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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

not to give out party bags???

60 replies

mummyloveslucy · 01/03/2011 17:44

Hi, we're having a party for our daughters 6th birthday this weekend. We're going to a victorian museum where they get dressed up, and have a toor around then have a birthday tea and play traditional games. Each child wins a small prize in pass the parcel.
AIBU not to hand out party bags at the end? It's just that I've run out of money, with it being before pay day and already I've had to borrow some from my mum which I don't like doing. I see them as a waste of money to be honest and most of it ends up in the bin. It's just that I've never been to a party that hasn't had them. The last thing I'd want is a queue of children lined up waiting for them. Blush

So what do you think, AIBU and will I be talked about forever more, or will the children still have a great time and not even notice?

OP posts:
MrsKwazii · 01/03/2011 17:47

The children might notice but if they say anything just point out that they've just had a lovely time Smile

Parents will all be very pleased not to have a small pile of plastic tat coming home and you'll hopefully set a trend. The party sounds lovely BTW.

Grabaspoon · 01/03/2011 17:48

Sounds like a great day - I don't think you need to give them party bags - but if you did feel like you had to, then what about a pencil from the gift shop.

StealthPolarBear · 01/03/2011 17:48

can you make some colourful bags to put the prize and a slice of cake in? And a handful of sweets if you have them?
Not saying you should do them, but it sounds as though not doing them is stressing you

worraliberty · 01/03/2011 17:48

I agree with MrsK

How do you know each child is going to win pass the parcel though? Not thinking of cheating by any chance are we? Grin

octopusinabox · 01/03/2011 17:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BlueFergie · 01/03/2011 17:50

Just tell them there was no party bags in Victorian times.

LineRunner · 01/03/2011 17:51

I salute you.

I took my daughter's friends once (just once!), for her birthday, to the theatre. It was a matinee. Their 'party bag' was the drink and snack I bought for each of them while we were there.

None were traumatised by the experience.

MrsKwazii · 01/03/2011 17:54

Grin at BlueFergie

anothermum92 · 01/03/2011 17:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 01/03/2011 17:58

Thanks, hopefully it'll be fine then. Smile

OP posts:
fifi25 · 01/03/2011 17:58

I wouldnt, i made up 30 party bags for my daughters birthday, cost a fortune and took ages. I would just give them nowt if i done it again Shock

StealthPolarBear · 01/03/2011 17:58

"You can always give them a lolly or ballon on way out"

Do you know, it has just occured to me that when people say this, they mean an inflated balloon?
I always thought getting an uninflated one wouldn't be tha exciting!

worraliberty · 01/03/2011 17:59

Lol @ bluefergie Grin

woollyideas · 01/03/2011 18:00

We never used to do party bags, but if we were feeling generous we would have a lucky dip when they were on their way home, which just had choccie bars etc. in it. We worked on the basis that it was the only part of the goodie bag they were truly interested in. The kids used to love it.

neolara · 01/03/2011 18:00

You will be applauded by mothers all over the land for standing up to the tyranny of party bags.

shemademedoit · 01/03/2011 18:01

I gave up on party bags long ago: I didn't want the kids to leave empty handed though, so I gave everyone a Kinder Egg. The kids were delighted! I live in France now, and partybags are unheard of: I gave some out once, and the kids were actually trying to return them because it wasn't their birthdays!

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 01/03/2011 18:04

I like the idea of saying "There were no party bags in the victorian times. Grin

I am taking a cake and they will have a piece to take home, so I'll probubly get some bags and put a piece of cake and their prize in them. I think I could even streach to a few sweets too. That way, nothing will be wasted and it won't cost much.

I've been to one party where there was even monsoon hair bits in each bag. Shock I can't compete with that, so I won't try.

OP posts:
Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 01/03/2011 18:07

The kids in France sound lovely!! Smile

OP posts:
fifi25 · 01/03/2011 18:08

i think you should put the cake in a doile (is that how its spelt) i dont know if they are victorian but would look more authentic.

shemademedoit · 01/03/2011 18:08

I used to spend hours and hours shopping for partybag crap. Reduced mini lego sets, pretty lipgloss... one year I even made each child a friendship bracelet. FFS. I'm sure they went in the bin and they took me ages to do. One small sweet and a balloon so they're not going empty handed is more than enough.

MrsKwazii · 01/03/2011 18:10

Cake = not empty handed. Even if you did send them away empty handed, they've just had a great time for free. Do not waver OP. Make that stand for us all!

ivykaty44 · 01/03/2011 18:13

I didn't "do" party bags, I had party with punch and judy and magician and each of the 25 children left with a piece of cake and a ballon in an animal creation. Not a party bag in sight.

I know what happens to party bags in this household and several others do the same- the children put the party bag in their bedroom and don't look at it again for 6 months till the cake is mould city and the party bag stuff

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 01/03/2011 18:13

O.k, It'll also give me the oppertunity to say "There were no party bags in the victorian times" Grin It'll also mean I don't have to go to the shops again.

OP posts:
Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 01/03/2011 18:15

My DD usually eats the cake in the car on the way home getting crumbs everywhere, then hads the rest to me. She's only interested in the grub. Grin

OP posts:
Jacksmania · 01/03/2011 18:18

doily :)

YANBU. Party bags are utter crap. I'd like to throttle whoever invented them. I like the idea of a choccie dip!