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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

that " book in a party bag " idea some CLOT had once

231 replies

Frivol · 12/05/2009 19:02

well it goes down very badly here.
My kids like books.

they like parties

they like party bags

they dont like them mixing.

a party bag BEST case scenario is sweets, with a football keyring( who has keys aged 6?!) if you haev to.

OP posts:
LadyThompson · 14/05/2009 08:36

I read a lot as a child - anything and everything - some fantastic things and some rubbish. For some children, particularly those who aren't encouraged to read at home, some of the books Fillyjonk mentioned will have some merit. And reading helps a child to spell better than anything else (even learning words by rote as most kids seem to) - which is probably why I can spell 'sanctimonious'.

I loved the DIY themed bags that someone mentioned further up the thread. I should think most kids would be thrilled with that.

Fillyjonk · 14/05/2009 08:44

oh i read a lot as a child too, lots of people do. I read a lot now. Lots of people do. Just one of those things.

hasn't helped me spell santemousneouslyness. So don't think your argument holds much water.

I expect this is because I never got a book in a party bag

LadyThompson · 14/05/2009 08:54

It's something that studies have proved time and time again, Fillyjonk. It's not something I am plucking out of thin air. And don't ask me to quote them as I did a study on this many moons ago!

I just think that calling someone a 'book snob' because they think a book in a party bag is a nice idea is a little...peculiar. As is then going on to say that if kids aren't reading Proust, it's a waste of time anyway. Contradictory, no?

letswiggle · 14/05/2009 09:02

For sure reading a lot is the way to learn to spell, and to write elegantly too. It's also a very good way to improve knowledge of foreign languages.

thefortbuilder · 14/05/2009 09:44

we are preparing for ds1's cowboys and indians party in july.

i love party bags and strangely really like deciding what to put in them.

am going to attempt to theme them this year, although obligatory bubbles and stickers will be in there! we always have loads of helium balloons at the party too so try and give each partygoes a load of them to take home - lots of kids scoot to parties around here as everyone is local so we normally tie balloons on the scooter handles when they leave.

have just realised how wanky that sounds but i won't be putting books in though

justaboutspringtime · 14/05/2009 10:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

thell · 14/05/2009 10:18

What do you use to decorate the plates? Sounds fab, but I'd be worried about the pen / crayon getting in the food...?

womblingfree · 14/05/2009 10:43

I was hoping to get away with half a dozen little girls doing crafts they could take home for DD's party this year, but she has decided she fancies a rock star disco with everyone coming in fancy dress as their fave pop star (she'll be 5!!).

Am going going to make CD's of the party music, with a disco ball necklace for the girls and star shaped sunglasses for the boys plus the usual edible bits and cake, poss a few stickers and a 'scream' balloon thrown in.

RE the OP though, my DD would be over the moon to get a book or seeds in a party bag (can't say I would be so thrilled about the seeds though - not into greenery!)

Stayingsunnygirl · 14/05/2009 10:46

A friend of mine did a couple of nice versions of the party bag for her dds' parties. She bought either cheap mugs or glasses that were decorated with something suitable (cats or dinosaurs, or Harry Potter etc), then put a few sweets in each one. I thought it was a great idea, as the kids loved the mug/glass and it was a gift that really got used.

trishyfish · 14/05/2009 10:55

talking of party bags/partys, i've got a 10th birthday coming up and need ideas that are fun, special but above all don't cost the earth, for the party as well as bags. Anyone got any ideas? We thought of a beach party but that depends on good weather.

isittooearlyforgin · 14/05/2009 11:07

I give books as party bag fillers (from the book people - really good classics for £10 for 10). I feel a bit taken aback by the intensity of emotions held for books - think its a bit sad as a child has just been to a party at someone else's house, had food and drink and a present to take home and are still complaining!

isittooearlyforgin · 14/05/2009 11:07

I give books as party bag fillers (from the book people - really good classics for £10 for 10). I feel a bit taken aback by the intensity of emotions held for books - think its a bit sad as a child has just been to a party at someone else's house, had food and drink and a present to take home and are still complaining!

TsarChasm · 14/05/2009 11:08

I did mugs once - they went down a storm

I think a lot of store is set by a good party bag.

Mine like keyrings. They attach them to bags and belts and zips on coats. Also annoying little bouncy balls that ping off in all directions round the carpark as you try and shove them in the car afterwards. And as for whistles..

I don't believe in loathing 'plastic tat'. Loathe it all you like and hanker for organic vegetation and a thesaurus to take home..it's not for us. Most children love plasticy cheap toys and sweeties.

I don't want to celebrate my birthday in a soft play area but when you're under 12 it's another matter.

TsarChasm · 14/05/2009 11:15

Oh yes to tattoos too! Tattoos are V popular here.

trishyfish · 14/05/2009 11:33

mugs may be agood one- if we do a beach party thing we could use tem for collecting shells . 10 year old girls are hard to get right, whatever I suggest, I get that "oh my god, why have I got such an embarrasing uncool mother?" scathing look, shes so good at scathing. already. What will the future hold?

trishyfish · 14/05/2009 11:39

actually, just to add, I do agree with isittooearlyforgin. Kids expect the earth, I've heard of the most rediculously extravagant party bags being handed out, then of course the kids feel they have to do just as well at their party, its ok when they're younger, but pre teenagers seem to have a bad case of keeping up with the joneses.

YohoAhoy · 14/05/2009 11:52

Ha!! I can out-poncy-wanky-smuggery anyone on this thread!!

In my early days on MN a few years ago, I excitedly shared my fab party bag idea.

There's a company called Junior-Geo which supplies crystals/fossils etc, and they do party bags - a crystal or fossil in a small velvet drawstring bag.

I had just done them for ds's birthday, and they went down a storm - well, apart from one little girl who got a somewhat uninteresting crystal (I hadn't checked them all) and exclaimed in a disgusted tone, "A rock???"

A little while later a "party bags are the work of the devil" thread came up, and as I was browsing I noticed a couple of people roundly criticizing the smug foolhardiness of the poster who'd basically put stones in their party bags.

I was a little mortified, but at the same time strangely defiant

I love doing party bags, and am a little sad that ds is really getting too old for them.

BionicEar · 14/05/2009 11:57

We went to a party where instead of a party bag, the gift was a helium balloon attached to a book. Was very cool idea - very simple - might steal it! for LO next B'day. Went down a treat with all the kiddies and their parents.

newgirl · 14/05/2009 12:01

the thing is some kids dont like plastic bits either - im basing it on mine getting the bags home, eating the sweets and not giving the plastic bits one second of thought - i think save yourselves a few quid and don't bother with it. piece of cake or something like a cup or a book is a great idea

TheProvincialLady · 14/05/2009 12:09

Look, it's NOT the adults' reaction you need to look out for. Of course they are going to say "What a fantastic idea, I might use that for little Henrietta's next do." They are not gouing to say "What a poncy/boring/do-gooding/trying-too-hard/waste of plastic/whatever idea".

It is the children you need to keep your eye on.

Supercherry · 14/05/2009 12:29

Well in my first ever party bag at DS's 1st, I went rather traditional, and did bubbles, those crazy bouncy balls, a toy car, one of those irritating party horns and a scrummy piece of homemade birthday cake. I used nice gift bags though rather than the plastic ones.

At the last party I went to we were given a plastic drinking cup, quite cute, but certainly less hassle and far cheaper than a proper party bag. I was quite disappointed that we didn't get any birthday cake though. I love birthday cake, but they just didn't offer anyone any. And yes, I would've eaten it all myself.

trishyfish · 14/05/2009 12:45

everyone should have cake, a birthday's not right without a wicked cake. my mum used to make the most fantastic birthday cakes for us- does anyone remember hedgehog cakes? still around but not the same. I think people are just being kind when they praise my efforts( which always end up being a big lump of sponge with more icing than cake with some haphazard silver balls. of course to my adoring daughters eyes it looks just like the gorgeous fairy castle creation in the 101 easy(!)party cakes book. i hope.)

ninedragons · 14/05/2009 12:50

I want a gun that shoots party poppers. I will shoot it off my balcony when Mr & Mrs Noisy Shagfest next door are at it again.

thefortbuilder · 14/05/2009 13:03

i have just been on the junior geo site and their panning for gold kit is just what i need for ds's wild west themed birthday party!

Geocentric · 14/05/2009 13:12

I know this is a really stupid question, but am not in the UK so please bear with me.

WHY would you send cake home in a party bag? Don't the children eat the cake at the party?