To ask for your alternatives to party bags

[TheoTheopolis23]

Had the great idea of doing sweetie cones from a poster on here (they were of the opinion that the toys were plastic tat, broke easily, crap for environment etc., Plus kids only really interested in the sweets so just do sweetie cones and I thought they had a point).

This went down a treat, no pun intended; another school Mum told me she was going to copy it so there have been a few more since.

What could you do instead, rather than sweetie cones again? There's an old thread saying personalized mugs, drinks containers, t-shirts etc.
But I can't see mugs or drinks bottles for less than £7/8 and there are hopefully going to be 40 kids. T-shirts - I thought you weren't supposed to put kids names on t-shirts for safety, and I wouldn't know what characters etc they're all into so ...

I can't see most of the parents going in for the plant a seed etc type stuff.

Personalised chocolate bars looked like a goer, but I'm hoping to do chocolate fountains and giving them a chocolate bar straight after is kinda more of the same.

Has anyone done anything else that went down well?

Thank you 🙏

A baking kit

Polaroid camera/mini photo booth and some silly dress ups so they can take a bunch of fun photos home.

Or on Etsy, laser cut names/shapes to paint - you can get them in little kits, all ready bagged up to hand out for about £2 a pop

I've seen giant lollies with personalised stickers before, I'll attach a photo if it'll let me:

A book that matches the theme?

Similar to sweetie cones but pick n mix in a little stripy paper bag went down well at my DD’s party.

(Also helium balloons for each child were mentioned, but helium is increasingly costing quite a lot, we had issues with previous helium cannisters and, being a tree-hugger, the thought of all that plastic foil being released into the environment (they always seem to escape) and being dumped is sitting uneasily with me. Card factory sat they take them back for recycling but realistically who's going to do that).

I've done little books once for ds and a small baking kit for dd's most recent party.

We've had books and seeds already planted in pot, just add water. Seeds varied according to circumstances (balcony, garden or indoor)

Gosh I wasn't expecting so many replies so quickly at this time. Thank you so much, great ideas!

Little cactus (can get from ikea). Add googlie eyes for fun if kids are young.

Don't actually have a theme 😀

How old?

Little ones a blob of homemade playdough in a takeaway pot, plus a cutter. If you make it in bulk in the food mixer pretty quick to do

Or I've bought large multipack of crayons and split up, and added printable colouring sheets downloaded from cbeebies or similar depending on age/interest/theme of party.

any age - Book from discount bookshop - can do this as a lucky dip.

Cheap mug from IKEA or similar - decorate with suitable pens at the party - mug is then the party gift - can stick a funsize choc in if you like

Cheap photo frame from IKEA - decorate frame as party activity - take printer with you, take group photo of children at start of party (obviously check for any child protection issues) print off photos during course of party, send framed photo home as memento. This went down very well at daughter's party.

The old thread mentioned books too and a poster commented that reactions had been mixed lol

I suppose it's difficult to get a book that will appeal to everyone.

I also think they're expecting sweets and tat, and might be v disappointed if they don't get it (or at least the sweets).

Not very healthy but ..

I hate giving sweets too, i got this party bag pack with a toy, pencils, little book etc in them all ready done from party packs or something and then just added in party rings or something. It all goes to waste anyway.

You mention t shirts. Job lot of cheap plain t shirts, fabric pens. Decorate t shirt at party, take home. Add a pack of buttons if liked. Activity and present in one!

*Cheap mug from IKEA or similar - decorate with suitable pens at the party - mug is then the party gift - can stick a funsize choc in if you like

Cheap photo frame from IKEA - decorate frame as party activity - take printer with you, take group photo of children at start of party (obviously check for any child protection issues) print off photos during course of party, send framed photo home as memento. This went down very well at daughter's party.*

Lovely ideas.

This is probably going to be a bouncy castles/inflatables/disco party for a lot of kids , so I don't know if craft activities will work. They would definitely be great for a smaller one though.

One year we did “adopt a puppy” to take home

basically a basket of little soft toys each with a ribbon and cardboard tag… the kids loved choosing and naming their little dog to take home

This could be messier/more slapdash than decorating smaller items, so it could work.

I read that as a book of matches.

Ummmm no.

Aww!

I'm guessing it was not a big party (!)

😂

Yeah, it's a new community hall, it needs to be left standing.

Simple comic books are lovely.

Plant pots and seeds or packets of cress.

It was 33 children but by the time you’ve bought all the bags/sweets/tat etc it didn’t really work out any different - a few cheapish but nice soft toys, use some ribbon you’ve got kicking around and a little bit of craft card… it was so easy!