Alternative to party bags?

[mayaknew]

That dont cost a fortune? Have about 20 kids coming ranging from toddler to 8.

Hate party bags they're such a waste of money

Big tubes of smarties - pound shop
Colour in fabric bags - the works
Books - book people
Sticker books - pound shop

Sweetie cones - I'm not a fan
Books - buy a set and distribute
Magazines
Lego surprise packs
Chocolate

How about just not doing it? I expect a lot of other parents would be pleased to be able to stop doing it too. Be a trend setter!

I normally make sweetie cones I'm not a huge fan but kids love them

I bought 10 books for £10 from the book people a few years ago. They went down really well. I hate all the waste and tat in party bags (but only got away without doing them once)

We give a piece of cake wrapped in a napkin to take home and make sure that all children have a balloon or a small prize or some sweets from a game. I buy brown paper bags and we decorate them beforehand.

Packet of Smarties and a piece of the cake.

I third the book people's collections. It works out about £1 - £1.50 each and its so much nicer than plastic or sweets!

Most recent party kids got birthday cake going home. That was it. I thought it was great.

Bar of chocolate. They're never disappointed.

I went to H and M last year and got a 2 pound
t shirt each. Went down a storm.

Books and slice of cake (book people multipacks if they're still going)

I've just started doing sweet cones/ bags now, you can get personalised stickers to go on them off eBay too, and I put a tattoo in each one too. The kids seem to love them!

What @tinselvestsparklepants suggests. Break free of the tyranny of party bags - they've had the party, that should be enough. The next parent will thank you!

Does your party have a specific ‘theme’ op? Even if it doesn’t you could bake biscuits and put icing on in whatever design you fancy, put in a little paper bag and done. I’m making PS4 controllers for my son 😎

Slice of cake wrapped in a napkin and a book. TMaxx/Homesense/The Works etc often have packs of 10 Maisie Mouse, Peppa etc.

My dd got a lovely drink cup filled with sweets at one party...loved that one.

I just bought a load of sets of books from the Book People for presents, party bags etc and it ended up 72 books for £50

I think it's a bit mean to suggest doing away with party bags completely as most kids really look forward to them, especially when they're little.
A bag of plastic tat is awful though, bad for the environment and keeps them entertained for all of 5 minutes. Books are a great idea or something crafty - Hobbycraft is great.

We just gave a little notebook and pencil, a wooden bracelet and some sweets. Kids loved them except one little beggar who emptied her stuff out, took the sweets and said she didn't want the rest

I think it'd be a shame to do away with a little 'take away' from a party completely- I remember loving a little gift bag when I was a kid-
Sweet cones, paper bags and book people are always a winner- slice of cake in a napkin-
(Kudos to @Clevererthanyou for making PS4 controller biscuits!! I'd be offering that service out if I were you, themed biscuits )

Best one we ever had was a compostable plant pot, compost in a ziplock bag and some cress seeds. I loved the parent.

The small pots of Play Doh with a little cutter, you can buy lots from Wilko or off amazon, Freddo, pencil and small bag of Haribo.

We always did "craft" parties when they were little - so they had a Bag with birthday cake in, and whatever they made.

Then from about 7/8 did cinema trips for a few, so they had a bag of popcorn/picknmix and a drink.

Are The book people out of administration now?

We’ve done matchbox cars, bubble wands, nail polish with manicure sets, handballs, dancing ribbons. All were well received.