What’s the etiquette here?

[Didntseethemountain]

DD invited a relatively small number of her friends to her birthday party a few weeks ago. Party is happening on Thursday afternoon. One friend said she couldn’t make it. I bought and packed party bags. Her friend’s mum has just contacted me to say that she can make it after all and I don’t have a party bag for her. This week is crazy at work - I’ll be working until late and I can’t escape to get back to the shops. What’s the etiquette? I can’t just not give this child a party bag…? The mum says that she thinks the child won’t notice, but I’m not sure how she could possibly not notice… 😬😬

Well, if you can’t get her one, you can’t. I wouldn’t think twice about it, OP.

Can you split the bags you have into bags plus one?
How old are the children? Old enough to get one next week?

I usually forget to give them out and no one gets any thing!

You can’t not give one child a party bag! What have you put in them? Can you divide the contents between one extra bag? Order something from Amazon that will arrive in time?!

Can you give her your child's one? As she'll have presents anyway.

If you have a party bag for your DD give it to her friend instead. If not you'll have to tell the friend you'll get it to her when you can.

Rookie mistake - always have spares!

Yes give her your childs one and make your child one afterwards.

I’m sure you can get the same or similar from Amazon or a supermarket this week though? Even if it’s on the day?

What's in the other party bags? Can you do a party bag lucky dip instead? Empty the party bag contents into a bucket, add shredded paper, each child has a dip at the end of the party and takes 2 things (or however many items based on what you have already)? Then noone gets a party bag but everyone gets a 'party bag-esque' gift and noone is left out...and you don't need a trip to thr shops?!

Pray one of the others doesn't turn up?!

Seriously, the lucky dip or giving your dd's bag would get my vote.

Well, I'm clearly an awful mum. I've never made my DC a party bag for their own party! Is that a thing? I always thought of them as a "thanks for coming, go home now" gift and DC has presents from the guests.

Amazon Prime

My DD has always had her own because from 3+ when she started to have parties it was far easier than trying to tell an overtired preschooler they can’t have one. And now it’s just something we do. They only cost a few quid and we always have enough for random
siblings or catastrophes.

I haven't either @Redragonoteal, only mentioned it because some else did. Figure dc gets plenty of presents so doesn't need a party bag too.

Had another thought @Didntseethemountain - go retro, just give them a slice of birthday cake wrapped in a paper serviette and a balloon (bonus points if it sticks fully to the cake and/or the cake takes on some of the serviette's colour).

Your options are

• hope another kid doesn't turn up.
• give her your own kid's party bag
• do the lucky dip thing
• sack off party bags altogether and let your kid keep all the stuff.

The most likely scenario is at least one child won't turn up anyway so you can use their bag. You absolutely can't give all the guests but one a party bag though!

You’re right, and I’m an idiot - I’d forgotten that I’d counted DD in the party bag tally. Phew! She can have DD’s. More speed, less haste, etc…

This is why party bags should be minimal- cake, bottle of bubbles and a few sweets. All the plastic crap gets lost/trashed anyway.