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?

blardy link - try again here

I quite agree that party bags are a waste of time, money and enviromental resources.It really wouldn't bother me if my kids never received them ever again. My eldest is now 10 and I got away with a large bag of haribos for the 3 girls who came to the cinema and then out for a meal this year. However, my youngest is going to be 1 next week and I'm having the age old dilema yet again! what meaningful, cheap gift can you give a child of 1 and 2/3 siblings ranging in age from 3-9? Or should i stop the rot once and for all? Any ideas welcome!

What about sending them home with the stuff they make. My daughter has a craft parties for the last 2 years and I send the kids home with all the stuff they have made; tiaras, princess doorhangers, pirate hats, unopened craft kits (cause we ran out of time), and of course a reusable cotton tote they decorated along the way. It was easy to manage and the kids always love showing off what they have made when parents come to collect. P.S. I am planning a halloween party this year and going to make halloween crafts. Have a look at this site I have bookmarked for use again: www.crafts4parties.co.uk

Wrap a book for each of them, you can get some great box sets. Mine were at a party y'day and were given Where's Wally activity books (they're a bit younger than 9) and they loved them.

I don't always do the party bag DD1 had a tea party...I wrapped a little bracelet (on sale from Claire's)for each of them in tissue paper..they loved them!.they also had a new posh hat they helped design!...I don't think it's about the bags ...just a little something to remember the day

very very random...havent read through all posts so sorry if im repeating

there's a wilkinsons in wood green shopping city

xxx

Message withdrawn

The kids wont mind at all. Its the parents that will, you will be a playground leper and talked about at coffee mornings for years to come!

ZOMBIE THREAD ALERT!!