Party Bags - Double Arrrggghhhhh!!!!

[SprocketAndTubbs]

Disclaimer:

I am a single mum and don't have too much spare cash. I have been offered a great new job, which involves myself and my DS (7) relocating next week.

DS's last day at school is tomorrow. The school has been fantastic and we will both really miss it. DS is lucky enough to have made some brilliant friends there and the whole of his class are very close.

Because we are moving away at short notice, I have not had time to organise a leaving party or anything special for DS, so instead I offered to make up little party bags for all his class as a way of DS saying goodbye. This has possibly not been the best move I have ever made. It was fab idea in concept but the reality is it has been quite expensive, yet I have just put the bags together and they seem half empty.

Each bag contains:

2 x balloons (one big one small)
2 x lollies
1 x pencil
1 x rubber (I started to scrape the barrel for ideas at this point)
1 x pot of bubbles
1 x packet of seeds.

I bought the seeds on offer. I thought that the children may want to plant them and look forward to them growing, as I know with most party bags they are forgotten about in 5 minutes, after the sweets have been eaten.

All the above cost just under £45 and I now think it could have almost been cheaper having a small party. I can't work out if the bags are too empty or if I have spent too much money. Probably both. I just wanted DS to be able to hand out something nice for the children to remember on his last day.

£45 for essentially some plastic tat - I have lost the plot haven't I??!

ahh that sounds lovely and no plastic tat that I can see
If you are looking for more to add then maybe a pack of choc buttons (assuming lollies aren't chocolate) or a yoyo?

I think that's a lovely thought. Especially as you don't have much cash! My DD did the same when we relocated, a little gift for everyone to say bye.

Awww that sounds lovely, good luck with the move :-)

A small party might have costed more if you invited the whole class.

seeds, bubbles, and the rest, all lovely.

You've done brilliantly, now go and think about something else

You could put in a homemade gingerbread man to fill it up?

Some of the nicest parties for this age group are ones are the ones where you all just go to the park! You wouldn't necessarily need to pay for any food if you email everyone and ask them if they fancy coming to an end of term picnic in the park! This is generally what happens at our school when children leave.

That sounds OK to me. A nice thought, not over the top, but not cheap and nasty either.
£45 sound a lot, but if you'd had the party you'd probably end up doing some sort of party bag on top.

Homemade playdough - wrap in clingfilm or put in a plastic sandwich bag. Cheap and easy to make, though you may need a shopping trip to get enough salt.

Just wanted to say a huge thank you for all the reassurance you have given me , and also the fab ideas . Just off on the school run, but will reply much better when we return. Thanks again (phew!)

"Homemade playdough "
Make sure you tell people what it is! I'd probably end up giving iut to DS to eat

This isn't going to fill the party bag up, but you could get your ds to write them a letter on the computer and print it off. You could include an email address if he wants to stay in contact with them (and you agree to this) or a postal address so he has proper old fashioned penpals?
Just a thought because many of my dds friends have left over the past couple of years (I live in the land of student parents!) and she really misses some of them and loves staying in contact with them (she is 7 as well)

ooh yes roll it up & tie it with something interesting - ribbon or decorative stuff

I really don't think you need to add anything.

Yes it all adds up doesn't it, but you definitely haven't bought tat! It's a really lovely gesture (particularly when you are busy packing).

Some great ideas here - love the letter idea Monoid and the gingerbread men

Following on from that, if you just want something to fill the bag up (not that I think you need to at all) and you have the time/can be bothered, you could:

download a few children's black and white puzzles or colouring pages and print on some cheapish printer paper (join the dots, spot the difference that sort of thing) and put a folded "puzzle" sheet in the bag for them.

Congratulations on your new job!

you sound lovely!

i wouldn't add anything except the lovely idea of a forwarding address for your laddy to remain in touch with a few friends if he chooses...

good luck with your move!

I think that all sounds fine - I don't think your kid's friends will be diappointed.

I always get my dd's party bag stuff in asda, they have some really cool things and a 2 for 3 offer on all party favours which seems to be a long term thing - it's really good value compared to other places IMO.

Good luck with the move!

I think you've made great party bags!
Good luck with your new job and the move.

It sounds lovely and it definitely isn't plastic tat either.

It is DD's party this weekend, she is celebrating her 8th birthday. The girls and the toddlers are getting a mini pot of bubbles and a mini soft cuddly dog. The 6y boys are getting a little Ben 10 box which has a Ben 10 figure and some jelly sweets, along with the mini bubbles. And that is it. Bags may well look quite empty when full, but I don't care!

Love the idea of gingerbread. Any homebaking would be a winner.

Contact details for you DS and his friends to keep in touch? You could get him to sit and make his own little business cards!

Stickers? Jelly beans? Bouncy balls?

I know that Tesco do loads of party bag stuff in packs of 8, 10, 12 etc.. if you think that they are too empty.
The children wont mind what's in them. Hopefully they appreciate that it's the thought that counts.
Don't stress over the party bags and good luck with the big move! x

I think you've put enough in the bags...the only thing I would add are your new address, with a "please keep in touch" note.

Hello all

Sorry, that was slightly longer than a school run!! We have spent the evening writing 'business cards' up and decorating them (fantastic idea - thank you!!). I have set an e-mail address up for DS using his name as the address, IYKWIM, so that any children who would like to can stay in touch with him. I will have full access to it, so not too worried that he has an e-mail address at just 7 - will be so much easier to e-mail photos across and that kind of thing.

Thanks again for all your lovely messages and advice - the gingerbread men is genius although unfortunately I have already packed most of my kitchen up!!

Think I was over thinking the bags, but DS recently attended a brilliant party and the bags were gorgeous - spotty paper bags full of goodies. I wanted to aspire to that kind of thing too (guilty single mother syndrome!!) Also, where we are from, party bags and the effort invested into them are often commented on at the school gates and I didn't want to be a talking point after our departure. Am glad that you all think they sound good. Thank you again