To ask what you spend on party bags?

[Nicpem1982]

I'm having my dds 3rd birthday party at our local zoo.

We're expecting around 20 children aged 2-6.

Dh says I need to set a reasonable budget for party bags I thought about 4 pounds each as the venue is providing an activity pack and we've paid additional for face painting for each child.

I'd like them to be animal themed as per the party.

What do you spend on party bags per child?

[Nicpem1982]

It's nice- yeah they were very generous with them.

I think perhaps the 2 mums got a bit carried away and caught up in the whole children's party thing which is easily done and harmless in the grand scheme of things.

They work together and are quite competitive at work (all in good fun) so I think some of it may have spilt over

[ItsNiceItsDifferentItsUnusual]

Those really aren't party bags imo - they're just straightforward gifts

[ItsNiceItsDifferentItsUnusual]

Those really aren't party bags imo - they're just straightforward gifts

[Nicpem1982]

Thank you for the tip the baker Ross and Ali express my dh has ordered a sample set of play doh cutters from there.

Winkin - I'm glad this thread is keeping you entertained party bags are of course for the children but I do want to try and limit the tat in there.

Today's party at the farm was nice we had a guided tour and animal feeds it was all very organised and kept the children entertained for 3 hours.

I do think there was a bit of competitive party bagging going on between the two mums from yesterday and today and this is not a game I intend joining in;

Party bag consisted of

where do I live orchard game,
farm animal flash cards,
Cup cake
3 x haribos
Thorntons lolly
Animal teddy

[BabychamSocialist]

When I helped out with my nephew's party last year (he's 6) SIL spent about £2 a head. About right, I'd say - you don't need to go overboard.

[SimplyNigella]

I've had a lot of success with Ali Express for party bag toys, if you are organised and order in advance as it ships from China.

I got great Play-Doh cutters, bubble stickers, finger puppets and bath toys from there for pennies.

[WinkinBlinkinandNod]

Cuppa my kids also say they prefer the tat, but it is not about what the kids want, is it?

[WinkinBlinkinandNod]

I am loving this Thread and thank you OP for keeping on coming back.

I love witnessing the variety and competitive nature of Children' Parties and bags. The party section is far too quiet for my liking.

Please do come back and tell us about today's party!

I live in a rural area with limited choices of venues, and poor access to shops, especially cheaper shops, so Online Shopping is my friend.

Now Christmas is over I am planning the first of 3 DC's Birthdays even though it is not for a few months. My aim is for it to look expensive, but actually be bargainous.

[Cuppaand2biscuits]

I haven't read the full thread but my party bag tip is Baker Ross. Click on the sale tab and they have lots of party bag filler bits, usually themed (pirate, jungle, under the sea). My children love a party bag of tat and have been disappointed if they get one nice going home gift instead!

[Ab1000]

Llangenith unfortunately the op opened herself up to posts like yours. As I said on my earlier post if the op can afford it she should spend what she wants. I'm not a schoolgate mum so I don't get the competitive elements that seem to be present here. I set my own parameters as to what's affordable to me, I don't give in the hope of receiving the same. If my ds came home with nothing I wdnt judge. I'm guessing your the type that monitors the value of the presents that your kids friends give to yours in order that you don't pay anymore or less. Life's to short

[Nicpem1982]

Llangenith- there isn't "cheap" soft play or hall hire here as per my previous posts.

Soft play was 18.00 a head last year and yesterday's hall hire for my friend worked out as much.

[llangennith]

OP you've obviously got a bit more money to spend on parties than most people and so have your friends so what's 'normal' for you is OTT for the rest of us.
A kid's party doesn't need an entertainer. For preschoolers 1.5 hours is long enough. You need some space so hire a hall or soft play, plan some games, provide food and cake, party bags (with bubbles, cheap chocolate bar, tiny crayons and colouring book). It can be done very inexpensively or you can go completely OTT and splash the cash.
My DC were all summer birthdays so outdoor parties were normal for us. All the DGC have winter birthdays and followed the cheap and cheerful plan.

[Tubbyinthehottub]

There are no soft plays near me for £6ph or halls for £25 or entertainers for £40!
I agree the packs of books from the book people are a good idea. To be honest my heart would sink if I saw play doh in a party bag because I like to do messy crafty stuff on my own terms. My DS would want to get it out straight away, probably in the car! He once told me the best thing about parties is seeing what bit of the cake you get in the party bag.

[Gizlotsmum]

We did a book and a biscuit which they could decorate at home ( icing and sprinkles in the pot). Got lots of positive feed back

[Nicpem1982]

001- it was a nice party bag to recieve its over our budget though for party bags our max is 3-4 pounds and I think I can get what we want for cheaper shopping around.

Interestingly we're at another party today at a farm and the mom from yesterday's party and today's are good friends so I'm interested to see if there's been a bit of rivalry going on behind the scenes

[Afreshstartplease]

I've probably spent up to 2 pounds per head in previous years putting together bags of crap myself

This year I'm buying pre-filled sweets cones at about a pound each , alot of the dcs friends have done this too

[00100001]

That Disney DVD Party bag is what my 3 y/o would get for their birthday...!

[Nicpem1982]

Big - Just for the record I wouldn't put a Disney DVD in a party bag as it'd be out of my budget but it's a lovely party bag to receive especially when it's obvious the host has picked each title to suit each recipient my dd loves animals (hence the zoo party) and my friends dd loves tea pots and cups and saucers so will love the enchanted ones in beauty and the beast.

[Nicpem1982]

Yes we got jungle book another friend got beauty and the beast so they're the classics films not new releases.

My dd loved her party bag

[bigkidsdidit]

A Disney dvd in a party bag?? Blimey.

[Nicpem1982]

We're in the midlands our local venues just seem expensive compared to some people's on here.

My friends are just normal people not particularly well to do? I dunno how do u judge that? 😊

[IDontWantThisOnFacebook]

Wow. Guess you're in London then? I'm in the South West. One place wanted £8.25, so I went with the cheaper venue. They have party food and jelly & ice-cream for that. Adults don't pay to get in. Sounds like a bargain then?

[ValiumQueen]

£18PH is such a lot of money for a Soft Play party. I thought £10 PH was over-priced. I think you must move in very well-to-do circles OP.

[Nicpem1982]

I don't want - my dds soft play party was 18.00 p/h last yr

[IDontWantThisOnFacebook]

My ds turns 3 next week. We're having a soft play party on Friday;

£5.95 p/H = £53.55 (includes 90 mins soft play and lunch)
Plates, napkins, cups and party bags = £4
Shop bought character cake = £10

Will pop a small bag of Haribo, leftover from Xmas, in the bag with a slice of cake. So total cost is £67.55.

Can't ever imagine spending £300+ on a child's party, but each to their own. Would be a boring world if we were all the same!