Back to the Basics

The other day my friend and I were deep into a discussion about birthday plans for our children. We stopped abruptly when we realised that we were planning for events nine months away! That's how crazy the whole kids' birthday thing has become: the pressure to create a perfect (and expensive) fantasy experience for a child. Children too have become more demanding as they go their friends' extravaganzas and want the same for themselves. It was heartening to know, therefore, that in the current economic situation, birthdays too are being downsized. At last, some sanity. A chance to enjoy and celebrate without having to worry. Now all we have to do is break the news to the little angels themselves...