Helium balloon or party bag for 4 year olds?

[cluccles]

DH wants to get each guest a nice foil helium balloon to take home, but I think it will be a bit OTT with a party bag as well. I had reluctantly planned to do party bags (I'm not a big fan) with some chocolate, a non blown up balloon, a piece of cake and one small toy. If we go with the balloons, will they still expect a party bag too?

Am I just a meanie?
(the guest will have made a craft thing too which they'll take home)

and stickers (in party bag)

No not a meanie & yes at least 1 kid will ask where the party bag.

Agree party bags a pain & cost runs away on stuff that's in the bin/broken after 48 hours.

For DS 5th birthday there were no party bags but they all got a game of top trumps wrapped up (may have gone for the cheapest on Amazon!). Range is broad from dinosaurs to High School Musical to Spongebob for younger kids. Went down well.

Remember also going to a party for 3yr olds where there were no party bags again. Each child got a little book.

I am going to be a real party pooper here but do you realise that the earth has only 45 years supply left of helium. It cannot be manufactured as it is a by product of the mining industry and once it has gone is has gone.

To conserve supplies the cost of a helium balloon should be around about £65. We use helium where I work (engineering) and we are very, very concerned about the depleting stocks and the amount the helium balloon industry uses for a novelty toy.

Sorry

suncottage am now scrapping the helium balloon idea

munstersmum will have a look at top trumps although I think they're a bit young at 4..?

I feel like I have really rained on your parade sorry matey, but I always feel like going into florists and card shops and telling them to stop selling them!

no no people need to be aware. I'm sure DH will have a rant but I can handle him

At 4 my DS was playing the Ice Age set and they seem to love the branded ones eg spongebob, hello kitty, HSM etc....that's a whole other thread. If you were mean education focussed mum, they are really great for helping learn numbers.

I think your original idea works well, the craft thing they have made plus minimal party bag - in my view that's generous. Foil helium balloons cost a bomb!
and I also was unaware of the depleting helium stocks....unfortunately I have already bought a canister of it for DS party in a couple of weeks so this will be the last one I buy:(

my 4 year old plays top trumps...think I may pinch this idea as I don't want to do party bags.
I was going to give out a 'cake pop' either batman or hello kitty but can't decide what to go with it.

btw you can get some great non tacky and cheap items for your party bags....look at tesco's (am ~I allowed to say that?) kids stationary section which always has 3 for a quid on funky little pens, mini plasticine sets, mini paint palettes etc.