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Party bag etiquette - does this sound OK?

14 replies

IDreamOfPuffins · 29/07/2015 20:32

DS's 1st birthday is coming up soon. I wasn't going to bother with party bags, but DH insists we have to because his sister's kids will expect them (they are 6 & 4). My sister's kids are coming as well, and are aged 2 & 1. My sister doesn't especially want her kids to grow up expecting party bags etc, but obviously it's not fair to leave them out (which was DH's original plan).

Anyway, I'm not letting DH organise this as he'll spend a bloody fortune on crappy junk, but I've been to very few children's parties so I'm not totally sure what to do. I don't want to give them stuff that will just break or be chucked out, so I've thought of the following (there's a vague Very Hungry Caterpillar theme to the party):
A craft kit to make a caterpillar bookmark (lollipop stick, pompom and googly eyes), with instructions
A caterpillar made from grapes stuck on a cocktail stick
A butterfly made by filling a sandwich bag with sweets/fruit and then using a clothes peg to pull the middle in so the "wings" firm with the sweets/fruit in
A craft kit to make a caterpillar which turns into a butterfly (involves more lollipop sticks, googly eyes and pompoms)
A piece of birthday cake

Does that sound OK? The 1-year-old might get a version with rusks or something instead of sweets. I thought the craft kits would be a fun thing for the kids to do when they get home.

Would your kids be happy enough with that, or think it was a bit naff/rubbish?

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scrivette · 29/07/2015 20:39

All sounds good - although I would be wary of the cocktail stick with small children!

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IDreamOfPuffins · 29/07/2015 20:44

Yes, I'll cut the end off once it's threaded through, and warn the parents.

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Toffeelatteplease · 29/07/2015 20:53

Your party bags sound very smart ..... and dull as ditch water.

I would hate the craft sets... Over excited kids and fiddly craft kids do not a fun evening make.

I really dont get the anti party bag thing. Kids love the little naff and tacky bits you get in party bags and they are fantastic fun.

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Happy36 · 29/07/2015 20:56

That sounds amazing!

Usually party bags are just full of sweets, though. e.g. Chupa Chup, edible necklace, mini Mars, slice of birthday cake.

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CactusAnnie · 29/07/2015 20:59

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BikeRunSki · 29/07/2015 20:59

At 1, I wouldn't do party bags.

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freddyfucktard · 29/07/2015 21:24

To be honest that sounds great to me but only for older kids, 5+. My son would love the fruit! But as you are doing it for littleuns I would suggest a pack of crayons, a mini colouring book or pad, bubbles (who doesn't like bubbles?!) a pack of fruit would be great and perhaps Chocy buttons for the tots and a pack of sweets for the older ones.

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IDreamOfPuffins · 29/07/2015 21:51

Thanks for the thoughts so far. The two older ones do love craft, and the older one would be able to help the younger one. Making the kits is not a problem for me, as I'm doing a load of similar ones anyway for something else, so it's just a case of making a couple more.

Obviously the younger two wouldn't get the craft bits, and would get fruit instead of sweets.

Bubbles are a good idea; I'll get some of those. Not sure about a pack in books - there's quite an age range to suit. Will look for little colouring books or something too.

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PrincessOfChina · 29/07/2015 21:54

Honestly? You're over thinking it. Off to Poundland with you Grin

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Reastie · 06/08/2015 15:13

Agree with princess, it sounds wonderful but don't worry so much! Pound land is amazing for tat great stuff for this purpose. They have usually a nice range of books too so you could get an age appropriate book for each and that'd be enough? Stickers are always good too.

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Noobylola · 27/08/2015 03:56

Way over thinking. With kids stuff the tackier the better. Think sparkly stickers, mini cars and boxes of crayons. Putting fruit in party bags is like giving out mini toothpastes at Halloween. It just spoils the fun.

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ChristineDePisan · 27/08/2015 04:18

Sounds more like a picnic bag than a party bag

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Fuckitfay · 27/08/2015 06:05

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Candycoco · 27/08/2015 07:01

Some nice ideas but in reality hard work for you and for the parents after the party who won't won't to do craft straight away.
Party bags should always be cake, bubbles, sweets and a little toy Smile

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