Alternative non plastic party bag - hit me with ideas!

[spikemomma]

Can't abide the waste associated with plastic party bags, which get ditched within seconds of leaving a party, yet i don't want to choke the delight out of receiving one.

Only need about 6-8. Can you suggest an alternative, like paper, cloth, cardboard box... so the kids will love them?

What's an alternative?

[kimbles1984]

send a plant pot home with them instead with a seed in they have planted themselves, and they can decorate the pot too would depend on where you are having the party though ??

[MollieO]

Paper. I got some off a website last year. Very sturdy and you could order a range of colours. Or you could make them as you don't need many.

[cyb]

If you have any double video boxes around, wrap them up in wrapping paper but not completely (3 of the 4 sides), slide out video and hey presto you have a gift bag

[AnnieLobeseder]

I get paper ones from partypieces.com. I got the pre-filled ones last time, saved me loads of effort!

[trixymalixy]

For my son's pirate themed party I gave the kids little cardboard treasure chests. he still plays with his months later.

[Hulababy]

Still plastic - but not of the bag variety : One year I did plastic beakers. Half filled them with tissue paper, topped them with a mini fairy cake and added 3 or 4 small trinket toy thinks. I then wrapped them in cellophane and tied in a bow.

Last year I bought small plain white cotton bags. The favours inside were things to use to decorate the bag - ribbon bows, fabric pen, sequins, small genstones, etc.

[thisisyesterday]

just don't do them! i did none at ds1's last party and none of them batted an eyelid

i was going to get them each a helium balloon with their name on, but i forgot

[kimbles1984]

i like trixymalixy idea! my kids would love them

[LynetteScavo]

I'm planning on getting some paper ones from a really nice party website. can't remember which one now...

[moocowmrs]

I bought small canvas bags from the clever baggers they was very cheap for a totally reuseable bag the children loved them put their names on in fabric pen and a little picture boys got cars the girls got flowers pop in small gift bubbles or may be a packet of seeds at this time of year, does not have to be a whole packet put a couple in a envelope with a little pot !

[LynetteScavo]

here

[MollieO]

What a lovely website LynetteS . Definitely be using that for ds's party.

[spikemomma]

Wow ladies, thanks for the speedy responses - you're great! I meant to say it is for an all boys party. I doubt they'll even batter an eye lid as they will be too busy play fighting! (sigh).

[Meglet]

I agree.

You could see if a market stall would sell you a handful of brown paper bags. Your dc could decorate them and they can be easily composted when finished with.

Seeds are nice idea for party bags

[Ivykaty44]

A packet of cress and a plant pot

[tootootired]

Paper bags from ebay, I filled up with:piece of cake, balloon, pencil, stickers.

(That was about 3 parties ago when I was still bothered)

Also the Horrid Henry kit from Book People is quite good if you can get the £15 deal - you can only use it once though!

[trixymalixy]

the kids absolutely loved these

[Jaybird37]

I did not give party bags for my kids parties. I think they are a huge waste of money. My hospitality and the party is the reason they come just like grown-up parties.

I have to admit to getting mixed reactions. One mum told me that she admired me breaking the party bag tyranny.

Another mother phoned me to let me know that her son had not received a party bag. When I told her he had not been left out, I just did not do them she told me not to worry; she had sent her husband out at 6pm on a Saturday night to buy him a replacement. I assured her I was not worried.

[liliputlady]

You could have a lucky dip on the way out - no need for wrappings just box full of shredded paper for them to pull prezzie out of.

Instead of a goody bag you could use a cheap pencil case with sweets in, a boy's wallet, a themed flannel(eg. Superman)bunched round a small bag of sweets.

Or, even simpler and have no goody bag!

[blowninonabreeze]

I recently made cotton draw string ones after seeing the on this site

I did use that site for some of the filling and was very impressed with their service

[Riponite]

I got big helium balloons off Ebay - whale ones as DD wanted Snail & The Whale party - and got them blown up in town. They got one to take home plus a tiny present out of the pass-the-parcel. We just ate the cake at tea, it seemed easier. Everyone seemed pleased (children aged 5)

[frazzled74]

last year i gave small present for each guest skipping rope for girls and small football for boys, cost £1 each and kids all seemedd happy.

[neolara]

We had fabric bags which the kids drew on with fabric pens as part of the party.

Although one little boy did ask on leaving "Where's the party bag. No, not this (fabric) bag. Where's the bag with all the good stuff".

I HATE the tyranny of party bags.

[Jamieandhismagictorch]

I did gloves (groovy ones fro H & M) with sweets/choc in for DS1 s (9th) Winter birthday - went down very well with DCs and their mums

Just done socks with sweets/chocs in for DS2s (7th) birthday.

Very cheap to buy multi packs from Sainsburys etc