There’s a nip in the air and Christmas is just around the corner. Remember the times you wished as a kid, for Santa Claus to visit you at midnight and leave gifts for you under the Christmas Tree? And then waking up next morning to find them magically under the tree! Ah! The sweet memories of childhood!

The legend of the jolly’ol Santa Claus still makes kids (and us grown-ups) patiently wait for this time of the year. The joy of opening presents and the whiff of Christmas goodies makes everyone love Santa more. And we at DI surely make sure these memories are fun each year. Which is why every year, the weekend before Christmas, DI hosts the much awaited “Children’s Christmas Tree Party” for all the kids of the club. There are cakes, goodies, fun games and everything nice to make the event a memorable one.

This year the Christmas Tree Party was held on December 15, Sunday. The club, already decked up for the festive season, was all for the kids on Sunday.

A series of adventure games for the kids of all ages took place. While there was obstacle path & tricycles for 0-3 yr olds, there was archery, trampoline & rock climbing for 4-15 year olds and kayaking and zorbing for 7-15 year olds. After all, jumping, running, climbing, swinging, racing, yelling, rolling, hiding, and making a big mess—is what childhood is all about!

The candyfloss and popcorn area was the most favourite haunt, flocked by children and adults too. The sweet smelling buttered popcorn and tasty candy floss ensured a steady queue. If the kids were having fun, the parents too were not left behind. A steady flow of wintery hot tea and cakes were served to the busy mommies and daddies, while they answered some fun questions posed by the MC Barry Antunis. The winners took home chocolates too.

At around 4.30 pm, tea boxes were served and the kids rushed to collect their box of sweets and savouries. All that jumping and running around surely made them hungry. And suddenly they could hear that familiar chime of bells. With the sweet sound of Jingle Bells arrived dear old Santa Claus, jingling all the way...!  In the middle of all the excitement someone cried out “there is Santa!” The kids rushed to the jolly old man in his red suit and black boots as he walked into the main hall, Ho-Ho-Ho ing with laughter!

Santa Claus had arrived at DI with his naughty and nice lists making sure every good deed was rewarded. It took the organisers quite a few minutes to get the jumping jacks to sit in their places after which gifts were distributed to everyone. And this year, the gifts were extra special. As a part of DI’s Go Green Initiative, all the gifts were wrapped in newspapers. Also, potted plants were distributed to everyone. With this Santa taught the kids a valuable lesson of conserving and protecting our depleting natural resources. He leads by example for all of us to follow.

This wonderful day filled me with memories new and old. It took me back to my childhood. I still vividly remember attending the Christmas Tree Party at DI with my mother and I cherish even today. This year was special too, as I took my little boy for his first meeting with Santa.  Brimming with bittersweet emotionally fulfilling moments, I was thankful to DI for giving me a reason to celebrate all over again.