Alternatives to party bags

[MrsBates]

Ay good ideas for alternatives to giving a party bag - maybe a book or craft kit? Has anyone done this instead of the usual bag of old toot? I used to make really great bags when my children only had three guests but now there are more it would cost a fortune. Fed up with doing this kind of stuff just because everyone else does it but would like to give them something. OR get them to make their own thing - flower pots? Any more ideas...

Packs of books from the Book Peope (sale on atm, I think), and split between the kids.

Could you make a batch of fairy cakes and let them decorate their own to take home? DD1 is still too young for all this, so don't know if that's practical.

lucky dip
big bucket
newspaper shredded by hand - very theraputic
range of crappy toys from the pound shop
bob's yeruncle everyone happy

I've given Mr Men books at the end of a party - big hit and not too expensive, just added a couple of mini Milky Ways/Mars Bars etc. Also given flip flops after my DD1's last party (girls were age 7/8), bought from Next £3. You can add a balloon if you want it to seem more.

Like the idea of shredding the paper. Maybe I could add a few smashed up bits of crockery too for added therapy.

I'm going to get our guests to decorate thei own party bags. Our games are then going to be a treasure hunt, and a lucky dip, amongst others, so any treasure they find will go in their party bags, I'll then add a slice of birthday cake and a pencil and some sweets before they go home.

We did china mugs one year, with a sachet of hot choc, some marshmallows and a chocolate spoon - they went down well.

You can give them each a kid's comic, especially one with free toys on the front.

mrsbates, how old are the children?

My boy is going to be 3 and the others a bit on either side.

or get cotton tote bags and do paint-yer-own

For tiny ones I think one item, rather than lots of "bits" is even better - a sticker book perhaps, or a Matchbox car, or a tub of playdough for example.

what about those lucky bags you can buy - saves you having to bother and the kids would be more than happy i'm sure.

ooh I like the idea of playdoh! not gender specific either.

I gave dd's friends a gift card from Waterstones - the one with Charlie & Lola on it.

wow fimbo, how much for?

my ds (5.5 yo) came home with a flowering cosmos plant from Wyevale. He was absolutely thrilled with it, we planted it and it's still flowering now. The girls got pink ones, and the boys white. all seemed genuinely pleased.

a balloon weighted down with a hot wheels car goes down very well with the 3year old boys - tie the ribbon round the car and they're pleased as punch!

decorate your own item kits here

I do books - just buy from Book People or similar, have a range of age options, and go for it. It seems successful.

WOODENCHAIR - I put £5 on them (only had 5 of them though so wasn't too bad!). I figured I could easily spend a fiver each on plastic crap.