To give a goody bag?

11 replies

Bettybooponeggshells · 05/11/2026 15:55

So my son is turning 12. He’s invited 2 friends to do an activity for his birthday treat.

Are they too old to have a goody bag?
My son (A) is autistic as is one of the friends. I know A would still love a goody bag but I’m unsure as to whether this would be considered ‘uncool’ .

I have got things like putty, fidget toys and slime to go in the bags. Will pop in a small bag of sweets too.

YABU- don’t give goody bags to tweens
YANBU- Give the bags!

OP posts:

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 05/11/2026 16:00

I really wouldn’t. If there’s something connected with the activity, you could give it - but not as a goody bag.

Alittlefrustrated · 05/11/2026 16:00

Seems fine - probably not next year though.
My ds is 16 - he wouldn't of turned his nose up at freebies at 12.

MommaMia26 · 05/11/2026 16:02

Have you asked him what he thinks? He probably knows best whether it would be something his friends would like (presumably if it’s only 2 kids coming then they’re pretty close friends, if it was the whole class I’d be more concerned about there being kids who are more ‘grown up’ and therefore more likely to tease him about things they perceive as babyish).
But my feeling would be that most kids love a goody bag and as long as the items are age appropriate it will be appreciated.

Jk987 · 05/11/2026 16:02

He’s only 12! Let be a kid a while longer and give the bags. Who doesn’t like sweets and slime?

northerngoldilocks · 05/11/2026 16:04

No one seems to expect a party bag at secondary but no one is sad to get one. Assuming they have similar interests it sounds fine

Brickiscool · 05/11/2026 16:05

Definitely give the bags.

C152 · 05/11/2026 16:28

Even grown ups love a 'swag bag', so I don't think you would be unreasonable to do one for your son's birthday, especially as it's something he would like.

MyMilchick · 05/11/2026 16:50

C152 · 05/11/2026 16:28

Even grown ups love a 'swag bag', so I don't think you would be unreasonable to do one for your son's birthday, especially as it's something he would like.

Was just going to say, I'm in my 40's and would love a goody bag 😂 Go for it OP

ColdAsAWitches · 05/11/2026 16:50

I wouldn't, but because there's only two of them, not because of the age. They're doing an activity, not having a party, so I wouldn't give them an "after-party" bag.

Favouritefruits · 05/11/2026 16:51

My eldest is 12 and loves a party bag still! He went to an Arcade type party last month and everyone got a party bag and didn’t think it was weird if uncool

Original poster

Bettybooponeggshells · 10/11/2026 18:07

Hi!
just wanted to thank you all for the advice. I ended up giving the goody bags and they were loved! I even ended up making extra for my older teens as they were gutted they weren’t getting one (they were also at the activity) 😂

OP posts:

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread