Wednesday, October 21, 2015

The birthday favor with a difference…



Planning birthdays…
It is such a daunting task. Being a creative mamma that I am, I am expected to raise the bar with every passing year. It’s the kinda of pressure I put on myself and I frankly enjoy the appreciation   that follows.
This year we were gripped by the Minion fever and hence the whole party revolved around the minion theme. Instead of a traditional party host or an over kill play zone, we hosted the party at home. The living room was transformed into a carnival. The idea was to get the kids involved. We laid down 15 game stations where kids could come and try their luck out. The activities ranged from coloring minion pictures to counting away candies.. From putting together a minion puzzle to fishing out minion cut outs from the pond.
For every activity they do well, the kids would earn a minion currency. This currency at the end of the day could be exchanged for prizes at the goodies counter. The living room was alive with activity with moms going gaga over the concept and the kids trying to do their best to earn more.. The party was a great success…

But my most favorite part about the party was the return favor each child took home along with the goodies they earned for themselves. Choosing a birthday favor is a different task in itself. A stroll down the Crawford Market and you understand how the Indian economy is being brutally murdered by the giant Dragon.
You are spoilt for choices, take your pick from toxic Tiffin boxes or substandard stationery. Just as I was trying to find the perfect gift in the mere budget of 100 rs. I stumbled upon a store selling pots. Just then I knew what I wanted to give away as a gift to these 5 year olds. I picked those pots up for 25 each, a steal I reckon.  

On my way back I made a quick stop at the local nursery bought, 7 bags of fertile soil, along with two packets of seeds for the cherry tomato plant. I was elated with my decision that in the world of BPA free only, I didn’t invest in some lame toy but instead bought something more valuable for the kids.
each gift bag contained a pot, some soil and tiny Ziploc with some seeds. The pot had the following label:



Vedant plated some seeds of his own on his birthday… Watering his plat is his duty which he gladly does every day after he gets home from school. At times I’ve caught him talking to the pot, asking the seeds to grow fast.  I still remember the day when the first green shoot broke out of the dirt. He practically got the entire 4th floor to come and check the new member of the Ramani family. Now that’s Real togetherness…
Other moms’ too had similar stories to share… 

Now we are all waiting to see our first batch of cherry tomatoes on out sills. Kissan too has a similar initiative, check it out and be a part of it…