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AIBU?

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:
Thread gallery
9
DrLucyVanPelt · 19/09/2023 22:43

Etsy has some nice things in lieu of traditional party bags. Little painting sets, origami kits, friendship bracelets.

Something like this and a slice of cake would be lovely and definitely cheaper!

To not want to give out bags of tat at birthday party?
ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 19/09/2023 22:43

So bad for the environment. Junk that ends up in the tip.

LolaSmiles · 19/09/2023 22:45

The party bag alternatives I've liked have been:
Mini colouring books
Pack of seeds / seed bombs
A book
Stickers
Bubble pot
A cupcake

My least favourite have been party bags with easily breakable toys (eg mini diggers or cars) and random things that will never get played with like slappy wrist bracelets, party blowers, balloons, a tiny model animal shape that is a plain bright colour.

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 19/09/2023 22:49

TheNameIsDickDarlington · 19/09/2023 21:26

A quick look at asda and hobby craft I've found these "Paint your own" sets. Quite a few different types for £4 and under so you could get sets that match the theme or just a selection and kids can choose what they want, although then you risk the kids all wanting the same and not having enough of that type.

My DC are older teens now but isn't this the sort of thing you'd buy the birthday child for a gift (especially if it's just a school friend party)? Seems a crazy party bag option to me!

Fixyourself · 19/09/2023 22:50

I'm sorry but no 5 year old would be delighted to receive a book instead of a party bag!

CantThinkOfANewUsernameAgain · 19/09/2023 22:50

10 for 10 books from the works.

Mulhollandmagoo · 19/09/2023 22:50

I gave out bubble wands and my daughters last party. I've been to one where we were given a book, but also a couple where we were just given cake with a thank you for coming to my party sticker on, save yourself the hassle OP.

Gwendimarco · 19/09/2023 22:52

Mistressanne · 19/09/2023 21:21

I did a bran tub for dd. That way you only need 1 gift per dc and it’s more fun.
So you could probably buy a ball,small car etc each.

100% this! Piece of cake and one of the balloons to take home each, and a lucky dip. Happy kids, Robert’s your father’s brother!

BoredZelda · 19/09/2023 22:53

We give books. Mr Men set £33 on Amazon

What makes you think the kids don't have them already?

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

Burdened? What a strange thing to say. The kind of books you're getting for £1 each are hardly high literature. I love books but people are so weird about them, in such a pompous way.

SoapCollector · 19/09/2023 22:53

I like the idea of giving books. Maybe you could put the books in a big sack/ bag then the children can do a lucky dip as they leave.

If you did want to use individual bags Asda do paper treat bags in various colours as an alternative to the plastic bags usually used.

Rollerboots · 19/09/2023 22:54

we gave these at my daughters party this year. Kids loved them, and I’m pretty sure all would have played with them.

To not want to give out bags of tat at birthday party?
Bibbitybobbitty · 19/09/2023 22:56

Book each & piece of cake, hate all the party bag tat. The works does £10 for 10 so much cheaper as well

AliOlis · 19/09/2023 22:59

BoredZelda · 19/09/2023 22:53

We give books. Mr Men set £33 on Amazon

What makes you think the kids don't have them already?

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

Burdened? What a strange thing to say. The kind of books you're getting for £1 each are hardly high literature. I love books but people are so weird about them, in such a pompous way.

The 10 for £10 are perfectly good books which happen to be sold at a bulk discount. They're kid's books, they're never going to be high literature anyway.
The irony of discounting books for young kids as non literature whilst calling me pompous 🤣

StrongGirlsClub · 19/09/2023 23:00

if you have a Home Bargains nearby they are great for party bags. Usually have Disney and marvel sticker books, basic card game sets and craft sets for under £1. Always go down well!

Pumpernickel27 · 19/09/2023 23:01

I did party bags quite cheaply, each child got a piece of cake, sweets, a balloon and a small tube of bubbles. I needed to buy a bag of balloons anyway so I could blow some up for the party. Big bag of sweets from home bargains and bubbles from amazon. Doesn't have to cost a lot although I appreciate you don't want to include lots of sweets.

We've been to a couple of parties where there's been a craft activity instead of a party bag and those things are just sat in a drawer as my child isn't really interested in doing them.

Nodeepdiving · 19/09/2023 23:09

I appreciate this might not be popular, but I did preloved party bags this year: Mr Men book, plastic dinosaur, toy car and a mask, all from the charity shop. Added lollipops at DS's insistence. I doubt it would've come to much more than £2 including the bags. You need to start hunting early and be quite critical, but it can certainly be done!

Nodeepdiving · 19/09/2023 23:10

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 19/09/2023 22:43

So bad for the environment. Junk that ends up in the tip.

Do charity shop/ preloved bags!

Frabbits · 19/09/2023 23:10

Just don't bother.

As a parent on both sides of the fence, I hate giving out party bags full of plastic shite AND I hate seeing my kid coming home with a party bag full of plastic shite.

JMSA · 19/09/2023 23:11

Fixyourself · 19/09/2023 22:50

I'm sorry but no 5 year old would be delighted to receive a book instead of a party bag!

I agree. I adore books, but a book instead of a party bag is very much an adult preference.

Totallyterrific · 19/09/2023 23:15

YABVU to spend £4 per kid just on party bags. Madness! If you want to avoid sweets Id put in a piece of cake and some stickers. Sorted.

Louisa4987 · 19/09/2023 23:22

My 4 soon to be 5 year old has always been thrilled with the books she's had in party bags so it's not true that all kids would be disappointed with books!

CaspianPlover · 19/09/2023 23:25

I am showing my age, but isn't the party the treat? A slice of cake and one for siblings who didn't attend and a balloon to take home.. that is plenty. I don’t know where all this party bag stuff came from but you need to make a stand against it. The party is the treat.

TheFormidableMrsC · 19/09/2023 23:30

Poundland is good for birthday bits. Hot wheels cars are a quid in there, so one of those and a cake or balloon? For my daughter, I bought little coin purses for each guest from Primark and a lip balm (it was all girls). I've never spent more than £2 per bag.

IWantNotASoundOutOfYou · 19/09/2023 23:32

I put these in the last party bag I did, very impressive for £1. Also included sweets and a spy pen (with UV light).

www.poundfun.com/products/kinetic-flow-rings