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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to give out bags of tat at birthday party?

226 replies

NameChanged45678 · 19/09/2023 21:17

DS is having a party for his 5th birthday next week. 25 kids and I’ve just been adding party bag fillers to my Amazon basket, there is now £100 worth of the usual crap in my basket ready to purchase….surely I can get something better for £4 per kid?

im trying to avoid sweets as 3 of the kids attending are type1 diabetic so thought it would be easier to have non-edible party bag contents.

OP posts:
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Saz12 · 19/09/2023 21:52

I like all the suggestions! Books, seeds (though probably limited to cress at this time of year!), Crafts, bath things

I get it, I hated the party bag stuff as it all seemed like it would end up in landfill by the following week. Something to signal its the end of the party is probably enough though - tombola with cheap but non-plastic prizes, pinata...DH got good (hmmm) at making balloon animals so made each party goer one and handed them out at the exit.

M103 · 19/09/2023 21:57

I bought multipacks of gloves and gave one pair to each kid. Went down well with both kids and parents. Think it's a useful present as kids loose gloves all the time. You can buy them from Amazon or H&M etc. Worked out at around £1.50 a kid, maybe even less. Also done the books others suggested, also a success.

BelindaBears · 19/09/2023 21:59

We’ve been to a few parties where they got a piece of the birthday cake and a book. My DD complained bitterly at the lack of a party bag but other children are probably less ungrateful!

HamSandwichKiller · 19/09/2023 22:06

Gawd no to books. They're always crap books and go straight in the recycling. Chuck some birthday cake, small bag of sweets/chocs, bubbles and a keyring or whatever in a bag and call it a day.

EddieVedderSingsToMe · 19/09/2023 22:08

I also hate cheap plastic tat in party bags. For my son’s last party I gave a small Nerf gun to each child, and for his previous party a fidget spinner and the means to make their own name bracelet (some elastic and beads with the letters of their name on). All of these went down well.

wineandsun · 19/09/2023 22:12

I gave out paint your own money box from hobby craft,£2 each and a bag of haribos

Starlightstarbright2 · 19/09/2023 22:14

I once bought balls from Poundland once . Went down a storm

MooMa83 · 19/09/2023 22:15

I bought plain white fabric bags and put fabric pens inside with some cake. Put a note on each bag 'please decorate me'....the kids loved it!

PinkRoses1245 · 19/09/2023 22:15

I wish party bags would die out. Just give a piece of cake.

PinkRoses1245 · 19/09/2023 22:16

Such a bizarre concept - as an adult i don’t expect a gift when I leave my friends party!

ISpyNoPlumPie · 19/09/2023 22:17

We give books. Mr Men set £33 on Amazon - 48 books. And a slice of cake. Never do party bags…hate them.

MarySmit · 19/09/2023 22:18

Books sound lovely (I'm aghast at the lone hater of books who puts them in the recycling.. at least pass them on or give to charity), as do balls or bubbles

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 19/09/2023 22:21

I got a huge box of cars from home bargains for £10. Each child got two cars at least. It was a damaged box which is why it was heavily discounted but nothing wrong with the contents.

I also bought a few of those paw patrol lucky bags and then dished out the contents so it wasn't a whole bag and I only had to buy 4 rather than 15...

Vinted also have people selling party bag stuff.

Sassy306 · 19/09/2023 22:21

Reusable drinks bottle, personalise and fill with mixed sweets

AliOlis · 19/09/2023 22:22

HamSandwichKiller · 19/09/2023 22:06

Gawd no to books. They're always crap books and go straight in the recycling. Chuck some birthday cake, small bag of sweets/chocs, bubbles and a keyring or whatever in a bag and call it a day.

Why do you put books straight into the recycling? What a dreadful mindset to be burdened with.

Mercs · 19/09/2023 22:23

This

Abetterplaice · 19/09/2023 22:23

Baker Ross craft packs & cheap book deals the way to go. Always go down well, add a tiny pack of sweets if you must.

Clefable · 19/09/2023 22:23

For DD1's birthday we did stickers, felt animal masks, a mini colouring book, some sweets and some seeds IIRC in a paper bag.

The masks were the biggest hit, every kid was wearing them out of the door and I've seen some wearing them with fancy dress at various events we've been to since, and 6 months later, DD1 is still playing with the several we have left over.

I love doing party bags though. I remember how exciting getting one was as a kid!

bert3400 · 19/09/2023 22:29

Sunflower seeds and tiny little pots. Set a challenge to see who's grows the biggest sunflower. Have a WhatsApp group and once they have grown, offer an extra prize to the biggest sunflower when Spring comes . Get the kids to take photos of the progress of the sunflowers ?

LadyB49 · 19/09/2023 22:34

At my grandson's birthday party each child brought a book they had finished with and took a different one home. No tat.

AliOlis · 19/09/2023 22:35

LadyB49 · 19/09/2023 22:34

At my grandson's birthday party each child brought a book they had finished with and took a different one home. No tat.

That's a great idea.

Switcher · 19/09/2023 22:40

EddieVedderSingsToMe · 19/09/2023 22:08

I also hate cheap plastic tat in party bags. For my son’s last party I gave a small Nerf gun to each child, and for his previous party a fidget spinner and the means to make their own name bracelet (some elastic and beads with the letters of their name on). All of these went down well.

Oh my god you handed out NERF guns?? Did the other parents not give you the side eye for several weeks? I spend my life trying to avoid the damn things.

GirlOfTudor · 19/09/2023 22:42

I don't think people do party bags of 'tat' anymore do they?? My child has been to a few parties and has received a book from one and an activity book with mini pencils from another. I quite like the idea of giving something that will keep the kids occupied for more than 5 minutes.

DinnaeFashYersel · 19/09/2023 22:42

Mr Men books £2 each and a slice of cake. Job done.

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