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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not do party bags?

60 replies

curiousgeorgie · 18/05/2014 18:26

My DD2 is turning 1 next month and we've been planning a massive party for her. It's been a lot of planning and a lot of work. 60 - 70 people, marquee, face painter, magician, bouncy castle and I've put a lot of time and effort into the theme and decorations.

I'm thinking about party bags and all the children are different ages, it varies wildly between newborn and teenagers... So all the bags would have to be different. It feels like a total pain in the arse, wibu to just buy the beautiful carriage cake boxes I've seen Wink and not do bags?

OP posts:
Igggi · 18/05/2014 18:35

If I didn't recognised the poster I'm afraid id think this was a wind up!
Why do all this for a first birthday?
To answer your question, small children seem to have a complete faith that a party bag will always be provided. Doesn't have to contain much, just has to be a freebie.

CoffeeTea103 · 18/05/2014 18:37

Yanbu, your party sounds fantastic. They will get so much more out of the day with the activities and games you have.

Objection · 18/05/2014 18:37

Err... For a FIRST birthday?
You're kidding?
For a third or fourth maybe but your planning all this for a first.

Seems a bit OTT.

But on the point, YABU. Party bags are expected.

PlushSuppie · 18/05/2014 18:38

Turning 1?
Well if you've put all that completely unnecessary effort in, then it's a shame you can't be arsed to do party bags.

Thomyorke · 18/05/2014 18:41

You will have to let the guest know or there will be children hanging around at the end. Just put the cake in bags with a balloon.

MarathonFan · 18/05/2014 18:42

I agree this is madness for a first party but as it sounds like a family party (like a wedding) rather than a kids' party i don't think party bags Will be expected.

If it is a proper children's party then yes you need to do bags but they only need to contain a few sweets

littlemslazybones · 18/05/2014 18:42

A big party and no party bags?

All fur coat and no knicker IMO.

Bearbehind · 18/05/2014 18:43

Blimey, if you're setting the bar that high for DD2's first birthday, I can't imagine what you'll be doing for DD1's next birthday- as she'll be old enough to have a clue what's going on won't she- party bags are the least of your worries

Nicola19 · 18/05/2014 18:46

Definitely got to do party bags. If only for the fact that it signifies to everyone it is Time To Go Home.

CrockedPot · 18/05/2014 18:48

I didn't do party bags once, deciding that they were full of throw away tat that only ends up in landfill. Never again. The sight of all those confused children, coming up to me saying 'but where is my party bag?' And parents shaking their heads in disappointment... You have to do the bloody things.

SweepTheHalls · 18/05/2014 18:51

Do helium balloons, great decoration and all kids like to take one home! Smile

ICanSeeTheSun · 18/05/2014 18:52

Asked my 8 year old and he said 'what no party bags' with a look of horror on his face.

Roseformeplease · 18/05/2014 18:52

We used to do a lucky dip. That way everyone gets a present, but only one each.

LoveBeingInTheSun · 18/05/2014 18:53

Even if you just put the cake in a bag and gave them a balloon ......

Lilaclily · 18/05/2014 18:54

wow!
you're right don't bother
maybe the magician could do 70 balloon animals

Tinkerball · 18/05/2014 18:55

I dont get why you would go to all the effort you seem to have done (and for a first birthday as well, are you wanting to show off?) and yet you cant be bothered doing party bags?

JustSpeakSense · 18/05/2014 18:56

YABU! Party bags are compulsory! You will appear mean and stingy if u don't provide them!

magpiegin · 18/05/2014 18:58

I like the idea of a lucky dip, as the other poster said you can colour code ages.

Comingfoccacia · 18/05/2014 18:58

Please don't do helium balloons, helium supplies are running out and it's used in MRI scanners. Although your plans sound lovely, your LO will not remember anything so why not wait til she is older? I don't agree with party bags. I give a donation to the local Neonatal ward instead. I'm a piece of cake in a tissue person. Some parties I've been to gave a lucky dip, you could have separate dips for the different ages? But please no helium!

LadyCybilCrawley · 18/05/2014 18:59

9 and under - something little
10 and over - no longer required

I've always done books

BerniesBurneze · 18/05/2014 19:01

Your party sounds fabulous btw. Can you do different age party bags?

Floralnomad · 18/05/2014 19:02

Under 10s - party bag
Over 10s - amazon gift card / itunes voucher .( they need rewarding for coming to a 1 yr olds birthday party)

Original poster
curiousgeorgie · 18/05/2014 19:30

I kind of made my own bed by doing a big one for DD1 (out of boredom, it grew!!) and now I think DD2 should have at least one comparable party to look back at the pictures of..

And it is an excuse for a big family party.

It's not that I can't be arsed, it's that it's quite hard with so many different ages what I should put in them.

I'll have to do them then I suppose... Maybe books then. What age is a no party bag age?? Shall I make them up to 12 and not teenagers? It's hard. If they were all the same age and it was just a kids party it would be easy.

For DD1's party I made party boxes for everyone but it ended up costing a fortune as I had the same problem and I couldn't buy anything in bulk.

OP posts:
quietbatperson · 18/05/2014 19:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

erin99 · 18/05/2014 19:49

No way would I do 3 different lots of entertainment and no party bags. No child is going to ask "what no face painter?" if there's a magician and bouncy castle. Whereas, much as I know they shouldn't, some will ask why there's no party bag. Why have anyone see you as stingy when you're throwing the party of the year? I would also avoid helium.