"Uncle, how much for that rose-printed greeting card?"
Once upon a time, shops would start overflowing with all kinds of greeting cards, big and small, from the beginning of December. Cards adorned with Mickey Mouse, roses, sunflowers, and teddies would instantly catch the eye. 🤩 Prices ranged from two, five, and ten to even twenty-five or thirty rupees, and saving up to buy greeting cards for friends was an unparalleled joy. 💗
Carefully counting the number of cards needed for school and coaching friends, I’d pick the perfect ones. Writing "HAPPY NEW YEAR" in pen on the envelopes felt like such a special task. The most beautiful card was always reserved for my closest friend. ❤
When school reopened after the Christmas holidays, I’d pack the greeting cards into my bag first thing in the morning. Meeting friends and handing them the cards with a big smile while wishing them a Happy New Year was a tradition I cherished. I’d eagerly wonder how many cards I’d receive in return. 😍 The cards my friends gave me were lovingly stored in my bag, and once home, I’d treasure them like precious memories. 🥰
Times have changed, and so have we. Instead of greeting cards, we now send messages to wish each other for the new year. But the joy I felt receiving a simple five-rupee card back then is something no expensive smartphone message can replace. 😔
Collecting cards was my little hobby, and even now, when I sit down with my old collection, opening each envelope feels like unlocking a piece of childhood. Those memories wash over me, bringing a bittersweet nostalgia that fills my heart with warmth and longing.
