Party Bags?!

[newbie202020]

I'm not sure whether party bags are still expected for a 4 year old birthday party.

Due a combination of lockdown in the UK and living in a different country before then my son hasn't been to any kids' birthday parties in the UK. It's his birthday soon and we've planned an entertainer in the park plus party food.

My husband thinks we should also prepare party bags (he would do all of the attached work on this) but I think that a piece of birthday cake is enough for children to take away.

I'm not inclined to spend any more money and the environmental/waste aspects concerns me too.

Keen to hear thoughts on this!

I do piece of cake, small bag sweets, couple of print outs of colouring or puzzles. That's it!

Thanks @Tidypidy. Are parents generally OK with sweets?! All that sugar, allergies, chocking hazards. Or maybe I'm over thinking it!

You can buy Pre filled party bags on ebay that have colouring book, colours, bubbles, puzzles for £2

Definitely do party bags; they’re a good way to end a party and get the kids to leave without a tantrum, it works every time for my DD at parties. I’d be surprised if there wasn’t party bags if I’m honest although I’d then shrug it off.
I do get the point about environmental waste but I’m sure you could think of a way round that - a £1 book or colouring book, crayons, piece of cake, and mini packet of sweets would be plenty.

My nephew has just done party bags with plain white paper bags and a few bits and pieces for £1.50 per bag all inclusive.

Other parties have done one bigger thing no bag - eg a tennis ball or a children’s book (I would guess from a multibundle so reasonable price) or nice kids bracelet etc

As a parent cake is fine. (If you are the first post lockdown party in your area others pare to will thank you as they can copy and one less thing to do).

If you do something one better thing than a bag of tat....one ball, one pot play dough, one packet of cress seeds and some cotton wool.....

Party bags are definitely very common. I understand the environmental concerns so in that case avoid the plastic pre filled ones which are filled with bubbles and plastic rubbish which ends up in the bin. Instead go for paper bag, and cake, sweets or chocolate and then a book or bath bomb - basically stick to edible or reusable gifts.

At that age, we ordered a load of books from book people and did piece of cake and a book. Same price, less environmental damage.

Thanks all!