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Parenting

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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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Original poster

bubble99 · 29/08/2006 22:40

Although, half a bag of haribou has a similar effect in The Bubble Household.

OP posts:

ScummyMummy · 29/08/2006 22:41

Haribo is a company that makes a bewildering variety of truly wonderful sweets.

southeastastra · 29/08/2006 22:41

haribou are dumbed down sweets

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sleepysooz · 29/08/2006 22:43

We used to give party bags out as prizes, making sure that everybody won one obviously!

Once when we had a pirate party, they had to win everything separately, the eye patch, the hat etc, and they had hot dogs (made as ships with sails on them) the cake was a treasure cake with loads of quality streets on top, the kids loved it. We got such fantastic feedback from the kids and parents!

ScummyMummy · 29/08/2006 22:43

I don't like the foamy ones though. I let the boybles eat those.

Original poster

bubble99 · 29/08/2006 22:45

Sooz. Party bags as prizes, I like.

Party bags just because children 'expect them' - I hate.

OP posts:

sallystrawberry · 29/08/2006 22:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

edam · 29/08/2006 22:46

I like doing party bags. And love it when I bump into the party guests later and they tell me how much they enjoyed them. As a non-cook, non arty-crafty sort of person, they are a bit like my outlet for 'making' something.

sleepysooz · 29/08/2006 22:46

I hate that too bubble

southeastastra · 29/08/2006 22:47

if they don't appreciate them give them a pineapple each and be done with it. fun for all the family!

niceglasses · 29/08/2006 22:48

Must admit I haven't come across the competitive edge to party bags either - tends to be cake, choccy bar, balloon or bubbles here. Nowt flash like. I love the way they get so excited by it all.....

ScummyMummy · 29/08/2006 22:49

Just said to partner "some mnetters don't like party bags." He said "Really? Why? Can't they just put apple slices and walnuts and an organic whistle in them ones instead of good stuff?" Sorry if it was traiterous to mumsnetters everywhere but I laughed...

fattiemumma · 29/08/2006 22:50

Ds has only hd 1 birthday party. i didn't do party bags but i did buy a present for each child from the local £1 shop and wrapped them. then pinched a load of shredded paper from the school office and made a lucky dip inside my big green recylcing bin (washed out first of course)

when the kids won a game (which surprise surprise each child did) they got to dip for a present.

cheaper and more fun

ScummyMummy · 29/08/2006 22:51

them ones?! think I meant their ones

jasper · 29/08/2006 22:54

yes. ban them

sleepysooz · 29/08/2006 22:55

Also my ds hates it when I take certain sweets off him out of party bags, thats if he's not already eaten and puked them! sorry thats what the sweets do to him, so you mums out there that think you're being kind and good, you're not!

If you want to be arty and crafty, take a hobbie up, make little bags for xmas to put pressies in, but NOT sweeties! make labels for xmas and birthday pressies, make gift cards, theres loads to release that need to feel appreciated without overloading kids at parties.

If we must do party bags, a balloon, bubbles, birthday cake, 1 chocolate bar, how about printing a party photo off on computer of darling little party children.

southeastastra · 29/08/2006 22:59

maybe you should tell the mother if you have specific requirements for your party bag sleepy

Original poster

bubble99 · 29/08/2006 22:59

See, that's the thing, scummy. Why do people assume that because I don't like gratuitous tat that I'm a nose-whistly, pinko liberal, Guardian reader?

It's not so much what's in them. It's the fact that children expect them that gets to me.

I would object to an expected bag of apple slices, walnuts and organic whistle just as much.

I'm repeating myself, but If you came to my house and I cooked dinner for you and we had loads of wine and, on the way out, you asked me to give you a present as well, I would be P'd off. Why should we teach children to always 'expect' something on top of a party/prizes for games?

OP posts:

southeastastra · 29/08/2006 23:02

one day your child will grow out of party bags, it doesn't last long

TinyGang · 29/08/2006 23:03

Maybe they don't expect them in a grabby way, but because it's become a traditional part of the party. Like Christmas crackers at Christmas.

Original poster

bubble99 · 29/08/2006 23:06

It lasts long enough for them to think that Santa is short-changing them in their stockings, though.

Last year, almost everything that I'd bought for their Christmas stockings had been given to them in party bags at three December birthday parties. Given and broken within a few minutes and dropped on the floor. I don't expect my children to be wowed by a baked bean tin on a string. But you get my point?

OP posts:

mistressmiggins · 29/08/2006 23:08

I dont think children DO expect a party bag
my DS (4 1/2) never asks where his party bag is - the cake comes round & I always ask DS to wait til we get home

when he had his 4th bday party, the party bags had piece of cake and bag of marbles (boys) or sparkley pen (girls)
that was it
they were happy

Original poster

bubble99 · 29/08/2006 23:08

But really, when you look at the pile of presents at birthdays/Christmas, don't you ever wish that they had less and appreciated it more?

OP posts:

ScummyMummy · 29/08/2006 23:10

Sorry about the organic whistle. You're right about silly assumptions. It was just that the thought of an organic whistle made me laugh.

But wouldn't you expect me to bring a bottle if I came over, maybe? Isn't it just that our expectations change as we get older? I do think party bags are just conventions but i honestly think they're rather nice ones. Expecting ungrateful kids are a nono, i agree, but it hasn't been my experience, tbh.

ScummyMummy · 29/08/2006 23:12

I do wish they had less and appreciated more, def. But party bags don't seem a major contributor to the overflowing room conundrum in this flat.

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