That this is a bit of a crappy Pass the Parcel prize?

[Wigeon]

So DH went out to do some chores, including getting a Pass the Parcel prize for DD's 6th birthday party tomorrow. I said it needed to be fairly small because otherwise you use rolls and rolls of wrapping paper to do al, the lawyers. He came back with this dolphin pencil sharpener (biro given for scale).

Settle a marital dispute: is this a bit crappy for a Pass the Parcel prize? Are we Mean Parents? Or will 5/6 year olds be very happy to win a dolphin pencil sharpener?

Ilost I think the pen was for scale only

Yeah, I'd pop to the shop and get something better.

Poundland do nice mini colouring book and pencil set for...

you've guessed it....

A pound!

It looks fine to me. That's the sort of thing I would have put as the main prize when mine were small and the kids were always happy.

I can't imagine parents thinking you're mean. Unless they are really over invested, I would expect they will have no idea whether their child got it as the main present or the layer present. Either way, they will probably just be glad you played nice games.

I'd put that in the middle and sweets or stickers between layers. It's better not to have anything too brilliant in the middle as only one kid gets it and it only causes jealousy.

Yep, that's a bit crap for the main pass the parcel present I'm afraid.
Lemon sherbets not good for between the layers sweets as take too long to eat, and could be a choking hazard once they're all running around again or you'll find them ground into your carpet
Hope you have a lovely party tomorrow!

I am a bit worried about undermining DH if I go out and get something better even though he did it wrong in the first place. Got this multi coloured pen kicking around (it's brand new) - could add that plus a mini Milky Way?

I wouldn't put anything less than an iPad Pro as the main prize for my little ones. 😇

I think adding a small coloring book and some color pencils to the pencil sharpener would be better. My 5 yo isn't great with pens and gets it all over her. I also think sherbet lemons are a choking hazard. Definitely change the sweets.

Its something my neerly 6 year old and friends would love. Maybe if you want to add get a activity book or note pad and some colouring pencils. My daughter loves tat like this which is why we have a huge collection of blind bag toys. Mind you the parties we have been to usually its 10p haribo in each layer or buttons and then in middle a colouring book or sticker book.

I don't get why you're worried about undermining DH it's okay to be like 'hmm I don't think that's really enough these days, times have changed' - I mean it's okay to say that's not quite right anyway about things plus it's about a party prize not a life ending decision he has got wrong.

I think its perfectly fine, I don't get the problem at all. My 7 year old would like it.

Do kids now expect more? We shouldn't be encouraging that, we should be doing the opposite. Look how the millenials are turning out, do we want the next lot to be even worse?

Multi coloured pan and milky way is great idea

More than one prize is going to make the others cry. Use the pen for the winner of musical statues or something and the mini Milky Way for the winner of something else.

Or perhaps just get an iPad Pro as suggested.

I'd use that as a gift between layers but not as the actual prize. We do colouring books and pens or a board game etc. Usually have a few so that every child gets either the main prize or something from a layer.

Asda were all out of iPad Pros so DH plumped for a novelty sharpener instead .

Actually, also got this puzzle rubber thing too, so then it would be kinda like a stationery set?!

Sherbet lemons are a terrible idea.

Choking hazard.

You need to destroy them safely ASAP.

I agree with not undermining. How would you feel if you had gone and got something swanky and perfect and then he huffed that you had spent too much money? Whatever is in there will be forgotton and in landfill within the year/month/day. Maltesers will just have another parent going ffs more sweets when I am trying to limit sugar. I think he is spot on.

I love those multi colour pens though! (Stationary geek)

Oh my god I never ever want to host a party after reading this... sounds so stressful haha!! You need at least a real puppy too.. or a pony. Hamsters for between the layers....

Send it here, I was looking for a pencil sharpener earlier and couldn't find one

Nothing particular to add on the prize, but I love the idea of all these pissed off lawyers tumbling out between layers

Rubber too.

I'm worried about undermining DH as I generally have very fixed ideas of how things should be done, and unless I make sure I bite my tongue, I'd just be some kind of awful controlling harridan. Which is not how to maintain a happy marriage.

Although how he thought sherbet lemons were a good idea, I don't know. How is it perfectly obvious to me that another kind of sweet would be better, but not at all obvious to him?!

It's fine. It's the excitement of winning, not what it is.
Used to be bubbles often when I was little.

Okay yeah it's def not worth raising then - save it for something important

Looks great as a little stationary set! And a bargain too!

If that's the 'main' prize, I think your DH has failed. Sorry.