Do I risk social death for my ds by not doing party bags?

[MadameDefarge]

Seriously, it is his first birthday a his new school. Ds is nine. I have booked bowling alley, and will feel them in groovy Amercian diner style cafe there, but I am losing the will to live over the party bag thing.

Now woolworths has gone, it will be impossible to do them in any cheap way...

So AIBU in thinking the little sods can live without them, given the very expensive treat they are already getting, or will I ruin his reputation in his new school?

Well either I never had much of a social life, or not giving party bags hasn't affected me (or them) in the slightest....never have done - and never will.

Unless a bag with a party hat, party blower and piece of cake counts as a "party bag"

there should be a

I think that would be

no need at all

and I agree with morloth

Are you going to Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes?

yes...ooh, is your ds part of my party?

That'd be nice, but no... I love it there and am thinking of ripping you off for the next one. Do they do a deal per child?

I also think that 9 is old enough to do without the party bag, they will be in shock after the 'feel' anyway and prob won't notice (classic typo!)

I did do bags recently for my 7yo and got the stuff online from Yellow Moon, where the DDs' school gets cash back. However, DD1 recently went to a party where they got a cupcake instead of a party bag, and she loved that. (It was an M&S cupcake...)

I made a stand and didn't do party bags once - never again. I overheard some of the children telling their Mums they couldn't leave yet because they didn't have their party bag and I felt awful explaining there wasn't any!

Nobody complained (to my face!) or made a fuss but I felt quite awkward. I always do party bags now but I refuse to put elaborate gifts in them. Instead I put in a bit of birthday cake and a few sweets (mini chocolate bars, lollipops, Haribo etc.) and everyone is happy.

No, they don't do any packages for kids, you just book the lanes, and a space in the lounge, but the rest is up to you.

I haven't been, but have heard great reports, so its fingers crossed.

I did say when I was booking it that they were missing a trick not doing kids party packages, but they got a bit snooty with me..."we are not set up for kids, that's why they have to be out by 4"

I did a lucky duup once and OMG at the complaints!

I dolike doing party bags now though, becuase I do them MY way: plain recycled bags decorated with their names (supposedly by older boys but usually by me at 2am morning of party LOL), and then individually chosen gifts

Not soe asy this time as ds3 has started a new school and I dont know the kids but will still micromanage- even have a spreadsheet lol; examples of things that go in are seed books for ds4's birthday (in April), homemade rabbit biscuit lollies, etc

What about a pack of 99p go-go crazy bones each and a piece of cake?

jelly, tell me more about the crazy bones? Mind is boggling.

Mmm... arsey is ringing bells - I tried to organise a daytime birthday thing there for my dh a while ago, and it's pretty much 1 - 4 kids are allowed if I remember right?

It's got quite a cool feel to it, I'm sure your ds and mates will have a great time.

Oh they love those, 99p in little packs from Smiths, cut off molten plastic with a face etched on

The boys also adore top trumps, and slam attacks- both iteral and the collectors cards, sadly

debi, they might have relaxed the rules somewhat, as we are having 10 kids on two lanes....

Oh, I meant from 1pm - 4pm! brain not in gear...

Tis back albeit online only

woolworths

but don't do them if you don't want the hassle, piece of cake should be sufficient especially as you are forking out for diner and bowling.

DS2 (8.5) is off sick toaday and when asked states that party bags are quite important as they make a party fun

but if a party was really great and expensive no party bags would be OK

I used to do them regularly till i got fed up of receiving crap bits of plastic in the party bags, and then realised that i was doing the exact same thing!

Now its a bit of cake and a few sweets and anything else guaranteed to make your child hyper till bedtime!

If it was me, i'd give them each a piece of cake or individual cup cake and get some temporary tatoos - they do some great ones on Ebay, very cheap and things like cobra heads, spiders etc.

No need for an actual party 'bag' imo but it's nice to go home with something other than a slice of cake.

However, I love doing things like party bags so if you don't want to do them then I don't think its a problem.

tattoos

Hmmm. I am edging towards a very slimmed down party bag, (sorry to Morloth and FAQ). Maybe if I got recycled paper bags and some ecofriendly seed-growing thingy with cake that would work? With cake, of course.

Oh bugger.

I love party bags myself! that's the problem! Its just the doing of them that is doing my head in, iyswim. It used to be a swift raid on woolies and all sorted, but now....

What about a personalised certificate to take home? - google 'bowling award certificates' and lots of links come up. 10 wouldn't take long to do, it would be cheap and easy and I'm sure they would like them.
Plus cake, of course.