Kid's Birthday Party Bag of cr*p

[Coley]

I'm with you on the bag of cr@p. Favors are common, but they don't have to be bags of cr@p.

We have always given a party favor of some sort. For DS's 11th birthday party last month, the favor was a Harry Potter-themed cup containing a Harry Potter bookmark and leftover Halloween candy. I went with things that could be consumed and/or actually used. In past years, depending on the party theme, DS has given favors such as a Stormtrooper action figure or a basic light saber (both parties with very small guest lists), Hot Wheels cars, or a craft they made during the party. I wish I could remember the favor from last year's baseball party.

[Moray]

When the parents came to get their children two asked about goodie bags

 

What?!  They actually asked for goodie bags?!  Yikes!

I read that more as they asked if there were goodie bags so they didn't accidentally leave them behind if the kid had set theirs down.

[doodlemor]

As a former teacher I have to bring up the possibility of giving something educational/creative.  I see that books have already been mentioned.

There is a new "thrift" store in our area called *Savers.*  The books in there are considerably cheaper than new, and those I saw were in pristine condition.  Other thrift shops carry books, too.  If one started looking a few months before a birthday I bet that a number of inexpensive books could be found that looked new.

A small "trinket" or toy could be given with the book, too, something that went with the theme.  For example, some toy glasses if the main character wore glasses, or a large home made gingerbread man for the gingerbread man book. 

Little children often seem to like things from nature.  Isn't there a store at many malls that sells natural things?  Perhaps they sell some inexpensive things that children would like - or would be a place to look for ideas.

Here is a really weird idea that just came to me - probably wouldn't be for everyone or every group.

Perhaps each child could decorate some sort of a hand puppet when he/she came into the party.  During the party the children would put on some sort of a puppet *show,* which would be taped.  The kids would act very silly, probably, but maybe would enjoy themselves.  The children would have their puppets to take home, and at some point a disk of the puppet show to watch.  [I have never make a disk - perhaps this would be very difficult.]

Yeah, the puppet idea would take a very special group who liked that sort of thing.

I do believe that thinking *outside the box* as far as these cr*p bags go might help.  [Remember that episode of Friends, with the weird names?] 

It does seem to me that in many instances people are trying to out do each other in a very silly way.

[mkkristen]

I hate goodie bags. When they were little I did bags of candy and one little toy--like a bouncy ball. Then I moved away from that. One year DS had a bakugan party and I happened to be at Target and they clearanced all their bakugan toys. So every kid got a bakugan. One year DD had a sleepover and I bought tote bags and fabric paint for the girls to do that night. That was their thank you. Sometimes we have their parties at locations that give out gifts--we did a Whole Foods party and each kid got an apron and some coupons. We did those McDonalds coupon books that you buy for $2 or whatever one year. This year for DS I bought movie theater size boxes of candy at the store and gave those to the kids. They loved them. If at all possible, I give some candy that is eaten and thrown away so they don't get more junky toys the parents hate having around.

[Giggity]

I'm 43 and never even heard of this until recently. It doesn't make sense to me. A birthday party is for giving a gift to the birthday person, not for getting one yourself ... unless all invited are hobbits, I guess. If I had kids, I wouldn't do it, on grounds that well, it's not everyone else's birthday.

[TootsNYC]

You hadn't heard of party favors? They're an old, old concept.

That's all a goodie bag is.

[magicdomino]

I seem to recall little bags containing annoying puzzles, either mini-pinballs or those sliding puzzles.  Personally, I preferred the noisemakers that spit out and go "Blaaaattttt."  It wasn't a proper birthday party if you didn't "Blaaaaaatttt" in the other kids' faces.     This would have been in the 1960's.

[Betelnut]

Well, kids like bags of crap so I don't really see it as the end of civilization or anything.  My daughter stays quiet on the way home while rooting around in the bag, so that makes for a pleasant ride home.  By the next day, most of the stuff has been eaten, broken, used or tossed.  But we still have some stuff from a pirate themed party she went to last year and a little carry basket from a "spa"-themed party she attended.  That was actually pretty nice.

One year, I gave out nice balloons to the kids (that was popular).  This year we are having a pool party at the local high school swimming pool, so I have gotten "pool" and "beach" stuff.  We are inviting A LOT of kids (she's turning six so it is time for her one "big" party) so I went with cheap squirt guns, small inflatable beach balls, pencils with beach themes and, gosh, I can't remember everything.  (The box, from Oriental Trading Company, is stuck under my bed right now.)  I probably won't put in candy.  So maybe 4-5 things in each bag.

We've been to parties without the favors and that's okay too.  It is sort of fun to see what kind of things people decide to give.

[Coley]

I seem to recall little bags containing annoying puzzles, either mini-pinballs or those sliding puzzles.  Personally, I preferred the noisemakers that spit out and go "Blaaaattttt."  It wasn't a proper birthday party if you didn't "Blaaaaaatttt" in the other kids' faces.     This would have been in the 1960's.

Blaaaaatttt ... I liked those, too. 

[SciFiLeslie]

Thanks to everyone who replied.  I am almost 43 and do not recall receiving much of anything after attending a birthday party.

My son's party will be at a local gymnastics studio.   So we will not have time to do a craft.   I do like the idea of the certificate for a book store, but we are already paying a premium for the party.  Still,  I have over two weeks to come up with a little something.

[dietcokeofevil]

What about a plastic re-usable water bottle?  They're cheap, it fits the sports theme, and it's something useful.  You could fill it with candy or a granola bar, or just leave it empty.

[MsMarjorie]

For my daughters last birthday we gave out an oversized lollipop (you know the swirly coloured ones, they weren't huge about 10cms) with a little note attached to the stick saying "thank-you for coming to my party".  Easy to transport and pretty to look at, just nice and simple.

[CakeEater]

I'm doing a goodie bag with some sweets and possibly a themed cookie, depending on how much time I have that week.

The last party we attended had sweets, a little plastic dog and a bouncy ball. The baby loves the plastic dog - he just about needs it before he'll eat at the moment. And who doesn't love bouncy balls?

[Oh Joy]

For my daughters last birthday we gave out an oversized lollipop (you know the swirly coloured ones, they weren't huge about 10cms) with a little note attached to the stick saying "thank-you for coming to my party".  Easy to transport and pretty to look at, just nice and simple.

This appeals to me.  One simple thing, incorporating a thank-you to the guests for being a part of the day.  Nicely done!

[SciFiLeslie]

For my daughters last birthday we gave out an oversized lollipop (you know the swirly coloured ones, they weren't huge about 10cms) with a little note attached to the stick saying "thank-you for coming to my party".  Easy to transport and pretty to look at, just nice and simple.

I like this!  It is something practical and I can put a few simple treats in that will be consumed.  And I like the idea about a tag thanking attendees for being part of the celebration.