To ask if this is a good idea re party bags?

My DD went to a party that did this - it’s the only thing she’s received from a party that has stood the test of time and she still has it. It’s a good idea.

yes we did that at that age

I do this every year with my children's birthday parties. It probably works out similar price too tbh.
And my children have been to a few parties where they do this too.
A book, some cake and a bag of haribo/sweet cone.
Bish bash bosh, done.

I think it's nice. I have been to a few parties where books have been given out, nicer for the grown up than lots of plastic things which end up being chucked away. I think parents are being quite creative with party bags now, a lot of seeds, flowers, Easter eggs (at Easter). The most popular with my kids though is the sweetie cones.

I threw a Harry Potter themed party for one of my kids and the party bags had a copy of the book Quidditch Through The Ages, a chocolate and jelly belly beans in a Bertie Box Every Flavour Beans box. So a book and a couple of sweets. No one complained!

As a parent I'd be happy to get a good book as my child loves being read to, but I would rather have plastic tat than a badly written, poor quality book that I might be forced to read over and over again. I've heard of a selection of second hand books being offered, think I'd like that better than crap ones from The Works. My child is a bit younger though. If he could read his own book I wouldn't be bothered.

I did one year footballs from Poundland ( when everything was £1) I just filled a black bag - I think that was the best one I ever did . Kids left happy no stupid whistles and other crap the ended in the him a week later

I've done a book, small chocolate selection box and cupcake before. Easier than messing about with a squashed cake in a napkin.

I often did the book thing when they were little.. and as they got older a single gift related to the theme of the party (eg a climbing party they got a water bottle and clip..) still given at the end as a cue to fuck off!

Lots of people do books here, it's OK but the works ones can be quite rubbish and not great quality. I think you have to be careful which ones you pick.

I'd much rather have books than this, sorry. My kids have eczema so the bubble bath is a no, seeds are ok but maybe extra work for already stressed parents and I can't think of anyone who wants another random mug.

Totally agree about wrapping the books and having a 'lucky dip'

Absolutely. Been to a few parties that have just done this. I know kids like the plastic tat but at the age of 5 they are not going to be questioning things too hard.

I did this around that age.

In each party bag I put slice of cake and a Mr Man book as they were the right size for the bag. Might have put a ball in too. Stuff that’s not plastic tat, basically.

Well that makes 2 of us. It's not about the contents, it's the message behind them!

We did little buckets and spades once and that went down really well with a slice of cake in each one. Saw people using them at the park years after the party. Books can be a little hit an miss especially at that age with very different reading interests and levels.

Probably depends though how well you know the children. If it is six or seven close friends and they are all fairly similar stage/ interests it could work well. A whole class party the reception might be a little more mixed.

Great idea but I’d probably allocate rather than let them choose and maybe put it in a paper bag with the cake to just give out for speed/ease.

The name 'Fuck off' bag is fabulous! Yes, this is exactly what it is! I'm past party bags in my house but now this what they shall forever be known as!

We did the I-spy books for party bags one time - they went down well.

I did this with my kids 25+ years ago. Even just did cake sometimes. You'd get the odd comment from a child but parents grateful no tatt

My child is a reader. She would love it. Not all children are.

I would go with a bag of sweets.

I think that giving each child a book is a nice idea, but will only seem nice to the parents (and only some of the parents).

Bottom line is that you need to be thinking what would a 5yr old child actually want ? (rather than what you would like to give them)

5yr old kids want the 'plastic tat' I'm afraid, and you run the very real risk of making your child the butt of jokes for the foreseeable future if you give out books instead of 'toys'.

Give them what they want is my advice.

We always do books 📚 ❤️ Such a lovely idea and always well received. Yes there's a slim chance you might get a duplicate but that's no different to Birthday presents/other gift bags. I'd much rather get a book for my children than other stuff.

Friend of mine did this, books laid out on a table each book had a name tag of the child. Was really nice

Bubble wands always went down well, I think the Works are doing 2 for £1.50, they're also doing a pack.of 4 with seahorses at the top (I think they're £3).

I used to do this quite regularly. The Book People used to do brilliant bundles that worked out at about £1 each book. That with a piece of cake and job done! Parents appreciated it more than a plastic whistle and other tat.