BACK TO SCHOOL TRADITIONS!

Let’s be honest, we are all dreading back to school. Rushing, nagging, Ubering the kids around, quick meals, ugh—its exhausting even thinking about it. And like many of you, I still don't understand why schools must start in August. Would it hurt anyone to start after Labor Day? C’mon. Growing up in Russia, schools always started on September 1. We were all dreading it and secretly hating it, but we had at least three months of summer.

Or perchance we could follow a German tradition, and then maybe children would be a bit more eager with the idea of school starting, sort of like an incentive. In Germany, every child gets a "Schultüte", or "school cone", a kind of cardboard cornucopia that is traditionally given to children on their very first day of school.

On the surface, the "Schultüte,” is a very simple gift: a large, decorated cone, filled with sweets, stationery and toys. But over the past two centuries, they have picked up a sole place in German culture, as a much-loved, profoundly symbolic gift from one generation to the next – one that carries a powerful cultural and psychological meaning. Even during WW1 and WW2 and in the rubble of post-war cities, and even during the times when Germany was divided, German parents always made sure school cones were made. During good times, the cones were filled with luxurious treats and during bad times, with potatoes, or simply nothing at all. But even then the cone was still a gift. To Germans, "Schultüte,” is the ultimate symbol of starting school and entering a new phase of life.

In my family, ever since Izabella started preschool, on the first day of school, she always receives flowers, just like my twin and I did, many moons ago.  She also gets to decide what is for dinner. When Izabella was little, I had a chance to steer her in the right direction but now I have no say, and I’m fine with it. It was always important to me then and now, that the first day is super special for her and she has happy memories, since she is going to be in school many years to come. As I look back on those precious pictures and compare, the bouquets are getting smaller and smaller and my “The One and Only” is getting taller and taller. 

To my darling readers and their children and families, I wish everyone the most glorious and safe school year.  

La Dolce Vita! Make memories! Enjoy life to the fullest!

Until next month!