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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.

Original poster

Party bag alternatives

137 replies

Gobbledigook · 13/03/2005 13:02

Any ideas? Want to keep the cost down, don't like the usual crap you get in them and actually disagree with them in principle but don't want ds's friends to have a go at him about having no party bag! Don't mind if it's not a bag, just need ideas for something to take home along with the cake.

Anyone?

OP posts:
tamum · 13/03/2005 17:12

Yucky little insects ?

SoupDragon · 13/03/2005 17:15

I put one of Ikea's little wooden cars in (Lillabo or something but not on website).

SoupDragon · 13/03/2005 17:18

Snap on sequin bracelets

SoupDragon · 13/03/2005 17:19

Stretchy sea animals

SoupDragon · 13/03/2005 17:20

Smiley drinking straws?

JoolsToo · 13/03/2005 17:25

SD - why don't you start up your own cottage industry -

Let SoupDragon take the headache out of preparing your Party Bags with one swish of her tail!

There'd be plenty of takers on here I'll bet!

Original poster
Gobbledigook · 13/03/2005 17:33

Half the things you are suggesting are not in the Baker Ross book so I think I'll have a look on the website as it does look rather good! They do actually do a pot/seed combo to grow your own little sunflower and it works out at 48p each or something - I know Cod says it's crap but I think it's quite a nice alternative to go with the cake and the chocolate they find in the 'chocolate hunt'.

You lot are all stars - why am I crap at coming up with things? Mind you, it is the first kids party I've done. Already pinched MunchedTooManyMarsLady's ideas for food - hotdogs and ice cream cones!

What would I do without MN?

OP posts:
JoolsToo · 13/03/2005 17:35

get some work done?

Cod · 13/03/2005 17:36

Message withdrawn

sacha3taylor · 13/03/2005 17:38

We had gingerbread men with the childs name on at a party I went to, hard work but a really nice touch!!!!!!

AuntyQuated · 13/03/2005 17:39

don't take any notice of coddy..i think seeds are brill and my 2 would love to get soem...just the "can't be arsed parents" who won't like them

tamum · 13/03/2005 17:42

I'm not sure about all the Baker Ross links but the ones I put were all in the most recent catalogue that says "Fundraising 2005 Toys"

Original poster
Gobbledigook · 13/03/2005 17:50

There's LOADS of stuff on the BR website - now I can't decide to fill a bag with plastic crap (that personally I throw in the bin when kids are not looking ) or a 'grow your own sunflower' - I think most of the kids would like that. My boys would I think - as long as it really does grow a sunflower!!

OP posts:
JoolsToo · 13/03/2005 17:51

personally - I think the sunflower is too long term for kids - give em the crap!

SoupDragon · 13/03/2005 17:53

hehehe

I think the website has a few things that aren't in the catalogue - some of the ones I listed are in their "sale" section for example.

Original poster
Gobbledigook · 13/03/2005 17:55

Oh mother!

OP posts:
WideWebWitch · 13/03/2005 17:56

Could you just give them 2 fun size chocolates each from a big pack and a piece of cake? That's what I did for ds's 4th birthday and they all seemed happy with it. I HATE party bags and was trying not to do them but have done ever since I have to say.

SoupDragon · 13/03/2005 17:58

Had insect gliders in DSs bags this year

SoupDragon · 13/03/2005 17:59

nd jigsaws

onlyjoking9329 · 13/03/2005 18:05

some good ideas on here, if you do balloons, just check for latex allergies, its a nightmare for me if my lot get balloons and has resulted in anaphalactic reaction for me, not trying to worry you but worth considering

Original poster
Gobbledigook · 13/03/2005 18:09

Thanks for that - will probably avoid balloons just from a safety aspect as lots of friends have smaller children as well and I know they can be dangerous for littlies.

OP posts:
Cod · 13/03/2005 18:35

Message withdrawn

TwinSetAndPearls · 14/03/2005 07:58

I did art and craft bags for dd birthday kids were 2.4 to about 5. each bag cost about 75p.
WEnt to stationary box who had two for 59p on packs of glitter glues - 6 in a pack. Also bouth xome packs of five playdough for 99p split these up between bags. Added penncil crayons costing 29p plus their birthday cake and a balloon tied the bag which were from the party anyway.

These went down really well. So much so that hers of mothers went straight down to stationary box to stock up for party bags. Love the seeds idea, might use that at easter party!

SoupDragon · 14/03/2005 08:02

If you're giving balloons then blow them up. I used to find DSs trying to blow them up in the back of the car one the way home from a party.

Must say I'd never considered latex allergy. I would hope that a parent would tell me if this was going to be a problem. Another black mark for balloons then!

vess · 14/03/2005 09:59

Love some of the ideas here - growing your own sunflower or something else sounds great - maybe not for every party, but still. Also love the polaroid photos one...and the books..
When ds was 2, I did plastic grabbers (from the Natural History Museum) with animal heads on the end, mostly tigers and sharks - they loved them. Was only a small party, though.

What about a Kinder egg each?