Goody Bags for 12 yo ds??

[SA53]

Hello all,

I was just wondering if 12 yo boys still get goody bags. We are have 5 friends go to Laser Quest with pizza and cake. I was wondering if I should make up a bag of candy for each of them as I don't think they like trinkets anymore. Anyone already reached this bridge???

TIA,

K in SA

 

[pooh101]

My son turns 10 this month. We're having 5 of his friends over for a party,so we just had this discussion. When I asked what kind of things we should put in the "goody bags", he just kinda laughed and said they're too old for goody bags.
I think I may just fill up some bags with candy though. Nobody's too old for candy and I can't let them leave empty handed.

 

[BibidiWannabe]

My son turned 13 this year so no real party but last year he had a few friends for a party when he turned 12. I do remember that they still loved the candy and little trinkets. I did not provide any of that because it came with the package deal for his birthday party at a huge indoor water park.

So I was surprised to see that they still liked the trinkets and of course candy. I had to drive all 5 boys home so that helped with providing some form of entertainment.

If you don't want to give out the junky trinkets, I would give out candy.

 

[dizkids]

I am sure they would still love the candy. BUt my ds11 has been to parties and my dd10 recently and they both recieved GiftCards in lieu of a goody bag for $5 to Blockbuster, Claire's Accessories, etc. I know it adds to the cost but by the time i add up all the stuff i put in goody bags i probably would save on this idea. Even $3 to cold stone was one of the gift cards.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

DS is 12 and we'd given up the goodie bag thing. (Actually, he's opted not to have parties at this point, just a night out with a friend...) He did go to a party the other day and he got a little bag of Halloween candies. I think that's a reasonable compromise. Doesn't have to be anything major.

 

[tinkarooni]

I'm very interested in what people say here. I have two nephews 14 and 12 and still give them goody bags. It's my DSIL she still gives them out at their birthdays so I feel obligated to. My kids are 10 and 8. Halloween is the next problem, she always gives my kids a goody bag and I am dragging my feet this year about this. Curious to see what people of 12 and 14 y/o say in response to this. I was kinda thinking the 14 y/o boy might think it was dumb anyway.

 

[cgcw]

My DS14 went to a sports party for his friend last week. As they were leaving, the birthday kid tossed each of the other kids a pack of gum. Age appropriate - except for the kids who had to pass it up because of braces. It was a little something and perfect for kids that age.

As for goodie bags, I'm sure my DS14 would be horrified to receive one. Especially if the items were put into a cute little goodie bag.

I like the idea of the gift treat cards for various places. I agree that I spent way more than $3/$5 on trinkets for goodie bags. We'll have to see if my younger DS is agreeable to that idea.

 

[java]

Gift cards are big around here too. $5 to gamestop or hollywood video or target or walmart.

I always try to do one thing-
although for dd (11) she wanted goodie bags this year and she put hand sanitizer from B&BW in everyone's bag! LOL spreading her ocd to her friends.

 

[mjkacmom]

I can't remembe the last time ds10 received a goody bag - they get favors, such as a wiffle ball set, kickball, gift card, etc. - no bag! Dd12 hasn't done anything in 2 years - her parties usually consist of bringing 5 friends somewhere - out to eat, the pool club, etc. Let's stop the madness!

 

[luvmy3]

Gift cards are big around here too. $5 to gamestop or hollywood video or target or walmart.

I always try to do one thing-
although for dd (11) she wanted goodie bags this year and she put hand sanitizer from B&BW in everyone's bag! LOL spreading her ocd to her friends.

I really like this idea and I think i'll do this for my kid's parties. By the time you fill up a goody bag with candy and junk, you spend $5 anyway.
I have to be honest, 90% of the time everything in the goody bag gets thrown out. I feel bad but my kids don't eat alot of candy and the "toys" are usually junk.

OP for your age group I think a GC to gamestop would be good, and maybe throw in some candy too.

 

[ldo]

either in plain sight, and they just grab a gift on the way out--from $5 gift cards to gum packs, etc., or you could have it in a box and they have to reach in and pick something unseen--that depends on whether DS thinks that is cool or stupid.
At my DS11 friend's party, they did a bean bag toss--they had "prizes"--fingernail polish, lip gloss, gum, webkinz cards, etc. on the floor and girls tossed rings or bean bags and got the prize that they landed on--you could do the same for boys with gum, gift cards, etc. for home parties.

 

[SA53]

Wow!! Thank you all for the great responses. I dig the gift card idea but my hubby might flip since he already thinks Laser Quest is pricey. I may try to sneak it in under the radar though . After 11 years, I think it is a habit to make sure they all have something to take with them out the door. I will check with my ds to see what he thinks.

Thank you again,

K in SA

 

[dizkids]

Yes the gift cards i like too but you can save the money and go for the gum. Toss them a full package with multiple packs of gum inside...runs about $1.69...so this way they are probably excited to have their own package...hubba bubba sugarless..or whatever you desire. Dont think anyone can say a kid would be horrified to recieve that and its still on the cool side.

 

[StillPinballFamily]

Wow! Some of you guys are WAY more generous than I am with goody bags!

We do them, but my cost threshold is $1.50 per kid MAX. I usually do candy and the small bags of cookies or Smartfood, etc. And (of course!) get them on sale before the party. (The only non-consumable we ever use in goody bags is the 10-pk of Crayola markers that I stock up on at Target during the back-to-school sales - they are usually .88 cents.) I agree - most of the crap in the goody bags we get gets tossed right in the trash - sorry! - and I know the host spends $ on the stuff, but we don't need it.

My idea for your "big" kids is to do the HUGE candy bars - the Hershey, etc. ones that are about 8" long. They usually go on sale somewhere each week for about $1 each (Walgreens/CVS/RiteAid, etc.) - you could just get a bunch and let each kid grab one on the way out the door from the laser place...they'll probably just wolf them right down.

 

[Kae]

The last B-day party DS10 went to was Laser Tag there was no goody bag, it was fine with everyone.

Kae

 

[SA53]

Again, thank you to all the posters. I gave my ds 12 some of your options and he was very excited about the huge candy bars. So easy for me. Yeah!!!

 

[eyor44]

We did Laser Tag this year for DS13. There were arcade tokens included in the package for everyone. None of the boys even looked for a goody bag. last year I did up bags with a yoyo and some candy in each. Tootsie rolls and kisses work great. A friend's mother put pencils, a ruler and fabric book cover in them.
I do know that when older siblings come to DD's parties as tag alongs, they always very willing accept the offered goody bag. Most all kids like the candy and just hand over the trinkets to their sis or brother.