I left India a few days before the big spring festival in Delhi. Holi is celebrated by sprinkling/dabbing/pouring colored powders on others and then dousing them with water. Disappointed that I was missing the festival, I was determined to bring a bit of it home. So before leaving India I bought Holi powders (arrowroot powder tinted and scented by flowers), bindis, henna, and a bunch of elephants which are believed to bring good luck and health.
Since someone special is turning six this week, I thought we'd have an India-inspired birthday party for her. We all wore our outfits from India, including MonkE who wore a darling sari we were given by the cousin of a dear friend of mine. Guests were greeted with "Namaste" and the bindi of their choice.
Our first craft project involved decorating simple elephant cut-outs.
Then we went outside where they sprinkled holi powders onto watercolor paper and then sprayed them with water. So beautiful! And they smelled fabulous too!! Just like a bouquet of flowers.
While those dried the kids were given samosas, banana raita, pappadums, and halva (a delicous carrot treat). For the most part they looked at the snacks skeptically and did their best to politely decline our offerings. "No thanks, I had a big lunch." Got it. The food was a stretch.
Of course they all found room in their bellies for the elephant cake :-)
Afterwards I decorated their hands with henna and then we turned their holi watercolors into peacocks which represent happiness.
(the henna on her right hand is still drying, once it's dry it flakes off and reveals the orange tinted design)
Each girl left with a little token from India! And the birthday girl informed me that it was the best birthday party. Ever.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!!! Wonderfully creative use of the Holi watercolors!
Posted by: Becky | 03/25/2014 at 06:39 AM