It is becoming harder and harder mentally to sit down for actually typing out the thoughts for a post. Have to check if the siri can do something about this. Just dictate my thoughts and ask it to post!
Let me start with short updates. For any one interested that is - including me - reading this probably a few years later may be. I decided at the last minute to keep "golu" for Navaratri this time around. I always hesitated because the thought of a whole bunch of people and kids coming to my house all at the same time was overwhelming for me. Even now I don't know how I got through that day. I can handle two or three families at the same time. Not more. Unless I host a party outside at the park or at a venue. Cooking for every one and keeping the house clean and getting all the "vethlaipakku" (goody bags) ready, all while managing the kids and house alone seemed so overwhelming, especially after I decided to send out an evite to people. I thought to myself, "What did I just do? This means I have to go ahead with it! The invite has been sent out to a whole bunch of people!". Well, somehow I did it and it went well. Running to Lowes two days before the Golu and measuring out planks and drawing a picture of what I wanted, setting up the planks and arranging all the bommais (what ever few I had) and getting the kids involved in the process. It was hectic but it was a lot of fun.
The only part I still don't feel good about is the immense waste when it comes to giving little goody bags to the moms and the kids. I just feel like it is such a big waste. Even when I go to all my friend's houses for their golu, I just collect a whole bunch of those bags in the car. When I get home I just unpack all of them and half the items are little curio items which I don't know what to do with. Some items like little containers etc are fine, I can use them, but I seriously don't need them. I am trying to figure out a better alternative for next year. It may not be the best alternative but something I that doesn't make me feel bad. There were little memorable moments - which would have been fun to write about had I written this post earlier. For example, KG looked at the "wedding set" of dolls and asked me about it and commented earnestly, "Mamma, why does this guy look like an alien?". These were miniature hand made dolls that were delightfully crafted and dressed up in colorful tiny pieces of fabric. I really enjoyed going to people's houses with KG. She learned a bunch of bhajans from me and I realized that she is totally into singing and seems to have a talent for it. I hope she gets a good teacher and learns it well.
Next post - on KG's school change (she changed schools from last year, went to the new school for one month in Sep and again changed to another school from October).
12 comments:
Hi,
You can't do anything about what people give you but how about giving some stuff made by NGOs when you invite people over? Or thrifted stuff? Atleast that way you aren't adding to the waste!
Hi Aparna - yeah - that's what I meant. About what I want to give without making it seem like "Am holier than thou". I felt sicked by the big bag of stuff I brought for all the kids. At least the parents I gave something they were happy about and used (from what I heard). I wish the whole goody bag system would get abolished. Parties will be a lot more about meeting people than about what to give. I hate it.
Very true, i remember when i was in the US, our moms club decided to have bday parties with no gifts (only cards) and no return favours either. It worked out very well. Tho I wouldn't dare try it in Gurgaon :(
I so agree with you. I hate big parties, the concept of return gifts and so on. I do not like to keep getting plastic dabbas..what will you do with all those things ? Another thing that gets on my nerves, is people giving pictures/idols of Gods...there is only so many you can have in the house. To me it seems like more and more people are making the whole return gifts thing extravagant and too complicated :-)
So true noon. There was a bday party few weeks back and the kids came sulking over. Asked them why and they give me a small rose plants which the bday kid had given them. I had to explain them what a worthful gift that was given to them. It just takes a little to change but will mean a lot in the long run.
Oh noonoo ..pls pls post more often. Its such a delight reading about little little things that make up ur daily lives! I agree abt this whole big parties, big gifts and return gifts business. I wish it stayed about just showing ur feelings :(
very cool dude.
Aparna - I have to somehow come up with something where I feel OK about it. I do like indulging children - but this goody bag I don't even feel like it is worth the indulgence when I weigh the effort vs result (as in how happy the kids are or how long they play with it). I don't know how you managed to do it in your moms group. I am hesitating to bring it up because I really don't like the holier than thou types when it comes to the way some people talk...I probably think like that sometimes too but at least I don't want to outright offend people. People seem to thrive on this - what to give for vethlaipakku.
Ranjani - though it is a very serious and meaningful point - I laughed reading it - in your class straight from the heart way - you said it - what can you do with so many pictures of Gods! Seriously. I am uncomfortable to throw it in the bin and I don't want to keep stashing away a bunch of them in my tiny closet! I wish people would just give 25 cents along with the vethlaipakku. :) Enough, plenty if you insist on giving something!
Sumana - this is another thing - they don really care for the junk after 30 seconds - but still they sulk and mope if that goody bag is not handed to them! Kind of cute how they sulked though! :) About the rose plant.
Neera - once again you have motivated me to write. I hope to do so more this week just from this jolt. And you please do so too! No one seems to write these days - only two or three of my fav blogs - thankfully at least they are still writing!
Noon, I am waiting for KG school change update. What happened? Why did
u change within a month ?
Curiously yours
Ranjani
Photos Noonie! I have a huge bag of unused (never going to be used) blouse pieces after Navaratri. I loved the gift that Sumana received (a sapling). A very thoughtful gift indeed.
Hi noon,
I have missed your posts. Great to see you write again. And I cannot tell you how much I detest goody bags and this whole concept of return gifts. I think a children's book would be nice, or fruits/vegetables from your garden. My kids love Amar Chitra Katha and Karadi tales. I also share your stresses when having people over. Great job on pulling off your very first golu. Looking forward to more frequent posts from you.
--NW
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