It was the usual celebration at Latika this year, except that, also as usual, the turnout was twice as large as we expected. But we had it covered for once.

Last year, we planned for 100 (our usual attendance in December is 50) and 150 came. So this year, we decided we would finally beat the multiplying bunny rabbits of Vasant Vihar at their own game. Knowing it would NEVER happen, we planned for 250 this time – Shaila and her parents sat up for hours the night before and packed 250 gift bags (so elegant! – plain brown paper bags with a little sprig of holly and berries adorning the top) for the 150 children we thought would turn up.

Surprise! The word must have gone out somehow that more was to be had this time around because we handed out – count em, 246 bags.

Lucky for us, two strapping elves accompanied Santa for the handing out ceremony and their mere presence kept the kids in line and suitably awed.