Is this ok for party bags?

[LemonTyger]

I’m on a tighter than usual budget this year for DDs 11th birthday party. Is it acceptable to send them home with a big bag of haribo instead of a traditional party bag? (Plus cake of course!). I’m thinking this is probably cheaper!
If not - any suggestions of cheap party bags for 11 year olds?

I stopped party bags, just a small gift like strawberry laces or bar of chocolate

You could always get some of those cellophane cones and mix the sweets up a bit.

I’ve done that before. Kids prefer it to random tat ime.

At 11, I'd just not do them rather than give them a huge bag of sweets. But I'd look into those chocolate with their names on, or make up friendship bracelets kits.

what would your DD like? By 11 most parties just had a small gift rather than traditional 'party bag' & many just didn't do anything. (Except one mum who threw the most amazing all day/evening for them at their amazing house & the 'going home' gifts were all with their names on. Each girl got a hand towel. A t shirt. A drink bottle. A glass jar/mug filled with sweets & glass straw. Lip gloss, wee toiletry bag with shampoo/conditioner/body wash & other bits I can't remember.). All of us were a bit nervous of inviting her daughter after that, but her & her mum were so lovely they just seemed to accept us as we were.

Yes, I think that is perfect. Especially for an older DC. DS has recieved the same after a party before and couldn't believe his luck recieving a big bag of sweets!

That’s what I did at that age, too old for a party bag.

Yes. 11 is too old for party bags.

I once bought some cupcakes, put them on a table and let them decorate their own. That's what they went home with, party bag, activity and cake all in one!

My children would have been very happy with that at that age OP and I think most would be. They’re past the party bag stage and it’s easier for you.

I don’t think anyone would expect a party bag at all at 11 so a bag of sweets would be a fun surprise.

Ditch the gift bags! We did T-shirts for DDs 11th birthday, not special printed ones, but all the same. They went down really well and cost about the same as the usual bags we used to do.

I’m surprised at the comments saying 11 is too old for party bags / wouldn’t expect them. Every single party she’s been to this year has had them. With lip balms, hair accessories, jewellery, stationary, bouncy balls, fidget toys, little pots of slime, slap bracelets, sweets etc. Obviously not all in one party bag. 🤣 I definitely think they’d be disappointed going home with nothing!!

I’m relieved the general consensus is the bags of haribo will be fine!! Thank you everyone!

Ugh I HATE cake given for kids to take home. Why can’t they just eat it at the venue?? It just gets squished or end up in the car seats.
As for party bags - get a helium tank and give each kid a balloon.

Just realised 11 years old. Yea give some sweets it’s fine.

I think it’s a good shout although I’d suggest a bag of Nerds Gummy Clusters instead as I know they’re really popular with kids that age that I know!

Good idea, although I would do a bag of chocolate (the grab bags of Buttons or Twirls etc) Instead of sweets If you knew they could all eat chocolates.

You are a genius @HotChocolateBubbleBath

I'd rather nothing than a big bag of sweets TBH! A nice thought but I don't think you need to do anything

I would say maybe a book or something instead of a big bag of sweets - i would be p*ssed off if a parents gave that to my DC. You can get 10 or £10 on (decent) books in The Works.

I think they are a bit old for the works picture books.

i would give them all at that age: a lip balm, a face mask, a snazzy nail file, a fun pen, hand cream, a bag of chocolate over Haribo as the food colours are awful, (primark would be good for these)

https://www.primark.com/en-gb/c/beauty/bath-and-body/shower-and-bath/bath-bombs

https://www.primark.com/en-gb/p/ps-watermelon-lip-scrub-hot-pink-991128037320 or one of these wach

A key ring from Etsy is my go to. There are 3D printed ones which can be personalised and themed to the party. Very inexpensive.