What age did you stop giving party bags?

[TreeAtMyWindow]

Daughter is turning 8. We've agreed a fairly low-key celebration this year: 1 hr activity for her and five friends, followed by pizza and cake. It's suddenly struck me people might be expecting party bags. If I'd hired a church hall, I'd definitely be doing them, but this is more in my head as an activity than a party.

I can sort something out if I have to, I'd probably just get everyone a book. If there isn't a social expectation that I should, though, I'd rather save the time and money.

What age did you drop party bags?

I think books are tricky:

• some kids may have it if it's a good/ popular book for that age
• if it's not a decent book and a random reduced one from The Works then they won't want to read it
• they generally are choosing their own books (and are into their own genres/ series) by that age and don't want a 'random' one

I wouldn’t do books for that age either tbh. You’re generally looking at chapter books for that age (so not the cheap £1 ones in the works) and I’ve found a lot read because they have to and not necessarily for pleasure. But also if you do box sets they have probably got those books already. I’ve been to a lot of parties in the younger years with books and they’ve always been read once have never been favourites as there is often a reason why they’ve been put in the cheap bundles.

Things like sweet cones, bath bombs, lip balm ,hair accessories, mugs etc go down well at that age.

@bunnycat, my DD couldn't handle a book from a series if she didn't have all the others and read them in the right order! At 15, she's reads a lot but is exactly the same! OP, my DD loved any climbing parties she went to, great idea.

A notebook tends to go down quite well, but personally I think edible items will not be wasted or create more 'stuff' in the house. Definitely not a present just for the sake of giving something. Even bath bombs, my DD hasn't had a bath for years and has a drawer full of these. Chocolate or sweets don't need to be eaten immediately but will get eaten. Nice gel pens would probably be used but girls tend to have loads.

Thank you all for an interesting tour of gift-giving customs in the UK, and the useful suggestions. There are clearly some pretty major variations in what's usual - I cannot imagine giving cash! - and in what's considered a desirable present. I've regifted a lot of bathbombs in my time, as everyone in my family has sensitive skin, and sweets are a nightmare unless they're in original packaging due to DD's allergies. Clearly these are more appreciated in other households.

Many of you will be disappointed to hear that when I spoke to DD about it, she'd already decided that the party bags should contain ... books! She'd even given thought to each friend's tastes and come up with some titles. My feeling is that it's her party, so she gets to choose as long as it isn't inappropriate or unaffordable. If we get a reputation for boring party bags, I can live with that.

When the parties stopped snd it was just sleepovers.