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Parties/celebrations

Whether you're planning a birthday or a hen do, you'll find plenty of ideas for your celebration on our Party forum.

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Original poster

Would it be really awful not to give party bags?

13 replies

TooTiredtoGoogle · 11/04/2011 20:46

I was going to give each child a balloon instead.
I just really hate all that tat DD usually gets in party bags, and I think they;re a waste of money. Would rather spend money on decent food and plonk for the party itself.

The children attending will be between the ages of 3 and 4.

OP posts:

Carrotsandcelery · 11/04/2011 20:47

Balloon and slice of cake is totally acceptable - it is time we were all released from party bag hell!

cybbo · 11/04/2011 20:47

Do you mean a helium balloon? Or a flaccid rubber one?

greencaveman · 11/04/2011 20:49

You need to get party bags and then just put the cake in the bag. That way, it is a perfectly fine party bag. The whole point of a party bag is to get the guests to leave!! My DS is usually unwilling to leave parties as he has been having such a good time, but the party bag is the bribe to get him out.

Original poster

TooTiredtoGoogle · 11/04/2011 20:51

Helium balloon - not a fancy silver one, but a proper balloon which will float away if you let go of it.
Carrots - I remember when I was a child being very happy with taking just a slice of cake home. Though I think now, the children will want to eat the cake then and there.

OP posts:

Original poster

TooTiredtoGoogle · 11/04/2011 20:52

Yes, I was hoping that the balloon would be enough of a bribe

OP posts:

Needanewname · 11/04/2011 20:53

Balloo and cake, honestly you will feel so much better for it! And probably so will the other mums, I know I would

follyfoot · 11/04/2011 20:54

I used to do cake, a balloon and a dip into a big bag of fun size choc bars.

Wrap the cake up in a napkin, then they cant get their paws on it.

Original poster

TooTiredtoGoogle · 11/04/2011 20:55

So all those who do cake - do your guests all eat the cake at the party and then just put spare slices into party bag for children to rake home?

OP posts:

Carrotsandcelery · 11/04/2011 20:59

We don't tend to eat cake at the party as there are other goodies available then. If you want to eat cake at the party then a helium balloon would be fine. The other option is a "normal" balloon on a stick or those thick rubber balloons on a rubber band that you can punch about. The latter would be the one I would choose.

defineme · 11/04/2011 21:00

My dc have just been to a party where they were thrilled to receive an easter egg as their 'party bag'.
We also went to one that was a sports party and they got a £ shop skipping rope or football and a slice of cake-thrilled again.
However, we also spent much of yesterday playing cards with the party bag set we got and dd still has the hello kitty pencil tin/sharpner she got months ago-so not all crap!
Do what you like and 3 yrolds may not have expectations of what happens at the end of a party anyway.

Carrotsandcelery · 11/04/2011 21:00

Tesco were also selling balloons with lights in them - one of them would be enough to get them out the door thank your guests for coming.

Needanewname · 11/04/2011 21:00

Don;t tend to eat cake at the party. If you want to bulk up the bag, get them to put some of their prizes they win in the games in their bag too.

RhinestoneCowgirl · 11/04/2011 21:03

We have been to parties where no party bags, just piece of cake in a napkin, plus a lucky dip of a sweetie bag (I have a 4yr old). Oh, and one party gave out glow sticks which were very popular. DS really isn't bothered whether he gets a bag or not, but likes it when he does IYSWIM.

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