Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

Original poster

Party bags dillema

106 replies

Windymiller123 · 21/10/2021 17:44

Sorry, not sure where to post this but I need some advice re party bags for my 4 yo b-day party.

Her b-day is two days before Halloween and I was wandering around the shops today and thought maybe I can get the kids Halloween buckets instead of regular party bags and fill them with (healthy) treats. The buckets are made of plastic, but they are nicely made and of course reusable. Would this be acceptable and not too far from the standard party bags everyone expects?

OP posts:

AFS1 · 21/10/2021 18:45

My kids got Halloween buckets years ago. We’ve still got them - we use them to store chalk/pens/random balls/pieces of Lego. Have had them at least 5 years and counting. And we still empty 2 of them out for them to go trick or treating with each year. Also use them for Easter egg hunts!

Go with the buckets.

Catflapkitkat · 21/10/2021 18:46

Love that bucket. What four year old wouldnt like it.

hopeishere · 21/10/2021 18:50

@showmethegin

My nieces are having a joint party on Halloween and are getting a big pumpkin each to carve at home with their families. Eco friendly!

Such a waste though. I hate all these decorative real pumpkins that are just binned after Halloween.

Paper bags are recyclable. Balloons are both dangerous and environmentally unfriendly. Just don't put sweets in the bag if sugar is an issue.

Or just don't bother. It's all wasteful really.

TheKeatingFive · 21/10/2021 18:52

I would not relish a big pumpkin coming home, no.

Or bath bombs. DS2 has terrible eczema, I'm not letting a bath bomb anywhere near him.

Notdoingthis · 21/10/2021 18:53

www.hubbub.org.uk/eat-your-pumpkin

scully29 · 21/10/2021 18:54

I would see a halloween bucket as just more excess plastic we dont need- who has room to store halloween stuff? I think if your trying to be more eco (which is a great plan) I would avoid any plastic at all as some families will just chuck it? Also i would check where they are made - have they travelled here from china?
I would give a box of chalks perhaps or a mini pumpkin is a great idea or something else tasty?

gogohm · 21/10/2021 18:55

Book and a piece of cake, far better than bags

clarepetal · 21/10/2021 19:00

Brilliant idea 💡 👏

Waspsarearseholes · 21/10/2021 19:02

This is just plastic tat. I would put it straight in the recycling bin I'm afraid and wonder why you didn't just opt for recycled and recyclable paper party bags. I'd not bother with 'healthy' treats either. Perhaps just get a pack of books (do they still do the ten for £10 multipacks?) or a ball or something.

DockOTheBay · 21/10/2021 19:03

These "reusable" buckets will only get used once more after the party (if that). Many kids don't go trick or treating so they would go in the bin. Those who do go trick or treating are fairly likely to just bin the bucket rather than store it for a year.

Nice paper bags can be reused as gift bags or at the very least recycled

DockOTheBay · 21/10/2021 19:07

Or just wrap a piece of cake in a napkin and don't bother with party bag/ bucket at all

TheKeatingFive · 21/10/2021 19:07

Those who do go trick or treating are fairly likely to just bin the bucket rather than store it for a year.

Mine absolutely cherish this kind of tat and it would get put away with the Halloween decorations and hauled out every year.

Original poster

Windymiller123 · 21/10/2021 19:29

Mine absolutely cherish this kind of tat and it would get put away with the Halloween decorations and hauled out every year.

We are the same. Got DD a witches hat for 67p 3 years ago and it gets used every year. This year in particular she wore it for her ballet. Got a Halloween dress last year which was a little large, she is wearing it this year and possibly next year. Easter buckets we got for her on first Easter are being used every year, they are made of felt not plastic but we never put them in the bin unless they break.

OP posts:

BrilliantBetty · 21/10/2021 19:42

All the the parties round here seem to do books.

Not suggesting you go down that route as it's a party... kids want a treat not a book.

I'm doing a kinder egg for each of the kids coming to DCs party. Easy and kids like them.

I like the bucket idea, my DC love halloween and we'd use this as a prop and save it for next year too.

Tipsylizard · 21/10/2021 20:02

I order puzzle books on mass from The Works. The kids get one, with a sticker and a treat size sweet of their choice. They get cake during the party.

scully29 · 21/10/2021 20:03

Betty how is a book not a treat!?

DietCokeChipsAndMayo · 21/10/2021 20:06

I wouldn’t like a bucket
We go trick or treating every year so obviously already have buckets - why would I need another??

mayblossominapril · 21/10/2021 20:12

I wouldn’t give a book. We are swamped with books and they are definitely not regarded as a treat in the same way as a party bag.
I would go for a paper bag, cake, sweets and maybe some felt pen. I would give a couple of good quality ones rather cheap a cheap pack. No balloons because they are bad for the environment and a choking hazard

leeloo1 · 21/10/2021 20:17

Sainsburys did have very cute cardboard trick or treat buckets if you wanted to be more eco friendly? Maybe with a mini pumpkin (also £1 from Sainsbury's)?

scully29 · 21/10/2021 20:30

for 4 year olds a little mr men book would be the kind of thing, something fun.

BeyondMyWits · 21/10/2021 20:32

A slice of cake, a freddo frog in a paper bag they have decorated themselves during the party with stickers. They are 4... give it some time before they get the same book at 5 parties a year because its got their name in it somewhere.

7 copies of "Ruby the whatever fairy"... seven... every parent thinking their choice a worthy offering instead of a party bag. 6 went to the charity shop. By number 4 Dd was saying "thank you" with a bit of a wobble...

yourestandingonmyneck · 21/10/2021 20:32

@showmethegin

My nieces are having a joint party on Halloween and are getting a big pumpkin each to carve at home with their families. Eco friendly!

If the parties on Halloween surely all the kids will already have their Halloween pumpkin though?

Waspsarearseholes · 21/10/2021 20:42

With regards to the pumpkin idea - you're actually sending the child away with homework. You're giving the parents another job to do. I wouldn't like a pumpkin at all, but then I don't 'do' Halloween so that's probably just me.

MumofBoys79 · 21/10/2021 20:51

What about an orange paper bag, you could draw faces on in black pen - just like the face on the bucket? You could make a stencil to make it quicker.
The mini pumpkin is a good idea and personally I would definitely include a little treat even if it's just a Yo Yo Bear.

I'm sure whatever you decide will be great though.

thehairyhog · 21/10/2021 21:03

I would do a paper bag, cake, mini pumpkin and eyes/nose/mouths stickers for the kids to give it a face, you can get reels of these and share them out. Personally I'd add a few small sweets.

I would think a plastic Halloween bucket would get judgey thoughts from many other parents, particularly if they are the type to worry about sugar at kids parties

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

Swipe left for the next trending thread