In this month of tricks and treats … as well as Treat Yo Self Day (October 13th), I started reflecting about little ways I was “treated” as a kid. We’re not talking manicures at age four; did that kind of thing even exist? (For the record, I had my very first manicure at age twenty-three, and that was a big deal because I was standing up in my friend’s wedding.) Not to say I haven’t made up for lost time since then, but if you are Gen X, you just know that life wasn’t as extravagant back then. Our parents threw us birthday parties that probably cost a total of ten bucks at the most, and those parties were the best. Homemade cake, pin the tail on the donkey, clothespins in the jar. There were no indoor trampoline parks or water parks or elaborate balloon arches. (Insert grumpy old man saying, “And we liked it that way!”)
Well, honestly … we did like it that way.
When I think back on special gifts and treats when I was a kid, and here’s what first comes to mind:
My first-grade teacher Sister Joanne giving the class a few M&Ms if we were good.
McDonald’s Day at the end of the school year! We’d all eat outside on the front lawn. I felt so darn special because I got a strawberry shake. That was first-grade boujee.
An extra afternoon recess when the weather was particularly nice.
The eighth-grade field trip to Six Flags Great America.
My Footloose-themed birthday cake in 1984.
My own little grasshopper drink (with my parents) at the bar after a Friday night fish fry. (It was Wisconsin … perfectly legal and acceptable, as it should be).
Hostess Snoballs with green coconut shavings (for St. Patrick’s Day).
A fudge egg with my name scrawled in icing (for Easter).
Mom buying all the back-to-school magazines for me.
Popsicles made from frozen orange juice in the ice cube tray.
I’m sure I’m missing a ton more, but feel free to share your simple childhood treats in the comments.
Cheers to simple pleasures, everyone.
