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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU not to do party bags?

69 replies

isitginoclock · 28/08/2016 21:02

We have 20 kids coming over for my daughters birthday party tomorrow afternoon - she's 2 but has an older sister so kids attending are between 1-6 years. I've totally forgotten party bags. The party's at 2 tomorrow... I could feasibly go out and get all the bits but I've got so much else on... But WIBU not to?
Opinions please :-) x

OP posts:
SpaceDinosaur · 28/08/2016 21:34

Party bags are plastic bags of plastic shite. Totally unnecessary.

Going home "gift" is traditional but doesn't need to be a party bag.
Pack of haribo in one hand and slice of cake in the other.
Slice of cake in one hand and balloon in the other.

emsyj · 28/08/2016 21:35

I have done Book People a couple of times and they go down well too.

DustOffYourHighestHopes · 28/08/2016 21:39

We've only been to two parties so far, and had book people £1 book, a slice of cake, a balloon. THe kids were delighted.

I really wouldn't bother if you have a thick skin and can stand the older kids whining about it.

Letmesleepalready · 28/08/2016 21:40

My dd goes in meltdown mode if there's no party bag, and even more so if she sees that the contents are different (for boys or girls for example) It's embarrassing! Her reaction, not the lack of party bags! I wish she'd understand it wasn't a rule to have them.
We also thought of the book people, but obviously too late for tomorrow!

hownottofuckup · 28/08/2016 21:40

I'd probably nip out and get 20 Kinder eggs

DecaffCoffeeAndRollupsPlease · 28/08/2016 21:42

I used to hate my daughter receiving party bags as it was just more tat and junk food to deal with. OK, I didn't hate it but I could have done without it.

Yika · 28/08/2016 21:47

I wouldn't bother at this stage, I definitely don't think it matters for 2 year olds - they will be super excited by the party itself. I've had party bags and then forgotten to give them out - beginner's mistake! - the sky didn't fall in. :)

PlotterOfPlots · 28/08/2016 21:49

Ok not to, but I'd do the kinder eggs, or go to a newsagent and get a cheap summer toy each eg frisbee.

And don't judge too harshly any kids who do miss it.

greenfolder · 28/08/2016 22:01

At dds last party I bought ready filled cups of sweets (like pic n mix) from the company co op. They were a quid each. Went down well.

hotdiggedy · 28/08/2016 22:03

Party bags are a waste of time but you could always just get some bags and stick a cake in if needed.

mumtomaxwell · 28/08/2016 22:03

Have been watching this with interest... Am in the process of organising my DDs party (she'll be 4). Love the book people idea - thanks wise MNers :)

ScarlettSahara · 28/08/2016 22:07

I loathe party bags but kids always seem to love them. I just don't like useless plastic tat that appears in a lot of them. I used to be happy with cake and a balloon when I was little but do remember a party where we were allowed to choose a present to take home and I chose a mini tinsel Christmas tree which I still have.

When DD was 6 I bought a small box of playmobil for her guests and got some complaints from a couple of kids because there were not enough sweets- sad I think. However 2 boys did come up to me at the school gates to thank me for the playmobil so sadly party bags seem to be the norm but cake, a few sweets, balloon and bubbles should do it.

MsMarple · 28/08/2016 22:24

I'd get down to the tesco party section in the morning and buy multi-packs of bubbles or whatever is cheap, and then a giant bag of fun size chocolate bars or haribo.

You might be able to manage without them, but frankly there is no better way to get a bunch of kids all hussled out of the door at the end of the party. Party bags = peace and quiet much sooner!

MsMarple · 28/08/2016 22:29

And if you want to put actual effort in Wink some ideas that my DC have liked receiving at that age were plastic character drinking beakers with sweets in and a bit of cake on top, all tied up in a cellobag, and a mini tub of playdoh and little cookie cutter that had been split out of multipacks.

Original poster
isitginoclock · 29/08/2016 09:32

Aw thanks all :-) I'm usually organised and do the book people... I'm going to run to Tesco and get a piñata. What a great idea! X

OP posts:
rockyroad3 · 29/08/2016 09:46

Was going to say YADBU-the highlight of a party was always a party bag at the end, but saw they are 2. They won't know any different!

Witchend · 29/08/2016 10:33

I've only once been to a party that had nothing, and it just made a very awkward end. Parents collecting weren't sure whether to thank and go or whether the host was planning on more stuff so it wasn't over yet. And no one wanted to be the rude one who asked. Grin
Eventually the mum who knew her best asked quietly, and we all then thanked and went.
I think if you make it clear earlier then that would be fine though.

However even at 2yo my dc loved handing out party bags to their friends, do I'd do it for that alone.

CakeNinja · 29/08/2016 10:47

A party bag or alternative is a good way to show the party is over and you can bugger off now Grin

Trouble with the books from the book people is, we already had all the books we were given from parties as had usually been bought the whole sets as previous Christmas/birthday presents! Obviously a disaster but a waste of money for us as the book was normally ditched before it had been opened.

CakeNinja · 29/08/2016 10:48

Obviously NOT a disaster Hmm

Hoppinggreen · 29/08/2016 10:49

As a parent I hate them but the kids love them and look forward to getting them.
It won't be a disaster though if you don't have any

EnthusiasmDisturbed · 29/08/2016 10:53

ds had an amazing party a few years ago that cost a ridiculous amount and I refused to spend more money and gave them all a tube of smarties and they seemed happy

Party bags are not necessary

DeathpunchDoris · 29/08/2016 12:09

A piece of cake to take home is perfectly fine. Enjoy the party!

MumiTravels · 29/08/2016 12:14

Ooo the pinata sounds amazing! I got bought one for my 25th birthday filled with sweets. I couldn't bare to bat it though so just ate the sweets out of the insert hole.

If you have 'The Works' near you they do books for 5 for £5 alot of the time which is also a nice idea for littlies that sweets aren't appropriate for.

Boiing · 29/08/2016 12:26

Don't do party bags! I hate them. The last one we had contained

  • a cardboard aeroplane which broke and made 3yr old cry
  • some modelling 'slime' which stained the surface it was put on, then dried out and made him sad
  • some cheap nasty sweets I would never dream of giving him
  • two other toys which broke immediately, making him cry.

The only party gifts I've liked were a book, a cake, or a (very tough) balloon.

ScarlettSahara · 29/08/2016 12:41

Oh and always make sure each child guest has cake. I remember my DD got overlooked and was upset. I reluctantly asked the host if there was any cake left and she said it had all gone. Extra pieces had been handed out to siblings of guests who stayed or came at pick up- very difficult to explain that to a 6 year old.

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