Green alternatives to party bags for 3 yo birthday party.

[Callisto]

It is my daughter's 3rd birthday in a couple of months and, as I loathe the thought of party bags filled with cheap plastic tat made by small children in Chinese sweat shops, I need an alternative. Half of me would like to not give anything at all at the end of the party (bar some squashed birthday cake wrapped in a napkin) but my more generous spirited side thinks that I should do something. My only idea so far is a pot with some compost and a couple of sunflower seeds. I'm sure there must be far better ideas so please, please share.

books! the book people do packs of those osbourne sticker fairy tale books. but order soon cos mine didn't come in time.

In my neck of the woods books in party bags have become quite de rigeur... I presume they're getting them from places like the Book People - it's what I'm going to do. A book or book of stickers & some sweeties: it's all you need.

Try here
Love the pot and seed idea.

pot and seed idea great

you can also get paper bags (nice coloured ones) off ebay

you could give them interesting fruit instead of sweeties

Was going to suggest pot and seeds

treasure hunts are a good idea - so the kids search for their treasure to take home eg pack of seeds each/lolly/apple - entertainment and treat in one go

a piece of cake is fine on its own too i think

they are only 3 do the pot and seed thing. that is all they need.

I'd go for books myself. My two got the pot and seed thing from a party and never looked at it again after the party. The book people do some great ones.

Depending on your budget there is a seller on ebay who sews party bags in girls or boys designs so the actual bag itself is a useful object to keep.

Its obviously more expensive than plastic party bags which are cheap as chips but I've decided to just have the bags with a mini book in each at ds1's next party plus cake. I am however, also going to offload my stash of grandparent sourced chocolate and sweets randomly across the bags safe in the knowledge that its going to a good home and he'll never miss it as he much prefers crisps.

I will feel sanctimonious about improving access to books for all kids invited, slightly guilty about giving them sweets/chocolate and apprehensive about the hoard of incoming presents to be generated by the impending party.

I'd love to put "no gifts please" on the invitations but I don't want to be seen as any more of an oddball parent than I already am.

Thanks for all of the responses. I like the book idea, but I am worried that cheap books are just as likely to be made in the aforementioned sweatshop as plastic tat.

So should I plant the seeds or give the makings (seeds, pots, compost) and let the child do it at home?

Fedupwasherwoman - I'd love to put a 'please no gender-specific plastic tat' on the invites but I don't think anyone would turn up...

I never do party bags.

In the past I have done books, puzzle books, and downloaded puzzles/colouring sheets from internet which I print out on recycled paper and tie up in a scroll with recycled string.

Instead of sweets, you could bake big cookies and ice each child's name on. Or I have done bags of fair trade chocolate coins (for a pirate party.)

I also think you can never have too many pencils at home, so you coud buy some ethicallt sourced/recycled pencils and put those in.

I think the seed/compost thing is a great idea and I think you should let the kids plant them themselves. I actually think that's enough along with a piece of cake.

I did earthenware pots with bag of soil and a sunflower seed once (for child to do themselves) and it went down well

we let the children decorate them first with glitter pens

jesters do wooden toys and paper bags

if it helps i dont think books are printed in 'sweatshops' - they are often printed in china but on massive presses that require only one or two adults to operate. There will be packing and shipping but it tends to be done by women our age

the cheaper books tend to be on cheaper paper, not 'current' titles etc so that is why the cost is reasonable

for DS's 2nd birthday we are doing a (fairtrade) chocolate tractor lollipop, a sheet of tractor stickers and a whistle.

There is a fab sticker shop on ebay - I'll see if I can get it...

fab sticker shop

Thanks everyone for some great ideas.

Instead of a bag, have the kids make something to take home. For DDs 3rd, I bought plain t-shirts in bulk, and we drew on them with fabric crayons. While the kids were playing I ironed them to set the colour and they took them home as their "goodie".

A friend had the kids decorate gingerbread people, which were wrapped up to take home.

Hi

Look at((www.ethicalpartybags.com this page)) No plastic tut. All Fairtrade and Recycled party bags.

Enjoy the party.

Sorry

My IT skills are not quite right today - I will try again.

Try party bags from this company.

oooh, glad I saw this thread

think we'll do pots and seeds at ds' 5th party...what're the best seeds do you think?