It has been a joyful week celebrating the birthday of my youngest daughter, a Gen Z born in the year 1998…
As usual, it is always a challenge figuring out what birthday present to give each year and it gets harder as they grow older. For the past few years, I have taken the practical short cut route by giving “Ang Pow” (a red packet filled with blessings and money) and asking my children to buy their own ‘present’.
This week, I have decided to give something as a momento birthday present and I have asked my sister to help me crochet an octopus keychain. Well, I was learning to crochet and wanted to make one personally but this toy has proven to be too hard for me, a beginner, to get it right.
I had no idea that the ‘Mood Octopus Reverso’ is such a top trending toy till my daughter’s reaction to her birthday present and I was also reminded of a few lessons:
- “Yeah, thank you Mummy. It’s so cute, I love it !” I have been missing out on such a lovely reaction over the last few years of no physical presents…Presents do not have to be fancy, a little token can go a long way and bring much joy.
- “Wah, Da Yee (auntie) is so trending, knows how to crochet Mood Octopus Reverso. ” My sister’s octopus design was very much influenced by her granddaughter who is only 10 years old, another Gen Z in a four generation family…There is so much we can learn from Gen Z, they are always full of great ideas.
- “Oh why is the reverse side not a “sad” face ?”I had intentionally put both sides with “Happy Face” since this is a happy occasion, not realising that this has defeated the intent of the “Mood Octopus”…Be authentic and face life with reality, there will always be happy and sad days.
Birthdays Connect Generations
Gen Z grew up in the world of the internet where everything is digital, be it social media interaction via smartphone; watching movies via Netflix; communicating with friends via Telegram…Their behaviors, attitudes and lifestyles are very much influenced by this “always on” connectivity.
I see that in my daughter…She may seem extremely busy with her final year of University studies, but somehow manage to always stay in touch with the latest happenings in the social media world. Whenever I approached her excitedly with my rare little discovery of a ‘news’, she never failed to engage with even deeper knowledge of the same subject.
Interacting with Gen Z helps keep the older generation in touch with trends and feel young at heart again, but it can also be daunting when our thoughts are very far apart. Is this what we call generation gap ? Whatever generation gaps there may be, there will always be an occasion that binds us together, and that is Birthdays !
Birthdays are more than just a special day of the year, the significance goes beyond just celebrating with our loved ones. It is also a day we come into this world and begin our lifelong engagement with the world. It symbolizes a life milestone and how far we have come, it is a day to express gratitude for what life has given us and be grateful to those who have been part of our life journey.
Some believe that wishes made on the special day are very powerful and my wish for my birthday girl is to make a positive impact to the lives she comes across in her life journey, and may she always be kind, well and happy ❤️.
Lyn 🌻😊
Lyn Wishing your Gen z daughter HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Wonderful to celebrate good moment together. What a surprise and unique gift. Glad u bond well with Gen Z daughter and share common experiences. Your daughter will surely do well and impact others. All the best
Thank you Eliza for your birthday and well wishes… I really appreciate your thoughtful comments, as always ❤️
Happy Birthday to JH!!!
I had no idea at all what ‘Mood Octopus Reverso’ is. Now i know ;). But i do watch movies via handphone and is on telegram, influenced by my 16 year old niece:). Mixing with the younger generation do help me keep in touch with the latest trends !!
Wow you are very trendy too SKL, way to go :).. and thank you so much for your birthday wishes ❤️
Happy birthday to your daughter! Wishing her best of health and happiness. Its such a thoughtful ‘forever happy’ mood octopus you have made for her. We tend to not remember many things but a certain birthday of a particular year. Hope this will remain in the hearts of your loved ones.
Thank you so much Viv for your birthday wishes. Indeed birthdays are always so special, especially with our loved ones.
May you always be well and happy too ❤️
When i am Reading this, i can’t help but wonder if your daughter reads your logs. I hope she does. The one thing i didnt do enough was to find courage to probe my moms thoughts when she was still around. I guess its harder for asians.. But it would have been so meaningful…
Thanks Yam for sharing your thought provoking comments, love it as always ❤️
Totally can relate with you, I feel the same… perhaps it’s indeed the Asian culture thing but I also feel this is starting to shift with the newer generations..
Yes I share my blog with my children too and the birthday girl especially know this week’s article is about her :). Haha she was debating with me that she is a millennial and not a Gen Z… well she indeed falls between the edge of both.
Lyn, Happy Birthday to JH. A small personal thoughtful gift is often well received. I love receiving a birthday card through the post than digital wishes. springxx
Thank you Spring for your birthday wishes ! Indeed, nothing beats the physical feel of it 🙂