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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.

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