Here is a true Betaal story, for the Vikramaditya's of the world.
One of my dear friends, who is settled in USA for more than 15 yr now, was chatting with me.
And thus goes the story - around kids and their B'Day parties.
One of her daughter's friends (sub-10 yr olds) invited them for B'day party. Out of courtesy she asked, is there a particular thing the boy would like as gift ?
The mom of the b'day boy answers, "No. My boy has set his eye on a specific very expensive toy. And we are asking all our guests to pay cash instead. How much would you like to contribute towards it ?"
It was a bit of shock for my friend. How can some one ask for cash openly ? She was new to the concept of "Fundraising Kids B'day party".
If that expensive toy needs to be given to the boy, is this through this means ? On the other hand whats wrong ? We give gift cards some time, which is "cash" in a way. What if the toy becomes 10 percent costlier ? Will they invite 10% more people to the party ?
My friends comes home and asked her kid, "If you want that expensive toy for your B'Day, would you prefer NOT having a B'Day party and save the money and buy that thing instead?". The lil girl said honestly - "I would prefer the toy, even if it means we have no party and guest coming over for my b'day".
This brings much deeper questions to Betaal's mind. In both cases, little kids are more desiring the "Objects" than the fun of having their friends around ! In one case, it is being blatantly planted in to their head by parents innovations (Fundraisers B'Days) ! In other case, the kid is much more honest that she has to give up something to get something, but chooses to get the THING.
In my mind, an old fashioned one, having guests over for any reason other than enjoying their company, is a social crime. In the first case, there is an financial agenda in inviting the guests to the party. In the second case, which is much more noble deal between mom and daughter, there is a painful confession that even kids starting to love the objects than their own B'day parties !
One of my dear friends, who is settled in USA for more than 15 yr now, was chatting with me.
And thus goes the story - around kids and their B'Day parties.
One of her daughter's friends (sub-10 yr olds) invited them for B'day party. Out of courtesy she asked, is there a particular thing the boy would like as gift ?
The mom of the b'day boy answers, "No. My boy has set his eye on a specific very expensive toy. And we are asking all our guests to pay cash instead. How much would you like to contribute towards it ?"
It was a bit of shock for my friend. How can some one ask for cash openly ? She was new to the concept of "Fundraising Kids B'day party".
If that expensive toy needs to be given to the boy, is this through this means ? On the other hand whats wrong ? We give gift cards some time, which is "cash" in a way. What if the toy becomes 10 percent costlier ? Will they invite 10% more people to the party ?
My friends comes home and asked her kid, "If you want that expensive toy for your B'Day, would you prefer NOT having a B'Day party and save the money and buy that thing instead?". The lil girl said honestly - "I would prefer the toy, even if it means we have no party and guest coming over for my b'day".
This brings much deeper questions to Betaal's mind. In both cases, little kids are more desiring the "Objects" than the fun of having their friends around ! In one case, it is being blatantly planted in to their head by parents innovations (Fundraisers B'Days) ! In other case, the kid is much more honest that she has to give up something to get something, but chooses to get the THING.
In my mind, an old fashioned one, having guests over for any reason other than enjoying their company, is a social crime. In the first case, there is an financial agenda in inviting the guests to the party. In the second case, which is much more noble deal between mom and daughter, there is a painful confession that even kids starting to love the objects than their own B'day parties !
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