esa_morena

We went to 1+ year old niece's baptism today, and as is the custom, the tables are decorated with give away centerpieces, and other recuerdos were handed out as well. Recuerdos are bought at little specialty party stores in Latino neighborhoods and most people have custom made ribbons done up with the name of the child being baptized along with the baptismal date. For occasions involving small children, or babies, such as baby showers and baptisms the recuerdos, or party favors, are usually gaudy likenesses of angelic children, hands folded in prayer, or looking innocent some other way, maybe even outfitted in wings and a halo. In spite of the overwhelming large number of Latinos with dark hair and dark eyes, these gaudy landfill destined favors are usually blond-haired and blue-eyed. 

For the obligatory baby shower I threw for my sister-in-law many years ago, before her first daughter was born, I searched high and low for dark-haired babies to hot glue onto a piece of green tulle, which was then glued onto an alphabet block, filled with mint candies -- not my idea. Well the dark-haired baby was my idea, the rest, not so much; I was instructed as to what was expected of me by a friend who was a very experienced family party planner. 

Recently, it's been a past time of mine, to slip out of Latino recuerdo type parties without having one of these crappy little favors foisted on me by the kind and appreciative hosts -- people who only mean well by wanting you to not leave their party empty handed. Whenever I've not been successful, the favor winds up in a jacket pocket for a couple of days, then on the dinning room table, then moved to the mantle until I no longer feel guilty enough to throw the little bastard into the garbage where it will then be transferred to the end of Davis Street in San Leandro, where it will be tossed about until it no longer radiates innocence, only the questionable and dubious tradition of making sure guests feel appreciated and properly thanked, when dinner, drinks, cake, and good company should be enough.