GROWING up in the 1960s, there were traditions connected with festive seasons that still stick out significantly in my memories of childhood days. One of these was the giving and receiving of festival cakes and cookies that went on in our neighbourhoods. These and other traditions probably still exist but have evolved into different forms. Also, they have more likely become so predictable and routine that people just do them without thinking too much about their significance.

I remember the trays of festive goodies that would come from our neighbours during these festival seasons. Someone from the family next door or down the street, usually a younger person, would march up to our front door with a very important look on their face bearing in their hands a candy tray with different compartments, covered auspiciously with a beautifully embroidered lace cover. Bits of kuih baulu, jam tarts, ghee biscuits or love letters would peek through the eyelets in the lace, promises of the delights in store for us as we received the tray with both hands from the person at the door. It was a solemnly important event, this giving and receiving of festive cookie trays. We thanked the giver, wished them Selamat Hari Raya, Happy New Year, Merry Christmas or whatever the occasion warranted and asked them to wait in the living room or wherever was available. It was an important wait and the bearer of the tray sat basking in his own honoured position for several minutes while waiting for the tray to be returned. We had to return the trays immediately because they would be needed for the next house and the next giving. This was not yet the age of plastic bags and convenient disposable packs.