As I pack our bags for our annual winter trip to Florida I remember the excitement I would feel as a child when it was time for our holidays. My brother and I would start counting sleeps weeks before our trip, eagerly awaiting to board the plane and see our grandparents and cousins. Since my Dad’s side of the family is in London (while my mom’s is in India) we often flew British Airways when traveling abroad, especially to India as their flights route through London. We would get a break from the long journey, see family and feel recharged for the flight ahead. Flying as kids we couldn’t wait to get on the flight and get our Sky-flyer backpacks. The flight attendants would quickly come over, check on us and give us little backpacks filled with books, crayons and puzzles. I’m sure my mom was just as excited that British Airways was helping her keep us entertained and occupied. In fact, she has such a positive memory of flying internationally with two kids in tow that when I started planning a trip to Mumbai (one of the five major cities in India BA flies to) with my toddler, she quickly reminded me of all the ways they helped her when she traveled with them. Whether it was small knapsacks, pilot badges or meals served early to children – she appreciated any and all help while traveling. Those thoughtful efforts left a lasting grateful memory for my mom.
Now that I’m a mom, I too find myself basing our travels around our daughter and the airline that will make efforts to make traveling as easy as possible for us.
Here’s some of my favorite ways British Airways makes flying internationally more enjoyable and seamless with my toddler.
- Child Fare: If your child is between 6-23 months and you want them to have their own seat you pay a child fare vs a full adult fare! For my taller than average exploring toddler this is a huge hit as she’s over sitting in Mumma and Papa’s lap.
- Baggage: When you have a child, you realize how much stuff they need. BA gives your traveling child an extra carry on AND check in allowance – so helpful!
- Entertainment: Dedicated TV channels, activity packs and friendly cabin crew help keep the little ones busy.
- Movies for Mumma: Once she’s passed out I can put a blanket over her, put my feet up and enjoy a Bollywood flick – a rare novelty at home these days!
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To help me pack for my travels British Airways offered to send me and one of my readers a special carry-on filled with reminders of India, flight essentials and an item of my choice that reminds me of home! The item I chose for my readers: the traditional masala dabba, a place to store all my spices I bring back from India. It’s an essential in my kitchen and a reminder of my roots every time I cook.
Giveaway Prize:
• Carry-on Luggage
• Kindle Paperwhite
• Indian Spices
• Mendhi Henna Kit
• Incense Wood Burner and Sticks
• India Calling Cards
• Masala Dabba
How to Enter:
Say in 5 words or less what the Welcome of Home means to you. You can tweet it by including @lovelaughmirch using the hashtag #WelcomeOfHome OR say it in the comments section below!
If you would like a second entry in the contest, just leave a comment on the Love Laugh Mirch Facebook Page in 5 words that say what the Welcome of Home means to you. Make sure you post directly on the page and use the hashtag #WelcomeofHome so I can find your entry! Can’t wait to see your responses.
The contest will close December 11, 2014 at 11:59pm EST and the winner will be contacted within 24 hours. This giveaway is now closed.
**CONGRATULATIONS to Winner Tina Mathur**
*No purchase necessary to enter. Prizes will only be shipped within the US and Canada. Winner will be selected at random. All entries received after the giveaway closing day and time will not be considered. Entries that do not follow the entry requirements will not be considered. Winners will be notified via email and will have 24 hours to confirm receipt of the email. If the winners do not reply within 24 hours, another winner(s) will be selected. Giveaways will be mailed to the winners’ address. This giveaway and post was sponsored by British Airways. All opinions and experiences are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that have relationships with Love Laugh Mirch.
For me “Home” isn’t a physical space or the typical idea of what one might think of it. To me it’s where I find my loved ones all gathered in one place, around someone’s dining table, in a living room or outside enjoying the few warm months in the park! For me home is a state of mind!
Hi Nisha – this is great.
Here’s my entry: Welcome of Home means a super huge smile on my mom’s face, my dad’s open arms, the smell of hot parathas and somehow knowing that everything will now be OK just being there! Nothing is as comforting as being the baby no matter how old I get! 😀
Hugs from My Three Boys
coming home to my baby!
Welcome of home is feeling like a child again, remembering favorite memories, having favorite food exactly the way I like and spending time with favorite people.
The welcome of home means ” My grandma’s toothless smile!”
Welcome of Home to me means ‘a tight hug from parents’
Happiness floating Around !
Love, laughs, and hugs 🙂
Everything: Love Family Peace
comfort, security and familiarity!
Spending time with family
heartfilled emotions, past memories, family… 😉
Where I find myself again !!
Yummy home cooked food!
Welcome of home
My family: my whole heart.
Mother
#welcomeofhome. My babies equal love.
HOME IS WHERE LIFE BEGINS
Joyful
Family, love, warmth, comfort, safety
Being enveloped in love
#welcomeofhome
Welcome of home to me means
“Being embraced by unconditional love “
Heart meets Soul = Home
zero judgment and infinite love.
Welcome home means ” a sense of gratification”
It’s a cliche, but home is definitely where the heart is 🙂
Welcome of Home to me is “world of love, laughter and happiness”
Welcome home to me, equals love, laugh, warmth, family, friends, and the feeling of being complete.
The scents of familiar foods.
Welcome home = warmth, family, smell of good food!
“Welcome home” is to “relish the priceless moments in life’
Walking in judgement free zone!
What it means to me is
Fuel for the soul
Love, laughter and memories in the making 🙂
Discovering myself all over again!
Welcome of home means…
“To return to childhood memories”
Hug in person not Skype
welcome home: the sound of feet running to the door and then bear hugs knocking you over before you’ve taken 3 steps in after a long day at work.
Welcome home to me means:
My inner child rejoices!
Welcome home means “a place where I can be me”
Home would be to me the place were my heart is. I know it’s a cliche saying, but it is totally true. My heart is with childhood friends who are still there for me as a na adult, the evergreen trees, small town charm, and family always around. These are the things that come to mind when I think of home
Sweet smell of first rains!
Light that feeds my soul!
Welcome home means ” surrounded by love, comfort ,happiness “
My head on mom’s lap!
Spending beautiful time with family
Love, Comfort, Warmth
Flying home to Mum n Mango’s 🙂
Here is my entry – welcome home means “love, respect, pampering, peace for all”
Feeling similar to a dog’s seeing his master – unconditional and priceless !!!
‘Unconditional Love and Happiness’
Being a mother, wife, daughter.
To Me Welcome of Home Means:
SANCTUARY, PARADISE, COMFORT, PEACE, and LOVE!
I say that because no matter how messy or hectic your home may be…even when you’re on vacation after about two days you miss it, whether it’s your bed, your family or the comfort…in the end you MISS HOME!
Welcome home means… tears in the eyes when plane is about to land!
Welcome home means happiness, love, hugs, and giggles!
Smile on my kiddos faces
welcome home means -“Embracing hugs from loved ones”
Intense love and huge smile on my face! 🙂
Family, friends, food, love, togetherness
Intense love, big smile!
“curve on your face widens exponentially ” :)))
Welcome home means “bringing in happiness forever”
Welcome of home: reconnection to culture, love, warmth.
Smell of mom’s home cooking!
Feeling lots of love.
Welcome of home means the excitement in my heart and the smile on the face of each and every member of my family member when I see them. The smell of my mom’s home cooked meal and coconut oil. The laughter and noises of chatter of all my cousins. Most of all, my childhood friends who mean the world to me.
Just realized 5 words or less:
Welcome of home:
Friends, family, mangoes, coconut oil and chennai :-))))
Family, family and family.
Welcome of home: 5 words or less
Family, friends, mangoes , coconut oil and namma chennai:-))))
Welcome home to me is a smile, hug, and a kiss from my baby and my husband. Seeing their face light up when I get back from a business trip or grocery store makes anyplace we live in a home.
Being at home takes me to total relaxation. No cooking, cleaning, ironing or even taking care of my three kids. My mom and siblings do it all for me. I really don’t do anything at all except enjoy the best food and quality time with the family and total relaxation!! I love it!!!
To be a kid again!!
Welcome of Home means I’m surrounded by all those that I love and those that love me! Home can be anywhere.
Abundant love and blissful chaos! 🙂
Head rest on familiar pillow
H: Host
O: Of
M: Magical-Memorable
E: Emotions
” ma pa my universe “
Head rest on family pillow
Great Blessing
#WelcomeHome means : Bright days filled with intens Llove And Care☺️
Feeling accomplished of gotten a freedom from all hassles of the day
Precious love ,laughs and hugss from family….
Welcome home for me means family, fun and mom made food!!!
Welcome to home for me is my smiling mom eagerly waiting in the crowd at the airport. She’s devotedly scanning people to make sure she doesn’t miss me exiting with her grandson 🙂
Where unconditional love lives.
happiness, warmth and peace
The smell of my 7month olds skin and hair, the warmth of my husbands arms around me, the sloppy kisses from my little puppy and my dad’s powerful yet protective voice letting me know I’ll always be his little girl!
getting tears of joy in eyes
tears of joy in eyes
Welcome Home is “the people”. No matter where I live, I go, it’s the people in my lives that make me feel at home, which is probably why I can never go anywhere for too long. I miss the loving warmth I get from my loved ones.
Home means – An awesome MOM, whom I value more after becoming a mom. Lovey family and a life king size!
Home is where I belong!
#welcomeofhome belly laughs from uplifting memories
Playing “airplane” with my son!
Welcome homes means : “Scent of familiarity and childhood”
Home is where mom is. Welcome of home means my mom’s hug and my dads hugs! Not to mention yummy fish fry and chicken curry from my mom’s kitchen!
Welcome home to me Happiness…warm hug n cute smile from my lil kidoos & of course tasty delicious home made food!!!
#welcomeofhome
Safety, during journey of life.
#WelcomeOfHome
It happens only in India!
#WelcomeOfHome = London Christmas with my beloved!
#welcomeofhome Hugs from daughter, own bed.
Back to my haven!
Familiar sights, sounds, smells and security!
This is a great giveaway! I am not participating since I’m running the same giveaway on my blog! 🙂
Home is: where I feel like myself
Release of outside tension
#welcomeofhome connecting with family and roots
Seeing my one year old smile!!!!
He makes my day….
#welcomeofhome is love and laughter and comfort with my immediate and extended family
#welcomeofhome means to me “a queen worthy reception at arrivals” at Indira Gandhi International Airport T4.
Family, fun and food!
You know when you’re there!