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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not do party bags

90 replies

IAmADancer · 19/07/2018 09:57

Just that really. Hosting a whole class party in our back garden for 50 kids plus friends and family kids. There is a bouncy castle, inflatable slide, soft play area plus cakes, food and drinks.

When my two get party bags it’s just more plastic crap we don’t need and stickers that get stuck all over the walls and floor!

AIBU to just do a few sweets, some cake and a little book?

OP posts:
UndertheCedartree · 19/07/2018 10:24

That sounds perfect! Children love a little something to take home and they'll be perfectly happy with what you suggest. I've often done a sweet cone and a cupcake sometimes a balloon too. At my daughter's unicorn party this year I did little party bags with a unicorn notebook and pencil, a packet of sweets, lolly and a slice of birthday cake. At my son's gaming party I just offered the kids a couple of fun size chocolate bars from a bag as they left. My daughter went to a gymnastics party recently and had a gymnast ribbon, bag of sweets and a slice of cake - lovely.

NoKnit · 19/07/2018 10:26

Actually thinking about it wouldn't bother for 3 year olds we started party bags at 4, they won't notice

bakedlikeabun · 19/07/2018 10:27

A few sweets, cake and a book is a jeffing party bag what is the point of the OP other than to boast about what a together mum she is?

PasswordRejection · 19/07/2018 10:29

I did books and cake for my DS's party this year. A couple of weeks later one of his friends had the same. Cue DS asking me where the party bag is. I explained that his friend had given him a book and cake, like we did at his party, no party bag. You should have seen the look of horror on his face when he realised I had made the huge social faux pas of not giving out party bags!! Grin

MrsJayy · 19/07/2018 10:30

We did a lucky dip onthe way out at both5th birthday parties because it was whole class box of wrapped bubbles a £ book andjust handed them out when they left it was 20+ years ago so I am not sure how well it will go down with todays kids, why on earth did you invite the entire nursery that is actual madness.

sirmione16 · 19/07/2018 10:31

A 3 year old will not care about a party bag! :)

notthisagain83 · 19/07/2018 10:33

I brought some nice paper sweet bag (Amazon) and went to Home Bargains/£1 shop brought loads of sweets and filled each bags with just sweets. I folder the top and sealed with a personalised sticker that said "thank you for coming to my party love DD"... works out soooo much cheaper than any party bags/sweet cones i have brought before.

Confusedbeetle · 19/07/2018 10:34

Party bags are rubbish

Tentothree · 19/07/2018 10:34

I don't remember going home from parties with anything other than a piece of cake when I was little (long time ago).

Party bags maybe became a thing because "stuff" became available for pennies to put in them ie plastic toys and balloons.

However, do we really need to be handing this stuff out these days when we know there may be an environmental impact? Most of what my children were given over the years ended up on the floor of the car.

Kids' parties are so much more exciting these days than they used to be anyway. Maybe that's enough?

dellie84 · 19/07/2018 10:35

I'm doing a party for 45 at a soft play and they are getting little paper bags of sweets (bags from ebay very cheap) and a lego toy each. I think its the deal if you invite them - they will bring a present - was going to do a book from the works with a thank you sticker but the lego toy fitted the theme better.
No one wants useless shit but seriously the party bag is the best bit!

InDubiousBattle · 19/07/2018 10:39

Sweets, a book and cake is a party bag isn't it? Am I missing something?

petrolpump28 · 19/07/2018 10:41

I hope they are all safe.

converseandjeans · 19/07/2018 10:43

YANBU cone of sweets and they can eat the cake at the party. If you wanted to add something extra as others have suggested you can get those gliders really cheap - you can get 48 for £6.99 on eBay www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Flying-Jet-Gliders-Fun-Kids-Party-Bag-Fillers-FIGHTER-PLANES-Toys-Children-Loot/131430505312?epid=522396789&hash=item1e99de5b60:m:mgPQIA_J1JiL_h9vn54pAyQ
Don't give in to peer pressure and feeling like you have to do something - sounds like the party will be great fun. Good luck - you will definitely need a strong drink afterwards....

SnowOnTheSeine · 19/07/2018 10:43

Please don't put balloons in a bag, especially not for 3 year olds. They are incredibly dangerous (suffocation).

"Children can choke on balloons when they breathe them in when trying to blow up the balloon, or when they chew on deflated balloons or scraps of popped balloons."

I personally would do a party bag. After all, your child will be getting 50 (!) presents.

Doesn't need to be big. Lots of good ideas from PPs.

halcyondays · 19/07/2018 10:44

Sweets cake and book is a party bag. For the last few years we've got our local sweets shop to do sweet cones but we still call it a party bag.

PurplePotatoes · 19/07/2018 10:45

Going against the grain here but I'd rather my DD(4) have a bag of tat than a cone full of sweets, especially when you're going to a lot of parties when school starts. Agree you might get away with not doing them at 3 but from 4+ the party bag is the highlight for most kids! They love having a rummage and seeing what they've got.

fleshmarketclose · 19/07/2018 10:46

To be honest I gave the DC an inflated helium balloon and a piece of cake at my dd's party and there were no complaints.

Tentothree · 19/07/2018 10:51

Agree about no balloons. Also, can end up in the sea where sea life choke if mistake for food. Thought of a child (or younger sibling etc) choking is terrifying.

InDubiousBattle · 19/07/2018 10:53

snow, bloody hell that hadn't occurred to m- the kid will get 50 gifts!

user1472651064 · 19/07/2018 10:54

Party bags are landfill.

KERALA1 · 19/07/2018 10:56

What were you thinking inviting the whole class to your house? Madness. This is where the "no child must be left out ever" ends. We invited all the girls once when they were in year 1 we both swore NEVER AGAIN. DD didn't play with/have anything to do with half of them and the stress was massive. Assume this is your first kid?

BrokenWing · 19/07/2018 11:00

you do realise if they are only 3 you are going to have 50 lots of parents hanging about too?

Bumdishcloths · 19/07/2018 11:00

@blackbirdbluebottle OP has said they're already thinking of doing a small book - I'm just advocating doing only a book, no bag/cake/sweets

niknac1 · 19/07/2018 11:01

I think bubble wands are fantastic for a party gift

Booboostwo · 19/07/2018 11:04

Will the parents be staying? That will be a lot of people.

I had 25 3yos for my DCs birthdays and it was hard work as almost none of the parents stayed. I spent all of my time doing toilet runs (11 pees and 4 poos!!!) and had to have specific activities set up to keep them all in control, e.g. pass the parcel, musical statues, etc.

Frankly I think party bags are the least of your concerns! [grins]