Gift an idea to your child

Pooja S. Banerjee

Don’t you wish you could take a single childhood memory and blow it up into a bubble and live inside it forever?
Sarah Addison Allen

The moment I read about this contest, I started spiraling down the memory lane at a breathtaking speed. Oh! And en route my journey to my most beautiful moment and place; beautiful scenes and enchanting souls kept passing me by. I was happy; staring at nothingness till my 3 year old daughter shook me up.

If I list down things I wish she could have from my childhood, I can go on and on about clear blue skies, chirping of birds in the morning and then again at dusk, rainbows, playing in the puddles, endlessly playing Ludo/snakes & ladders in a loop, eating junk food like candy floss or popsicles from the notorious "feriwala," playing in a huge group of children, living with so many people at home...the list is never ending.

If I have to single out one thing from my childhood that I wish my daughter gets to experience, it is being creatively social. Sounds strange?

Well, in our childhood, during special occasions such as New Year, festivals or teacher's day, we used to make handmade cards or small trinkets for close friends, families, relatives and teachers. These were then delivered personally to everyone and mind you, we used to go in large groups. So aunties, didis and parents of friends used to wait for our "toli" and treated us with special delicacies, chocolates and even gifts. Not only the build up to the D-day was exciting, but it was fun to sit with our mums or a most trusted aide and create something unique because we had to come up with the best idea and handicraft. The love and appreciation we got in return was priceless.

 

So those who know me will now understand my habit or rather need for adding that personal touch or making a tiny effort to create something for their special days. It’s a habit and an idea ingrained in me since my childhood.

 

Why do I think it's important for my child? Well, this small activity is very meaningful for a child. It stimulates their cognitive abilities and creative minds, teaches them to be a team player, and generates healthy competition. Most importantly it teaches them that festivals and special occasions are days which you should celebrate with your loved ones, do something to make them happy and above all spread love.

 

Because, at the end of the day it’s all about love, hope and life! Happy parenting and happy reminiscing :)