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Original poster

Can we start a mnet movement to ban party bags?

412 replies

bubble99 · 29/08/2006 20:18

Back in the dark ages, when I was a girl, we sometimes got an extra piece of birthday cake in a paper napkin to take home.

When did this 'party bag' nonsense start? From what I can see most of it is (expensive) junk and, what offends me more, is that the guests look for it.

Am I an old skinflint/curmudgeon? No honest answers required.

FGS, most parents have already forked-out for the food and the makeover/clown/entertainer/ unicycling jugglers, as it is. Isn't that enough?

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Jimjams2 · 30/08/2006 08:50

For the last party we had (joint ds2/ds3- adults+kids type thing) I used party sticks rather than party bags. The photo doesn't really do them justice, the little note thing tied round the bottom looks really good.

But I suspect half of mumsnet would pass out with horror as it involves children getting hold of sweets (horror). I think my SIL refused one for dh's nephew . Other people however asked for the phone number

SherlockLGJ · 30/08/2006 08:53

Piece of cake and an age appropriate book.

katierocket · 30/08/2006 08:55

I love party bags. It's not about whether you as parents hate them - they're not for you!

Jimjams - they look great

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pointydog · 30/08/2006 08:57

Some of you stay up far too late, you know.

I think we're all agreed then that party bags are ace.

MrsFio · 30/08/2006 08:57

I actually like party bags and I steal the cake out of them before either of my children notice. Although dd has noticed and keeps eating it as soon as she gets hold of the bag....

SherlockLGJ · 30/08/2006 08:57

LGJ faints clean away.

pointydog · 30/08/2006 08:59

jimjams - I can see everyone is also going to be in agreement about your party sticks...

iota · 30/08/2006 08:59

ooh this thread reminds me to get the party bags sorted out for ds2's party.

Luckily for me all my RL friends do party bags full of tat, so I will be able to reciprocate

pointydog · 30/08/2006 09:00

And Sherlock, just reading about 'an age appropriate book' has pooped my party buzz.

Auntymandy · 30/08/2006 09:00

I hate party bags. What a waste of money.
Also think that when a child gets to school instead of everyone buying pressies the whole class should give £2each for each child on their birthday so they can buy somethig they really want instead of getting 20 little boxes of...well tat!!!!
God I am horrid!!!!
Some presants are really nice i must admit, but as they get older they want more expensive things.

SherlockLGJ · 30/08/2006 09:01

LGJ

Comes around, looks at all that sugar on a stick and again, faints clean away.

Master LGJ however makes hay whilst the sun shines, grabs a stool and raids the treats cupboard.

katierocket · 30/08/2006 09:02

God how miserable you must be Auntymandy - they're just kids - it's just a party bag.

SherlockLGJ · 30/08/2006 09:02

pointydog

If you weren't high on the mere discussion of Haribo's, you would be better able to manage your expectations.

Orlando · 30/08/2006 09:03

God, I love party bags.

I'm toe-curlingly awful at hosting children's parties. I need 3 pints of rescue remedy just to get through writing the invitations. But party bags I can do. They give me an opportunity to redeem myself at the very last minute and send people away with a smile on their faces. It gives the parents the illusion their kids have had a nice time.

MrsFio · 30/08/2006 09:03

I like it best when my children are given the peice of cake with the most icing on too, it so makes my day

pointydog · 30/08/2006 09:06

Ah yes, hariboooh. When your kids are getting high on alcohol at parties, then you'll long for those haribo days.

Sherlock - do you have a job where you have to be strict with lots of people?

SherlockLGJ · 30/08/2006 09:09

Technically no ??

Why do you ask ??

ScummyMummy · 30/08/2006 09:09

lol fio. Agree that icing to cake ratios are of vital importance.

Actually, I want cake now.

Jimjams2 · 30/08/2006 09:13

I'm eating a piece of cake now.

SherlockLGJ · 30/08/2006 09:15

It's a bit early for a sugar rush is it not ?

prettybird · 30/08/2006 09:16

Ds is 6 in 2 weeks time.

I don't "do" part bags - but as we get a magician in (a family friend), he gives out wee bags at the end, so I put a slice of birthday cake in that.

Half the kids forget to take it homw anyway.

Tjis will be the third year that we have had Silly Billy, so I am not sure if ds will still want him next year.

I suspect that if we do something different, the kids will have to make do with the old fashioned "slice of birthday cake and that's it". Can't be bothered with the faff (says she who has happily made home made Thomas/Henry/James etc cakes since ds was 2 and who is embarking on a Dalek cake this year! ).

Fortunately, ds' friends - and just as importantly, their parents - don't seem to expect "extras". I've also not yet expereinced the "whole calss invitation" sydromn that some Mumsnetters seem to have to deal with.

Jimjams2 · 30/08/2006 09:16

nope it was delicious, and ds1 and ds3 are eating a biscuit.

Auntymandy · 30/08/2006 09:16

Didnt have party bags when I was a child. Took home a piece of cake.
I do party bags but dont like 'em!!

niceglasses · 30/08/2006 09:17

I quite like the way it sticks to the tissue and is somehow whipped up and peaked because of this - tastes all the nicer. And you can lick it off the tissue if desperate. Which I usually am.

pointydog · 30/08/2006 09:18

I can just hear you talking in a strict way to suppress any nonsense, sherlock .

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