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?

Box of maltesers from poundland more grown up?

Ten seems old for party bags.

DC is turning seven soon, party bags are not happening. I'm not mean, just skint. And I hate them

I'd get party bag stuff I really enjoy finding stuff that's not tat! Book people are good and very cheap when you buy box sets and a couple of small sweets or 1 bigger one. Xx

Party bags are crap! I did books for my sons party, wrapped each one up so everyone got a "present" as they left. They loved them

Best party bags we did weren't party bags at all, buta lucky dip on the way out of the door. Went down a treat. Nothing cost over 50p.

Do a lucky dip instead or go on not on the high street and get personalised chocolate- thanks for coming to my party etc. Or do a sweet bag that kids can help themselves too at end of party.
Haven't rtft so sorry if these have already been suggested

You could do something other than party bags. Something for them to take home in lieu of plastic tat.
I've done sweet cones in the past, and a jotter/notebook each with scented pencil. The glass drinking jugs which are popular at the moment (made each a funky name tag tied with ribbon)
Much better than your run-of-the-mill party bags.

*Can't read any further than the first page of posts so apologies if these ideas have already been mentioned

Don't have children, but I like the book idea. I think every person child should have a copy of The little prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

And it's a book you can go back to as an adult, and it takes on a whole new meaning.

Amazon or The Book People is a good place to find it at bargain-ey prices

Just remembered. One of DD's friends birthday is late Nov/early Dec and last year for 10th birthday, the children were all given a small chocolate (xmas) selection box. Easy option for mum and children came away happy.

But re-thinking it, I don't get the 'party bag' thing at all. Not like they're attending the Oscars is it? Why should a child be given a gift for attending a party hosted and paid for by you?

We have done books but they have been done at an earlier age. It gets harder to work out what books each individual would like when they are 9/10 so book packs don't work out as well, ime

What does your dd think about it? You may ask her and she turns round and tells you that party bags are soooo embarrassing and not for big girls like her! Or if she does want them just avoid the tat.. I've tended to do slice of cake, small sweetie, couple of balloons, and maybe a small stationery item.

As a young party guest, I came home with a piece of birthday cake and if I was lucky enough, the prize from the pass the parcel.
But that was the 70's/early 80's. No such thing as party bags then. I don't even know how they got started.

loving the replies thank you all for your input! love them being call time to fuck off bags! perfect name for them!

I had a bloody brilliant idea, am going to get them all a pocket diary, (job lot of 30 on ebay £19.99 if anyone wants to steel the idea) and get dd to write the childs name and thank you for coming to my party in it! that and a slice of cake should make for many happy children!

Ooh! I like that idea!

My favorite favor was back when Polly Pockets were a huge thing. We just got a mini play set so we could all play together in the party, then went home with our respective sets.

Friend of mine NEVER did party bags no matter what age, she always did brilliant parties with excellent trad games, no tech or modern embellishments whatsoever, and ALL the kids loved them without fail. She literally explained at the door, sorry no party bags cos I don't believe in them. No one ever complained, or as far as I know, ever gossiped (possibly partly because she is super scary!

I think party bags are absolutely useless - like you said, full of crap. Can't believe you still have to do them for a ten year old. I'd be very happy to take my children to a party with no party bags ;-)

Me, being weak, spent more on the party bags than the party. They still enjoyed her parties more, I'm certain.

I'd give something, not necessarily a party bag as I don't know if that's the done thing for 10 yr olds, but just a token something. Lots of good ideas on this thread. I'd rather have something and it not have been completely necessary or expected then to stress about not giving anything out.
My son is 3 and loves party bags whatever is in them. Its like putting a piece of tat in a plastic bag magically transforms it into the worlds most exciting present ever.
Loving the idea of an advent calendar if the birthday is near the end of the month, I'd be delighted with that even as an adult !!

Just seen your reply, I think that sounds like a lovely idea

When loom bands where popular I got a small kit for each girl and a micro car from the entertainer for £2 then a few little sweets and all the children loved them said best ever lol

My DD is ten and would love getting a party bag. Bit depressing that people think that is 'odd' and 'too old'. 10 year olds are still kids! They wouldn't want bubbles and a picture book, but something like the chalkboard idea is fab- or a pencil and a rubber, or a nail varnish.

I hate party bags, plastic tat that doesn't get played with. We gave £1 footballs one year. Water bottle filled with sweets another year. When they were younger we did books. Have you looked in the shop Tiger? They do some nice cheapish things (stationary type things)

We've had a book recently and also fancy sweet cones that the children made themselves from a pick and mix table. They had some bigger sweets at the end that they could choose 3 of to do the final layer. An adult then tied it off for then to take and they decorated their own tags 😀 Nice idea and better than a load of tat! At that party they also took home a balloon that had a lift inside of it - they thought they were very cool!