Or a genius

[TransformationChynaDoll]

My kids bday party is this weekend. With the room hire cost, cake, games etc I can't be arsed with party bags. Plus polar bears.
Thinking of hanging a sign which when you come in it reads 'there's no party bags' but like in jolly neon letters, maybe on a balloon arch so every knows where they stand. Is that mean or could I just be straight the kids, avoid disappointment and every one can just have a nice time then?

Would definitely get your message across I guess!!
I have in the past, done the cake right at the end of the party, and handed out slices to the children as they were leaving. No party bags, no sign!

When you say plus polar bears, do you mean you're thinking of the environment?

It would be more environnementally friendly to have some paper bags with a slice of cake, some stickers and a few sweets than a balloon arch to explain there are no bags.

Or just tell the parents when you invite the children. Or just don't mention it at all.

You mean, 'there are no party bags'.

Genius status questionable! 😆

Just don't mention it at all. Lots of parties don't have party bags.

Have cake for the children to eat (so that it's put out on the plate in good shape and doesn't crumble apart in the bag and get half-stuck to the napkin ) and other sweet snacks.

This is what I would do

Agree with the premise that a slice of cake & mini bag of Haribo /fancy pencil to take home is both cheaper and more eco friendly than a balloon arch.

Not mean at all but maybe a little weird? & balloons aren’t the most environmentally friendly thing anyway. I agree with PPs just to give cake out at the end and maybe a little chocolate token each like a Freddo or something?

Don't do balloons. Polar Bears.

Just give them a slice of cake and a few sweets in a paper bag.

And possibly a leaflet explaining in age appropriate language the plight of the planet and what their penchant for plastic shite is doing to the future of their planet.

Kids don’t use the plastic shite anyway ime. Go for cake and sweets like pps have said. And no balloons because of the polar bears

Mine are now adults and I never did party bags.

I was roasted on here for doing so!

How times change.

I hate party bags but would love a polar bear to take home. 😁

Just give out a piece of cake and a bag of sweets at the end. The only real purpose of a party bag is to signal that it's home time.

That was what happened at every party when I was little. The bags of stuff, when did they become a thing ?

I call (in my head at least) party bags "thanks for coming now fuck off bags".

It's a good way of getting rid of kids and parents. Bringing out the bags is the recognised "party is over" signal.

Where are you that polar bears are a threat?

Wrap a piece of cake in some tin foil - the cake will survive better and less mess than a napkin

If you want to get something get some stickers

However, the best thing we gave in a party bag was a tennis ball 🥎🥎🥎🥎🥎🥎

The children had so much fun with them and the parents were so pleased that it was actually a toy that could be played with and lasted rather than plastic tat

They aren't expensive to buy especially out of Wimbledon season 🙂🙂🙂🙂

what do you mean plus polar bears??? are you inviting them to the party? i mean the children may not get party bags, but don't count on the polar bears leaving without taking some 'snacks'.....

Unless things have changed in the last few years, I think that sadly party bags are expected. I don’t think my children ever attended a party without one. I would personally do something small and environmentally friendly so you’ve got something to clearly mark the end of the party. Otherwise you risk a lot of embarrassing questions and/or fuss from the children at the very point you just want them to leave!

I've not had coffee yet, I'm imagining polar bears lining up to receive party bags.

Oh, I imagined a polar bear being handed over to every child at the end of the party along with a slice of cake in tinfoil.

Maybe every child is getting a toy polar bear and the toy has its own party bag.

I've had coffee, I think I make less sense.

Kids expect party bags, they don't have to be expensive.

As people say, a few stickers, sweets and a pencil.

Bit rude to put a sign up..what would that achieve? I would think it was a bit off

I think it's fine to do without, but I would hand out cake as a signal to fuck off.

Obviously if the polar bears eat the attendees then it's a two birds one stone type situation.

I have to say, I have made peace with party bags doing things like pair of funky socks + mini Haribo bags. Erring on the side of useful.