Party bag alternatives

[KenAdams]

Has anyone given or recieved a good party bag alternative? We get so many bags of random plastic shit that is never used so I'd like to do something different. Preferably not books as we've done that before.

I once bought children's mugs (from the pound shop) and filled them with sweets. That seemed to go down well.

We did Morrisons bubble wands last year with a few sweets and a bit of cake. The wands were only 50p each and the kids love loved them.

We did Tshirts one year. They went down well. Another year we bought one of those boxed sets of Michael Morpurgo books and have a book each - some of the kids were not so thrilled with those!

I did books (from the Works) last year - went down really well!

We have done a few themed ones, based on the type of party.

One was a cooking party so the party bag had a recipe, the thing they baked on the day, some cupcake cases and cake sprinkles etc. Things I knew would be used, and did not add up to much in cost.

We have done books several times, but with themes again, so "spot the..." books (like where's wally), picture books, secret seven books, art books (how to draw pokemon or whatever).

We had a lovely one which was a magic trick in every bag and another really nice one which was a crystal growing tree which people really liked. I have also had good feedback from a little craft kit from Hobbycraft in each bag.

I appreciate it when my kids only return with a slice of cake. One of my sons friends mum's never gives anything...son made one comment one year...now expects nothing. He still loves the party. (My kids also like being given a bar of chocolate!)

A helium balloon each to take home (you can buy the foil ones in packs and then inflate them with a helium canister). Kids love them. I don’t think it would work out any more expensive overall than a bag of random plastic tat each!
Plus a slice of birthday cake.

Drink bottle with sweets in it my boys loved it when they got that at a party.

Depending on age but we did Top Trumps packs & a piece of cake for my son’s 7th birthday.

Went to a party a few years ago where the kids were given a plastic character cup with a bit of cake wrapped in it and a balloon. Kids were around 2-4yrs old.

I did sweet cones for my DD 5th birthday.

Start a trend, ditch the party bags! When I was young (in my 50's) it was a balloon (not helium) and a slice of cake - fabulous and all the other parents will love you!

My DCs once got a little teddy and one of the party activities was to make little clothes/accessories for it (there were bits of felt for waistcoats, scarbes, bows etc), it was lovely.
Also paint pottery cafe, they each got the piece they painted instead of goody bag (the parents picked it up later obvs).
Another nice one was a mache reindeer from Hobbycraft or similar that they got to decorate (party was just before xmas).

Poundland bucket and spade or football.

We did paint your own money boxes recently for DS’s 7th birthday party, they were half price in Hobbycraft so were around £1.75-£2 each. That, a piece of cake and a couple of those small bags of Haribo - had some really good feedback from parents and children.

My DD has been given a craft activity a few times eg painting a sun catcher of the first initial of her name or make a fairy wand. This has been appreciated as she loves making things and really helped her calm down after the party!

We’ve had a couple of t/shirts, but as DS is usually 3-4 sizes above his age, he’s always disappointed.
I think one bag of sweets, one chocolate and a toy (party themed) so small football, lantern, fun snaps, squishie, nail varnish, craft thing is fine.

A lunch box with some sweets in it.