I have a very strong aversion to kid’s party bags; I don’t know where the fear comes from or where the tradition originated. Can we blame the yanks again? I’m doing my best to keep my daughters birthdays under control, as an ex-teacher I know how it can all get carried away. I’ve heard stories of kids having to pay to attend parties.
My daughter’s birthday will be one of the first in her year, being mid September, and I’m determined to set the bar low, hoping that other parents will appreciate the gesture. I have friends with normally very well-behaved kids and they have thrown themselves on the floor in a strop when not given a party bag and they died of embarrassment.
However, today when buying party supplies I found myself wavering near the matching party bags and tempted to follow the status quo, but I put my foot down.
So, what’s the alternative? As usual I asked on twitter and got loads of amazing suggestions. Sorry if I haven’t credited everyone but copying and pasting them all was enough for me. I hope this helps you in some way!
- Mosquito nets (charity)
- Craft sets from Poundland
- Biscuits with names on instructions
- Helium balloon filled with sweets
- Vouchers for Smiths or ELC
- Measure out Flapjack mix with instructions
- Lucky bags! Or a balloon with sweets in, they love popping them for the sweets!
- Bucket and spade sets – £1 each online
- ‘grow your own beanstalk’ kit. Small pot, compost, ‘magic’ beans and instructions all in a plastic bag.
- A book and stuck a small bar of chocolate on to it. Try The Book People for cheap good books. You can separate the book sets and could stick to a theme if you have one.
- Personalized gift wrapped cup cake that cost a quid!
- Colouring book. Mini craft packs. Little pots and Seeds. Buns.
- Well anything but bloody bubbles!
- Children’s magazine or comic
- Packet of seeds to grow
- Card saying you donated to charity on their behalf…. Then go and get yourself a nice bottle of wine (this is my favourite!)
- We had lots of gingerbread men & icing pens/decorations & kids got creative & took those home
- We baked & decorated cupcakes for friends, handed out in boxes
- We used to make a donation to a kids’ charity instead then thank kids and parents, rather spend money on that than more tat.
- Sunflower seedlings
- Usually do one Lego minifig or mini book instead (£1.50)
- A little cup cake with child’s initial on it.
- Helium balloons
- We did a pool party and they each got a cheap rubber ring.
Do you have any other suggestions?