Party Bags at 3 year old party .. necessary?

[twiglett]

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I do remember 'going home presents' whe I was little, and to my horror, my DS was in 'party bag culture' even before his own 3nd b'day. I managed with a balloon, snack size choc from a multi-bag, a 'wiggly straw' which were loads in a very cheap packet, and 3 tiny plastic animals for each child from one of those tubes of mini-beasts that they sell in Woolies, Sainsburies, ELC etc.

Also, during the party, DP went around with a polaroid camera and took a pic of each guest wit DS, and we slipped it into their own bag. I felt that made it more 'meaningful' somehow, and the kids loved it.

Happy birthday to your ds Jimjams!

Certainly didn't have them for 1st or 2nd birthday. I don't think they are necessary, though they do seem to be hideously universal. I think a bit of cake to take home seems plenty. Teach the little blighters not to be so greedy

I don't like the idea of party bags at all. I compromised. For ds1's party (he was 5) the kids all spent the last 20 minutes of the party decorating a biscuit each which they then took home on a plate with a slice of birthday cake and a balloon. For ds2's party I shredded all the birthday wrapping paper and made a lucky dip in a big box. Each child had to delve in and find a balloon and a little present (each one was between £1 and £2)

Both compromises sort of made the whole thing into a game rather than an 'I'm going home now, where are my goodies?' scenario. I don't know whether the kids were disappointed but, to be honest, the whole party had been so much effort each time that I no longer cared!

Ds2 was 3 by the way.