would you think i am mean

[mummaclaire]

its my dd 10th birthday next month, doing a big party for her (family rule is proper party on 5th 10th 13th and 16th)
but am thinking of not doing party bags tbh its another expense and lets be frank they generally contain sweets and crap, but will it come across as I'm being a mean mother?

I never give party bags at my kids parties. You go girl!!!!

DS went to a 9th birthday the other day, and was handed a piece of cake as he left. No one called her rude or mean or stingey!

Slice of cake and a balloon.

As long as they have a good time they won't even notice.

DS is in year 5 so has been to a few 10yr old birthday parties this year. Only the one that was a proper old fashioned church hall party with games and disco had party bags. The rest were activity things like trampoline park, football etc and these didn't have party bags. To be honest I think at this age they aren't really bothered about them.

At that age I do a lucky dip bucket and a tray of fairy cakes socas each child leaves they get a cake and a dip. Make enough cakes for parents/siblings!

I frickin' hate party bags!
Besides generally being full of tat & potential clutter they have become this entitlement rather than the nice addition to being invited to a party. There's an expectation to them now that I don't think was intended when they first became a thing.

Obviously though if I was a kid I would be delighted to be the recipient!

We often haven't bothered doing party bags, we always do something though: chupa chups lollypops, Kinder Surprise or whatever.

You could just do a bit of cake and a pack of haribo. I'm sure most kids would be happy with that. I know mine would.

Some will notice (and their parents will think "thank goodness, now I won't have to either!").

Yes, I second (third) the fact that the little gits will enquire loudly where there party bag is; even while taking possession of the gift you've given them in lieu.

Party bags no, small gift that indicates time to leave, yes.

A book or similar is fine.
We gave all the boys who came to DS 11th birthday a football, bought in bulk from a high street sweat shop retailer.

I'm really

I don't think it's mean at all. If anyone asks just say "we aren't doing party bags this year, we've got lots more sweets/crisps at the party, instead.

And we stopped doing party bags when the DDs were about 8.

Do a lucky dip.

One for a bag of sweets.

One for a rubber, pen, small toy.

I wish adult parties still had party bags lol! Even though they were -always- usually* full of crap I still remember the joy in getting them.

*A friend's mum once gave me the best party bag ever when I was the only girl at her son's birthday of a beautiful little picture frame for my doll's house.

Not mean at all, they are usually filled with Tay that goes in the bin.

What I am doing for Halloween instead of making goodie bags is buying in the mini chupa pizza box sweets. They are £1 each, permanent you could give something like that

I hate party bags, more plastic tat going into landfill! I bought bags of sweets (haribo/buttons/malteasers etc.) printed a 'thank you for coming' label and stuck them on. Very little hassle and less waste.

I still think kids love to have something at the end of a party. Your child is having her second proper party, I bet she has been to loads of other parties. If you don't want to do the whole party bag wrap a small gift - inflatable guitars (or microphones) 9 quid on Amazon for 12 with free delivery. Kids love them.

I'd say need to do something. But I agree the plastic tat is really annoying and complete waste of money.

A slice of wrapped cake, a packet of sweets/ chocolate/ lolly is all that's needed. As a parent I'd say that ideally its little enough that it can all be consumed / finished with by the end of the day. I don't want little bags of plastic junk cluttering up the house.

I'd just do cake and a lollipop or something like that. 10 year olds probably won't expect the same sort party bag you'd typically have at younger kids parties.

We normally do a book and a Cupcake but I'm stealing the mini blackboard idea for next year!!

I once read on here that they're so known as fuck off bags, so pretty essential if you ask me!

I went to Home Bargains and got a load of the family size bars of Dairy Milk for 49p each. Got 50 (knock off) Lego figures from Tesco for £3 and put them in with a light up balloon, a party banger and a bit of cake. Kids were delighted and they didn't cost much at all. Tried glow sticks but they seemed to keep bending and lighting up randomly so I abandoned that idea. I would do party bags. They don't cost much and are a nice thank you for attending off you fuck home. I'd also worry my kids would be a bit embarrassed if other kids were asking about them and there weren't any.

We did inflatable guitars, which were greatly desired. Went down very well. eBay is your friend.