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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU...Books instead of party bags?

89 replies

ILoveGroot · 28/01/2019 20:18

Just thinking of giving something more useful and long lasting than the usual party bag fillers, although I'm aware children love the usual things.

My DS will be 6 soon, and I thought of going everyone a book, plus a few sweets and a piece of cake. Not sure it would be appreciated though?!

OP posts:
CallMeVito · 28/01/2019 22:03

My kids have been to quite a few parties where they got a book in their party bags, the parents started in reception and the children seemed quite happy about it. My own kids loved it.

The one thing that I really hate parents for is slime. I hate the damn thing, and mine are bad to open the pots indoors! Anything else is gratefully received.

KC225 · 28/01/2019 22:17

Bloody hell

UrbaneSprawl · 28/01/2019 22:20

Daffodil for that price his little sister can have one too. Tuned a semitone below his.

BringOnTheScience · 28/01/2019 22:21

Yez, yes, yes to books! If you're bothered about them getting one they don't want, then just get several totally contrasting sets and let everyone choose. The left overs are either for your DC or the school library.

BringOnTheScience · 28/01/2019 22:23

noknit has watched too much Marie Kondo.

LegallyBrunet · 28/01/2019 22:35

Not to derail the thread, but to those who have used it, is the Book People good?
Also yes to books instead of a party bag, my partner’s four year old would love it!

Harebellmeadow · 28/01/2019 22:38

In a Room with a View (film) a wardrobe has the motto “Beware all endeavours that require new clothes”. I think my motto is “Beware all those who dont love books”

Point is - OPs idea is great, also helps you slowly weed out the kids who dont like books etc from your DCs circle (sorry, possibly polemic)

Harebellmeadow · 28/01/2019 22:41

The book people are heaven!!
Reliable, now do paypal, good delivery, books new and pristine and if you are a book lover in poverty (me) they are saviours. They have kids, teen, adults fixtion and non fiction and are really brilliant and deserving of an OBE but ONLY if they start offering international delivery to promote British book culture worldwide, or at least Europe-wide

Sindragosan · 28/01/2019 22:42

The parties we've been at that have done this have had a box with a range of books for children to pick their own. We love books in this house so its been fine, not seen anyone yet who openly complained.

MushroomPancake · 28/01/2019 22:54

I got 10 picture books for £10 from the Works for DS’s party this weekend.

We also received a book and cake from an another party we went to.

Books are great!

Spudina · 28/01/2019 22:54

I remembered there was recent research, described in The Guardian, in which it was proved that adults who grew up in houses where there were lots of books on shelves (and it didn't matter what the books were) had higher levels of literacy and numeracy. So as much as I love Marie Kindo, I'm not going to be following her advice there.
I digress. I think books is a lovely idea OP. Not sure how cheap you could get them, but I often get This is Not my hat, I want my Hat back, there's a bear on my chair, and the Oi series for gifts. Kids love them. But I love them more. The Works do good deals also.

Blondielongie · 28/01/2019 23:03

When I saw the thread title, I thought it was someone moaning about my child's party that's just been! We gave books and no one complained! Like @mushroompancake we used the works. They had a couple of hidden gems there. One was a Carol Ann Duffy book for children! Nice to hear its a common thing. Wish it was normal round here. Love the blanket idea. I might magpie that next time!

GreenTulips · 28/01/2019 23:08

A few years ago I suggested books due to the landfill items cluttering my house - and everyone said it was a rubbish idea

Nice to see times have changed and people are thinking about the world we will leave our children

Harebellmeadow · 28/01/2019 23:09

Thank you - i didnt know about the Works- looks great and you can select books individually. bedtime delayed

manicinsomniac · 28/01/2019 23:11

I'd be embarrassed by this to be honest.

I often give a book from the book people as an actual present. So to receive one back as a party favour would make me feel really cheap. But then maybe I am!

Fantasisa · 28/01/2019 23:26

Anything that isn’t plastic rubbish is good! I dread to think how much tat just my two DC alone have accumulated from parties over the years. I only do consumables in our bags.

Wallabyone · 28/01/2019 23:29

I've done books and some chocolate for every party for my children. I use the Book People and The Works and choose the best ones. Picture books work well for under 5s, and last year at my eldest's, I gave a fab non-fiction book about the human body and a Kinder Egg. I hate party bag crap, it is such a waste of money. We have hundreds of books in this house, and my children love being read to and now reading themselves.

TwitToWoo · 28/01/2019 23:29

Harebellmeadow

How unbelievably pretentious you sound.

Ariela · 28/01/2019 23:32

My Dd turns 20 this year, but when she was small we always did books, sets from The Book people were so cheap! Also did lucky dips (shredded paper from the office + random goodies stuff from Christmas crackers of past years, freebie Lego car kits from petrol stations that type of thing. )

freezinguplands · 28/01/2019 23:37

I love the book people, when I'm back in the UK I get a catch up order and shlepp it back. My DH refuses to lift my book suitcases, they are rather heavy.

freezinguplands · 28/01/2019 23:40

harebell I don't think you sound pretentious at all. That's a needlessly unkind thing for someone to say.

antipodeansun · 29/01/2019 02:10

But why do you need to give party bags at all?
I don't mind spending on kids' parties - good food, have in the past hired entertainers, rented venues etc. But party bags seem so.. pointless. I have never ever given them, and no one cares. Just more unnecessary stuff.
My kids are usually interested in theirs, when they receive them at other parties, for about 5 minutes and then they are forgotten. (I do sometimes pack some of the cake, if the parent agrees. But that's it).

Maxbenji · 29/01/2019 03:57

We went to a party for a 5yo and they were all given a small cactus with googly eyes stuck on, my 3yo is facinated by it months later!
For her 3rd birthday, we did some craft at the party and also had some in the bags... little foam aeroplanes, scratch pictures etc from Baker Ross. The kids thought it was great.

Tetrapanex · 29/01/2019 04:03

Is this thread actually a stealth ad for The Book People?

Harebellmeadow · 29/01/2019 06:25

Thank you freezing uplands that is very kind.
I love cheap books for kids, i remember a childhood without the Book People (or equivalent) and having to save up for months for expensive books at WH Smith. When your parents are on income support, three pounds (in the 90s) is really loads for a tiny book. I still remember the pain. Charity shops and libraries were good, but tended to have older titles, tatty and musty (which is lovely for adult books) and not onspiring for a love of books. The good stuff got grabbed earlier.