OT: birthday party question

[Leader of the Club]

I know that this is not on the Disney topic, but it is still a budget question....

My son is having his birthday party at one of those indoor funparks with rides and games and food and such. The kids get pizza, unlimited drinks, 30 game tokens, unlimited rides, cake. The party is from 2:00-5:30.

The question: would you still do a goodie bag for the attendees and what would you put in that bag--cheap?

I figured that the kids would turn in there tickets from the games for the little junky stuff that they give away.. whadda think?

 

[Franne]

I would still do a goodie bag and fill it with candy or little toys. The kids look forward to it at the end of the party and it's something they can take away with them to remember the party. Getting the toy from the tickets isn't the same. That's just my opinion!

 

[ckoncurat]

Unfortunately, kids EXPECT goody bags now. Go to the dollar store for bags, and just put in candy and stickers. Don't feel obligated to make it a big deal. You can stuff the goodie bags inside the cups they give them for tokens.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Leader of the Club, thanks for this thread.

What would you consider the "cut-off" age for Goody bags? Next weekend we are having DS3 party, there will be kids from 1yo to 14 yo. 16 kids total and I hate doing goody bags.

 

[ckoncurat]

If you are just having an adult family party with kids along, no goody bags required. If you are inviting certain kids but their siblings are tagging along, no goody bags REQUIRED for the siblings, but its nice. Any CHILD that is specifically invited to your party should get a goody bag, regardless of age. JMHO.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

If you are just having an adult family party with kids along, no goody bags required. If you are inviting certain kids but their siblings are tagging along, no goody bags REQUIRED for the siblings, but its nice. Any CHILD that is specifically invited to your party should get a goody bag, regardless of age. JMHO.

Its an adult family party at a restaurant (mom and pop Italian restaurant), we will have it private for three hours. You didn't mention that scenario If it were at my house (which we do for DD in the summer) I don't do goody bags, but because of the setting, I' m kinda confused....I guess I just better make them.... Right?

 

[christinadei]

For the OP, yes, I would do goody bags. And I agree, go to the dollar tree, they ahve all kinds of goodies. YOu can get 30 goody bags for $1.00, and then candy and a few little toys or stickers to go in them.

As for the restaurant bday, if it's just family at the rest. no, I wouldn't bother. But if you are inviting other kids along, then yes.

 

[disneymom3]

For the OP--as much as I hate goody bags--both my kids getting them and making them up. (Who needs all that junky little stuff around??) My kids love them adn I would do them for that kind of party too.

And sadly, my SIL started doing goody bags for family parties a couple of years ago so now we are stuck with them for that too. For a cut off age I would say 12 and over. Unless there is only one that age and then I would go with something different--like little hair clips and nail polish for an older girl from the dollar store.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Since this is a budget board, I will share my Goodie bag, Pina' (can't spell)Party secret.

My dd's birthday is next month. I bought all the Easter Candy that I could find (wrapped) for 90% off. Target is having the sale now. Walgreens too.

Last year, CVS had there 90% sale off there summer items. I spent 5.00 & got paper airplanes Kites, & goggles. I wrapped them up, & stored them in the attic. They will go in the goodie bags as well.

I will go to the dollar store, & buy brown paper bags. The candy will be divided into the bags, & Pina'.

I will then wrap the bags with white ribbon, curl the ribbons & put each child's name on it in black marker. I really have mastered the bags to look quite nice. My dd loves to help with it all. Doesn't take much time, & it saves lot's of money.

Hope this helps anyone that wants to keep the cost down.

 

[EthansMom]

The birthday party thing in our area in Connecticut is really over-the-top. Luckily, my kids are young enough that I still get away with family only parties. But my SIL has one child in the local grade school so I get to hear all of the stories -- here everyone invites the ENTIRE CLASS to a party and the party is usually held at a party place or movie theater or bowling alley and is expected to include a meal, cake, the entertainment, and good gift bag. Not only do you have to pay for and organize the entire thing, but you also have to deal with your child getting like 20 new toys all at once!

I can remember when the number of kids I could invite to my party depended upon what we did -- if I had a party at home, I could invite 10 kids and if I wanted to go to the skating rink, I could invite 4. Also, the person giving the party was the only one who got gifts.

I will probably end up giving modest gift bags for parties, but will definitely try to limit the invitation list to good friends of my child instead of the entire class.

For parties in the past, I've used http://www.orientaltrading.com. Their selection is good and pricing isn't bad. You might be able to get a better deal at a good dollar store, though.

 

[soccermom5]

OP, i had my childrens party at the same type of place, fun time america ,
they gave each kid a pastic cup with lid (would not have known this if i didnt go to a party there they never said anything when booking) and i just threw a couple peices of cady in it the kids were happy another party i went to the dollar srore and purchased one item for each kid it was actually cheaper that some of the candy bags i have made up

 

[Leader of the Club]

Thanks for all the hints and tips. I wasn't sure what the "in" thing is.

I think I'll stick with candy and a dollar store "prize" for each of the 5 kids attending. And maybe a bottle of bubbles--I love bubbles!

 

[ckoncurat]

I don't think family parties should ever require goody bags-JMHO. For kids parties, I usually invite about as many as my kids age (about 8 for a 8 year old, etc.) Two of my daughters share a birthday, however, so our guest count is usually doubled. This year my 3 year old is getting a "backyard bash" (we have a new swingset and trampoline.) Three friends plus siblings, ice cream cone cupcakes, maybe a pinata, and instead of goody bags I was thinking an outdoor toy from Dollar tree like a pail and shovel or sidwalk chalk. Thats all.

 

[ckoncurat]

One more source of cheap crafts and goody bag items is www.orientaltradingcompany.com. Usually craft kits or favors for 12 kids are $3-5 a set. You do have to pay shipping, however.

 

[patsal]

For small children I like the animal shaped cups at Walmart. Solid color shaped like an animal--the Elephant one for example uses the trunk to sip from--anyway put a few pieces of candy in there maybe some stickers ro tattoos and your all set.
Older kids--full sized candy bar or King sized.

Parties here have gone over the top as well--my kids have come home with everything from full sized Lias Frank gift sets to beach bags with towels or the traditional bag with candy. I gave my daughter a budget for her party in June and she picked out everything she wanted for around $60.00 I was happy, she's happy, can't really say I care to worry about keeping up withthe "Lisa Franks!"

 

[Southern4sure]

I always buy the white paper lunch bags. I cut 1 - 2 inches off the top using scalloped scissors. Then I let my kids decorate them anyway they want using markers, crayons and stickers. I then fold over about a 1/2 inch and hole punch two holes 1/4 inch of each other in the center of the bag. I use culing ribbon to tie closed and curl it. I usually use several different colors at the same time that coordinate with the colors of the cake. I never bought the little inexpensive toys...my kids always threw them down a few hours after playing with them. I did limit the candy in each bag. I bought bubbles, punching ball (the kind you blow up), scwirly straws, paddle w/ball, stickers, small coloring pads w/crayons. I didnt buy this all for every bag, these are some of the things I used over the years.

Southern4sure

 

[Took]

For DD's 9th bd, I avoided the 'bags' per se and just bought a bunch of those glow bracelets/necklaces from Dollar Tree. Every girl got a few. Big hit and no fuss.

Took

 

[JoiseyMom]

I am getting ready to put together goody bags for my 4 yr old DS. Last year I bought pails with matching shovels for under $1.00 and those were the "bags", inside it I put cheese and crackers, 1 little lollypop (I am VERY Anti Candy), raisins, plastic rings and bracelets for the girls, and I bought a box set of cars at a discount store, and the boys each got two cars in their bucket. I am looking now for "cheap" trinkets and something to put them in. YOu can do cute goody bags for little money. I am on a tight budget with dh being laid off yet again.

 

[Becky2005]

I'll be a dissenter - my DS had a party at an indoor golf place and got tokens at the end. We didn't do a goody bag and no one said anything about it! Actually, the boys were more anxious to get the tokens than anything else. LOL!!!!

We did make up goody bags for my DD and we had the party at the same place but it's her last big "kid party" so she asked if we could do it up.

So, with the description of where you are having it, I would skip the goody bags.

 

[mrsboz]

I definitely don't think that you need goody bags. I used to give them out at every party but then once I forgot to give them out. I was aggravated that I spent the money and fixed them up only to forget to hand them out. Now I don't give them out. No one reminded me about it and no one says anything. I do, do a special Valentine's Party for my daughters every year. They get to invite only a couple of friends each so I will give them something like lip gloss and a necklace. Something inexpensive but at least I think that they will use it since they always play dress up. I really think that it is ridiculous that we pay for the party and then give them a gift too????