AIBU to not do party bags

[IAmADancer]

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?

Honestly, I wonder if the next generation will look back and wonder why we spent £100's entertaining them for a few hours and felt we had to give them a possibly dangerous and environmentally unsound present in some cases for turning up!

I know it’s absolute madness! I honestly didn’t realise how many kids there were but I’m thinking as it’s summer holidays quite a few will be away

Think I’m going with cake and book!

will your child be deluged with gifts?

Why would the contents end up in the bin? We're having a little party for dd this weekend and the party bags will have some sweets (one of those little haribo bags), a piece of cake, a finger puppet and a small toy. The toys are things like leg mini figures, Thomas minis, a little necklace etc don't know why they would just be binned??

They might have been happy to come again, but I bet they talked about you! Every party my 2 dcs have ever attended has had party bags. That doesn’t make it right I suppose, but I don’t set out to disappoint small children.

What about shaped crayons? Like Lego men/alphabet etc?
Useful and not quite plastic tatt...

Yadnbu! I hate party bags. Unnecessary tat. Cake is enough. Sweets a lovely bonus. I wouldn’t even necessarily bother with the little book.

Of course YANBU. I might do some kind of lucky dip (a big box full of super cheap stuff e.g. bag of haribo, bubbles etc) just to satisfy the kids who expect them. It's also a good way to get rid of everyone when you want them to go home. If you choose not to You're not BU though!

If you don't mind a bit of expense The Bookpeople book sets are brilliant - usually 90p or so per book. Might be a bit expensive for 50+ though!

My dd went to a disco party at a friends house they got an ice cream on the front due to the warm weather and left with an ice cream a balloon and a disco bracelet, could the ice can be an idea?

I save all the party bag crap we receive, Xmas cracker tat and also McDonald's happy meal toys (my two youngest don't realise it comes with a toy yet 😂)
I then wrap it up for a lucky dip reward after the party games or redistribute it into our own party bags

Why not send a polite little message around, saying no need to buy a gift and we are happy to give each " guest" cake.

That way you are not adding to landfill .

That doesn’t make it right I suppose, but I don’t set out to disappoint small children
I think they will recover fairly quickly.

Yanbu

Party bags are the cause of global warming

Bags o shite !

I hope you also ban presents if you think there’s too much waste/tat caused by party bags.

I think some of the current environmental campaigning focuses on single use disposable items, so this may include items likely to be found in party bags eg balloons. I'm not sure you can completely compare a thoughtful present which (hopefully) a child will enjoy many times over a long period of time and won't blow away, fall out of the back seat of the car etc.

I have never given party bags, just a big slice of birthday cake

You can do non plastic bags. Paper bag, cake, sweets, small tub of play dough, little box of crayons, balloon, small car, for eggs.

Yes I know that involves some plastic but it doesn't have to be crap toys.

Is the balloon not still a problem?

Sorry late response, long day of madness. We are thinking about asking people not to buy presents as they already have so much stuff I just don’t think they need anymore (they’re twins). Also I don’t expect people to buy them a present each as it’s just too much all round. Thing is, even though you say no presents, people still buy presents as they feel bad. I’m in a quandary about the whole thing.

I may just wait and see how many kids can actually come and then decide. I think I’m definitely going to do the no party bags and maybe just a giant bubble wand with a name tag on it. I’m sure I can track down a job lot haha.

Hope it all goes well!

God no!!!

Just say nothing and do no bags but a slice of cake maybe ?

Baked I always give a crisp tenner and a come made card !! I am not tight but I do really hate plastic tat

At least then they can buy something they like ?

The benefit of the party bag is it’s a good signal the party is over. A book, bubble wand, self inking stamps or even a mini pack of crisps or cheddars would work well too.

I know I’m relieved when I don’t get a bag of tat or sweets