... for Grown-ups :). This is what I explained to D & S about the "Tambulam" that we got when we went to attend a wedding reception. They were not very convinced even after I showed them the contents (coconut, betel leaf etc - which are of no relevance to them) and still insisted on lugging around the bags. Especially S, who actually kept a tight grip on his all the way on the long car ride back.
Even this morning, when he noticed both bags kept together, he asked me "Which is mine, and which is D's?" very upset that I had mixed them up !!
And atlast I understood how the return gift tradition might have started off - after all when it's steeped in our very roots, how can we expect children to not expect the same ;o !!
Even this morning, when he noticed both bags kept together, he asked me "Which is mine, and which is D's?" very upset that I had mixed them up !!
And atlast I understood how the return gift tradition might have started off - after all when it's steeped in our very roots, how can we expect children to not expect the same ;o !!
Never thought of it that way! Hmmm......:)
ReplyDeleteHehe sorry couldn't resist. This is my least favourite part of planning a party, so when the kids leapt for the tambulam bags yesterday a bulb came on :).
ReplyDeleteI don't mind giving gifts or kids getting return gifts at birthday parties. But when that's all that they look forward to in a party, no wishing the other person, no games, no meeting friends fun that's when it bothers me and I guess we as parents sometimes knowingly and sometimes unknowingly place too much value on the return gift aspect, it sort of becomes center stage when a mother tells her child "Beta, jaldi se ready ho jaa, appu ki party mein jaana hai, wahan return gift bhi milega". :-| I mean, lets not make that the focus!! A birthday party is a lot of other things!!
ReplyDeleteYes I agree Simran, I find it very odd when kids actually ask for their return gifts !! Thankfully D is still more enthusiastic about handing the birthday or wedding gift over herself - am hoping it stays that way :).
ReplyDeleteIt started off as giving a token of thanks and eventually down the way things got distorted and the return gifts started getting more preference than required. Sometimes there is stiff competition to match the other person's return gift! even during the navaratri haldi-kumkum occasions. The essence of the event is totally lost this way..
ReplyDeleteYes Uma, even the nicest things get so distorted when a sense of competition is brought in :(.
ReplyDeleteVery Cute Header Aparna, and very well thought of..
ReplyDeleteplanning a party is something good and gifts are more important
ReplyDeleteThank you Sharkara and Nisha :).
ReplyDelete