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Better Homes and Gardens is more than a magazine, it is an institution. It was first published in 1922 as Fruit, Garden and Home, but two years later the publisher E.T.Meredith changed this uninspiring title to Better Homes and Gardens. Since then it has commanded the lifestyle market with ease.

What is it about this colorful, glossy magazine that makes it such a favorite around the world? BH&G was even launched in China in 2006, with a typically western child lounging on a typically western candy colored sofa on the cover. Here in Australia, we have our own version too, which is aligned with a highly popular lifestyle TV show. It seems Australian audiences can't get enough of BH&G.

What does a typical issue contain? In Australia, the outdoor lifestyle is favored because of our climate, so you will find a lot of gardening tips and backyard makeovers. Australians love their backyards and their BBQs, so hardly an issue or a TV episode goes by without some reference to outdoor living.

The TV show is a great adjunct to the magazine. The magazine comes out monthly, and the show is broadcast weekly, so each episode of the show goes into depth on the articles contained in the magazine. The show fires your imagination and your creativity, and the magazine gives you a permanent record of the tips and ideas presented.

The personalities associated with the show are like old friends - cooks `fast Ed' Halmagyi and Karen Martini between them present a stunning variety of dishes. Some are highlighted in the show, but when you buy the magazine, there are so many more, and all look delicious.

Vet Dr Harry Cooper is one of TV's most popular personalities in Australia,with a wealth of information about pets, and horticulturist Graham Ross lead the charge for better gardens with landscaper Jason Hodges. Around the home, DIY expert Rob Palmer and interior designer Tara Dennis come up with fabulous ideas.

But the true BH&G fanatic doesn't stop at the local product. We also visit the US website to keep up with what's new there in home and garden design, recipes and crafts. Over Christmas, for instance, I found some terrific ideas for decoration at the US site.

Better Homes and Gardens is truly an international phenomenon, tailored to the needs and interests of local home makers. It's the kind of magazine that gets saved and archived, because the issues prove useful year after year. I particularly love the holiday issues, especially Christmas and Easter. Not only does the magazine come up with great craft ideas, but often includes a giveaway, such as Christmas craft paper, a sheet of decoupage images or even small craft its. You can never run out of ideas or inspiration for gifts and projects if you have a stack of BH&G magazines to browse through.

Learn more about this author, Gail Kavanagh.
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