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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not bother with party bags?

88 replies

JanetPlanet · 11/03/2011 10:31

My temporary contract has ended so I'm not working and I resent having to spend money on frigging bouncy balls etc when I've made an effort on food, drink, balloons and cake. However, my sister says party bags are expected and her kids will be 'devastated' if they don't get one!
Sorry if this issue has been done to death.

OP posts:

theredhen · 13/03/2011 03:35

Don't bother with party bags, kids don't really like them as they're full of cheap shite low quality toys and the parents just end up with more stuff to tidy away.

Triggles · 13/03/2011 08:28

tes.I am determined to avoid party bags. Hate them, hate them! Since I grew up in the states, I have a ready-built excuse if anyone is rude enough to ask... party bags? Don't know what you're on about... we didn't do them in the states! Although I am used to the cake being eaten at the party. Seems odd to me to send it home with them instead.

whoneedssleepanyway · 13/03/2011 08:32

DD1 went to a party recently and all the girls were given a little box with a cupcake in surrounded by a few sweets, was more than sufficient. Think they just like a little something to go away with.

Onetoomanycornettos · 13/03/2011 08:37

Well, YANBU at all not to want to avoid the whole party bag thing, but I have to say that round here, it's still the usual thing, and so if you don't want hordes of children going 'where's the party bags?' then having a least something to make them go away (balloon/cake/tiny pressie) is a good idea. I don't think children are necessarily being grasping by asking for them, they are just the norm, it's like asking when the birthday cake is coming, or are they playing musical bumps.

I hate party bags, but actually I hate big parties even more (the last two have scarred me and I am not doing more). So, hopefully party bags will die a death with the big party and we will not have to think about it again!

mummyosaurus · 13/03/2011 08:46

I've missed what age the kids are?

I think a party bag is expected by the kids. I completely agree they are ridiculous waste of time and money but I would be too chicken to not have any. I think my kids probably would notice, because they have got used to getting them (they are 4 and 6). They would not be devastated if it was someone else's party, but if it was there party and someone commented on no party bags they might be upset?

For DDs 5th birthday I wrapped up a sticker book, a piece of kids jewellery (which I got in bulk in a sale months before) and a chocolate bar. Got lots of comments how well the sticker book went down (from book people). This did probably cost more than party bags but it wasn't tat.

Could someone organise a revolution against party bags and prises in every layer of the pass the parcel? I'd join it. Back to the 70's style of party.

mummyosaurus · 13/03/2011 08:51

Just thought of another thing.

At DDs 4th party they made spoon puppets. Tesco Value wooden spoons, wool for hair, cut up old blouses for skirts, they loved that and it was something to take home. Quite labour intensive though...

TheBolter · 13/03/2011 08:59

Oh dear. My two must be real grabby little brats because they love party bags!

mummyosaurus · 13/03/2011 09:05

The bolter you are just more honest than me

girliefriend · 13/03/2011 20:30

I also sadly quite liked putting the party bags together for my dds party and my dd had spent much of the afternoon playing with the plastic tat toys from a party she went to ystd!!!

Original poster

JanetPlanet · 13/03/2011 21:01

Vive la revolution! Out with party bags and out with a prize in every layer of the pass the parcel. Ds is only 2 and this will be his first birthday party. Most of the little ones coming are 2ish so I'd only be doing bags to keep my sister's older kids happy. All this kids party etiquette is new to me.

OP posts:

isoldeone · 13/03/2011 21:34

My son was given a party bag at nursery as one child was cElebrating his birthday and mum wanted the other kids in the room to celebrate at nursery. It was handed to me as he was not in the day if the childs birthday. The child was one...my son was about 16 months old. Lovely sentiment. I thanked the mum when I saw her although it took me a couple of weeks to work out who she was and actually bump into her at drop off/ pick up. Lovely but tres bonkers! It contained toy raisins snacks and stickers !

pantaloons · 14/03/2011 11:29

isoldeone, that reminde me of a girl in DS's class (yr1) whos Mum did party bags for the "whole class", but was 3 short. There was 3 very unhappy bunnies (including ds) that day and possibly 3 releived mother's!!

DastardlyandSmugly · 14/03/2011 11:56

It was my DS's party on Sat and, as a mum who is fed up with the pastic tat you normally get, I worked really hard to make sure his had stuff in that people would like. Everyone had a book, a sheet of tatoos, a badge and some sweets. They really went down a treat and I really enjoyed making them.

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