Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Alternatives to party bags?

51 replies

fuzzledface · 12/01/2020 21:35

Any ideas? Are sweet cones the way to go?

I’ve seen books suggested but it’s so soon after Christmas I’m not sure!

OP posts:
hairyxmasturkey · 12/01/2020 21:36

How old are the children?

smallsausagedog · 12/01/2020 21:36

I'd definitely say books rather than sweet cones!

MrsJoshNavidi · 12/01/2020 21:37

I once gave everyone a pair of socks. It seemed to go down well.

AlwaysDancing1234 · 12/01/2020 21:41

Look on eBay or Amazon for brightly coloured drawstring backpacks, better than party bags and can be used for swimming kit/dance kit/ football boots etc. Usual cost £1 per bag.

PunkAssMoFo · 12/01/2020 21:43

I personally hate sweet cones. They’re already full of sugar from party food and cake and it’s such a massive amount of sweets.

Passmethecrisps · 12/01/2020 21:44

I suppose it depends on the age of the kids really. I have given books - packs from the book people were brilliant.

Things like seeds might go down well - my 7 yo DD would absolutely love that but it may not work with all kids

Mine like things which they can use/do. So maybe rolls of washi tape, a nice pen or pencil etc.

But the thing is you don’t need to get anything. They get a party and a piece of cake. Party bags are really not necessary.

champagneandfromage50 · 12/01/2020 21:48

we got the roald dahl books and gave those out, someone else I know handed out sticker books, someone else gave each DC a cricket ball, I went to a party and every DC got a t shirt

Sparrowlegs248 · 12/01/2020 21:50

Books, you can get them very cheaply at the works. 10 for £10. Mini bags of Haribo if you want to give sweets too.

Swearwolf · 12/01/2020 21:53

I've given books in the past. At the most recent party I bought a box of bubble swords on amazon, I think it was 24 for about a tenner, and everyone got a sword and a packet of sweets. So easy! And disposable...

Maryann1975 · 12/01/2020 21:53

I send dc home with a piece of cake and a small bag of sweets. I’d have been happy just sending the cake, but dd went to another party a couple of weeks before hers and got a bag of plastic tat (that was in the bin by bedtime) and wanted to do similar, so I got the sweets as a compromise.

Lekky12 · 12/01/2020 21:55

Like the sock idea! Our ds1 was 7 in Dec, we didn't do any bags or cake and didn't feel like I was being mean, they are such a waste when just plastic crap and a burden for the party organiser. My ds2 was 3 in Sept, we just did the little haribo bags, think the mums and dads took the most! Ds1 went to a cinema party with 2 others and birthday boy and got top trumps and a few other bits, top trumps were a winner as used again and again...

hauntedvagina · 12/01/2020 21:56

Books, pen and paper sets, super hero capes, water bottles, footballs. You can pick any of these up online for 1 or 2 pounds and they are much better received than sweets or bags of plastic tat.

clpsmum · 12/01/2020 22:05

I once gave out footballs instead of party bags. They were two for £5 in sports direct and realised I'd spend almost the Sam win crap to put in bags so at least a football was better value. Went down well with all the kids

Dollymixture22 · 12/01/2020 22:06

I keep trying alternatives (I’m in charge of party bags for niece and nephew) But they love those party bags full of tat😂.

I suggested books on year and my nephew was horrified. He has a bookcase full of books, and he loves reading, but not for a party. I also worry books is a bit of a smug middle class thing - look at me I will educate your kids and am sure you haven’t bought them this😬.

A small football each? Large bubble wand? For girls a bracelet kit with letters to make their names?

I got draw string bags and filled them with a few bits and bobs, sweets, pens, rubber, punch balloon, bubbles and some lol lip balm.

Equimum · 12/01/2020 22:09

I know what you said about books, but the Works have lots of the big sets of kids books heavily discounted at the moment. I got a set of 10 books for £6. I’ll put one each of those in a paper party bag, with a handful of sweet and some cake, and that’ll be them sorted.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 12/01/2020 22:10

Depends on the age of the children.

We’ve done traditional party bags with sweets, stationery and a puzzle or small toy that will last, inflatable toys, puzzle book and block of chocolate/maltesers, bubble wands etc.

Dollymixture22 · 12/01/2020 22:11

Sorry just realised my comments in the books was harsher then I had intended. I love love books. Great present.

tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 12/01/2020 22:14

I adore books and reading but I agree with Dolly.

We once did inflatable neon guitars for one of DDs parties, the kids loved them and all still have them - 5 years on! They were about £12 for 6 from Amazon.

tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 12/01/2020 22:15

Still think they're not fun enough for a party.

But realise I'll be in a minority Smile

Passmethecrisps · 12/01/2020 22:22

My dd once got wings and a wand - they were all given them to wear at the party and took them away after.

The inflatable guitars sound good

puguin86 · 12/01/2020 22:24

Recent parties I have been to

  1. Sweet cones - which immediately got hidden because they were already high on sugar
  2. A little packet of sunflower seeds and a pot - kids were a bit meh but I thought they were great
  3. Books
  4. Sticker books
  5. Colouring book and pens (much better than books)
  6. Small toy plus a sweet bag
  7. Animal mask and small toy
MrsA2015 · 12/01/2020 22:24

Colouring books and a novelty pencil. Depends on the age group, but defo no to sweets unless you’re able to cater to dietary needs then a home made cupcake/biscuit they can decorate to take home?

DecemberSnow · 12/01/2020 22:29

Depends on age...

Bubble wands are cool

Livingthedream12345 · 12/01/2020 22:30

My DD wanted a treasure hunt for her party, the treasure was a box of unicorn headbands...they all had one of those, cake and a kinder egg.

Notthisnotthat · 12/01/2020 22:30

We gave out hobbycraft paint your own piggy banks, they were down to £1.50, that and a bit of cake.

Swipe left for the next trending thread