Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

We are having a huge 1st birthday party for dd next month- petting zoo, pony rides, bouncer, catering everything, ect. There are about 15 kids of all ages coming. Do you think it is bad if I don't do goody bags for them? I just don't know what to get since they range from 1 yr to 10 yers old and I am already going to be poor after this party...lol. Please give me your honest opinions.

Re: Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

My 3yo loves receiving favors. I know he would be disappointed if he did not receive a favor.

I would at least do something small or have an activity that couples to be an item the kids could take home.

Re: Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

We are also having a big 1st birthday with kids of all different ages. Im not doing goodie bags but I am doing cookie favors instead. I like edible favors and really, who doesnt like a cookie? They go with our theme and are very reasonable.

ETA: you could also make chocolate lollipops yourself, that could cut costs also

Message edited 8/20/2012 12:02:32 PM.

Re: Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

After a few parties, I have decided that edible favors are the way to go with anything - they don't cost a fortune, you don't have to worry about age and they don't have to be personalized to each kid, boy/girl etc etc ........

I spent a small fortune for Colin's 1st birthday and most of the kids didn't even bring their favor home

I did choc covered pretzel rods for Sean's christening and they were a HUGE hit with everyone (I just didn't have the time to do all of that work when the second one came )

Message edited 8/20/2012 12:04:14 PM.

Re: Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

i would also suggest doing something edible like a cookie in the theme of the party

Re: Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

Our party was small but I made my own chocolate lollipops. They were super easy to make, not too expensive and this way everyone could take a little something home.

Re: Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

I did small personalized boxes and then did a pinata and that's what they filled the boxes with.

yeah, favors are a should-do

Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

I personally wouldn't do favors. But I am not doign any big parties for my DS.

I did not do favors for the Baptism. IMO after spending all the $$$ on the extras you are haing for the party that should be enough.

Re: Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

I hate goody bags so I'd be fine with a party that didnt have them! I love the idea of the cookies or cake pops or whatever-- but if thats too much, then dont worry about it- it will be fine without it!

Re: Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

I'm a fan of water bottles. You can get sippys, straw cups, and sports bottles to match ages and fill with candy.

Re: Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

After having a bad experience trying to provide favors for kids of a wide age range, I recommend doing a cookie, cup cake, candy, etc type of thing. I do think you kinda need *something* to send them home with but I wouldn't go nuts trying to do actual gifts for all the kids.

Re: Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

Re: Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

You can do something very small-- even some crayons and small coloring books works for a lot of different ages. Or a small plastic container with their names on it can work for any age.

As a mother of a child with a food allergy, I hate edible favors-- because unless I know all the packaging info and ingredients, where it was made, she can't have. And, I have to explain that she cannot eat when all the other kids are ripping it open.

Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

So I am new to this parenting thing but I do recall being a kid and I dont ever remember coming home from a bday party with a goody bag. Isnt the idea of a birthday that the birthday boy or girl gets all of the gifts? Why do kids have to walk away from a party with their own gift? I know people do it all of the time now, and its nice gesture I guess but I dont think anyone should expect it.. I think you are fine without it.

Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

Skip them. Don't go broke over goody bags!

Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

I have an almost 3 year old & honestly I wouldn't miss them if you didn't do it.

Re: Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

I have kids of various ages and I do not care if m kids get a favor or not.

I wil say that at DD's party last weekend almost every kid came up to me asking me for their goody bag so the expectation is definitely there (these were kids ages 4-8).

I always tell DD that gifts including favors are a nice surprise if you get them but you shouldn't always count on them and I would certainly correct her if she walked around asking for a goody bag a a party, but she is 5 and it seems like typical behavior for them to ask for their goody bag. For that reason, I would be really excited if someone did not give a favor as it would be a chance for my kid to learn that we should be thankful for the party and not expect a favor.

Re: Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

For Liam's we got a thing of pretezel rods, dipped them in chococalte and sprinkles and put them in pretzel bags with ribbon. Very cheap. I would think you should do something but, this would appeal to most ages.

Re: Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

I think it's expected to get a favor.

Re: Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

Don't bother with favor bags.

They are usually filled with junky things that I throw out immediately. It's worse when they are "keepsakes" and you feel bad to throw them out (ie wedding).

IMO, my DS should NOT expect to get things everywhere he goes.

Let the kids enjoy the party... it sounds like you are going all out to have a kids party.

Although I DO like edible favors... as a mom of a 2 year old who I don't feed cookies (I try to replace with fruit & proteins), I would say skip that too.

Re: Not doing goody bags for birthday party?

cranky...

I'll invite you next time we have a party!

We've had parties... no questions about favors yet... and most of the relatives are 3-5 years old.