Hello moms, my son's birthday party is coming up soon and I am still agonizing over the party favors. I have invited 3 families who have 2 kids each. The kids are 2.5 - 6 yrs old. I had recently attended birthday parties for kids from 2 of those families. One family gave a standard goody bag with stickers, candy etc probably costing $2-3. The other family (they don't know each other) gave a $15-20 gift as a party favor!. Now, I can spend that much on favors but I don't want to because I feel party favors should not be too much. Also, I feel that the first mom may not like getting expensive favors. I have only met with the first mom one time during her twins birthday party. They are in my son's preschool. But, at the same time I feel pressurized to keep up with the second mom. I meet with the second mom 2-3 times/wk for play dates. What should I do? I will need party favors for 6 kids with a fire truck theme. I am not crafty or very social, so I don't want to do the make something during the party and give that as a party favor idea. Another factor in this is that we will be moving out of state 1 month later, so I don't know whether the first and the third family will be coming.
I have not read the other responses but if it was me for party favors for a party for kids with a fire truck theme. I would would go to the party city and get fire engine hats. And make or order some fire engine shaped cut out cookies. and be done with it. don't try to one up a family it just keeps it going on and on to the point where no one can afford the party anymore.
This question is just PROOF that the only reason gift bags are given is to keep up with the Jones'. I have never been a fan of them and have never given them out. No one has thought twice about it. My kids have come home from parties without a gift bag. So since you have experienced a $3 gift bag and a $20 gift, why don't you do NOTHING and set the pace for the others. Wouldn't that be great? I would not even be thinking twice about this. JMO. Good luck.
Skip the goody bags, they are a waste of time and money. Get everyone a cookie from a bakery, maybe shaped like a firemans badge or firetruck. Put the cookie in a cellophane bag with red and white ribbon, with a cute tag that says thank you for coming to my party, hope you had a blazing time.
Not sure about spicy, fire hot candy for young children....maybe that was a joke.
Spicy, fire or hot flavored candy (box of Hot Tamales, jalepeno lolipops, Tabasco lolipops, Red Hots etc etc), along with a sticker badge from the local fire station (free). I'm sure you local Mexican food place sells spicy candy.
Who cares if anyone gave out $20 party favors? You don't have to match their money decisions, do you?
It's not a competition, nor should it be. I think it's beyond ridiculous to spend $20 on a party favor/goody bag. I've always done my own thing and always will. We've done ice cream scoop gift certificates from Baskin Robbins in the past and they've always been a big hit. One year we made CD copies of a kids reggae album by Ziggy Marley. Don't give in to the perceived pressure!
Trying to keep up with the Jones' is for the birds. I would never spend that much on party favors. The only one putting pressure on you to spend that much $ on party favors, is you. Go to the craft store and see if they have a make your own fire truck kit that the kids can take home and make if you don't want to make it at the party. Or like someone said, go to the fire department and ask if they have free stickers. They might even have free plastic fireman hats they can give you. Also, no matter the theme, glow bracelets/necklaces are always a big hit and you can find them in the $ section at Target, Walmart, and Michaels. Or just go to Party City and visit the fire truck section and see what they have.
This question gets asked a lot on Mamapedia, and the prevailing wisdom seems to be that a) goody bags are getting out of hand and b) $20 per guest is ridiculous even with only 6 kids. Can you imagine the huge parties with 25 kids???
Don't fall to the pressure of the mom who goes overboard. Maybe she did more because she had 2 kids and they were each receiving gifts, but still, $10 per party favor per child is still too much in most people's estimation. It just aggravates all the other parents who are trying to keep this under control. I commend you for doing a small party with just a few kids - that's extremely appropriate for a 4 year old!
A party favor is supposed to be a small memento of the event, not a quid pro quo for the guest bringing a present to the birthday child. Somewhere along the line, this whole thing got way out of hand, and a lot of moms are feeling like you do! Kids wind up wanting to attend a party to see what they're going to get, instead of going to celebrate a friend's special day.
I don't think it matters that you meet up with her for play dates - you don't have to "pay" her kids for that just because you see her frequently. Resist the pressure, start a trend in your social circle (or more accurately, return to a sensible custom from years and years of party-going and party-giving.) Some people just do a simple craft, and the finished product is the "favor" - kids do pictures, or decorate a picture frame, or create something else. Or they just play a few games.
I think, if you keep it simple, you'll set a standard for all your parties to come.
I also think a $20 gift is ridiculous. Why do you care about keeping up with "Mrs. Jones" when you're moving next month anyway? Do what YOU think is right.
Don't play the "keeping up with the Jones' " game. You need a fire truck theme for seven kids (guest plus your son)? Plastic fireman's hat from the party store will do the trick and the kids will be happy. You could even find a coloring sheet or two and have them color at the party or take it home.
We have done goody bags (but I try to stay away from the super cheeap toys) but always try to have it go with the theme of the party. Often we do crafts at the party so the "bag" are ;more to carry thier items in.
Give out plastic fireman hats with a candy attached to it. Don't do anything expensive. Personally, I am happy when a parent does not do goody bags!
Sidewalk chalk. Bubbles. Kids of all ages love them. Dollar store has them. It's not a competition. Honestly, don't waste emotional energy on this. Why in the world do you feel the need to "keep up" with goodie-bags? Let it go. There are much more important things to worry about than "are my 4year old's birthday bags better than his classmate's?".
Do what YOU want and nevermind anyone else.
One year I did a dino theme. I got some rubber skeletons to dig up and some inflatable dinos for the kids to find. Cheap hats. Happy kids.
So how about http://www.costumesupplies.com/store/p/238301-Child-Size-... and http://www.christianbook.com/create-fire-truck-sticker-ac... and let them run around and be kids?
(The links are for a cheap hat and a book).
There is no rule that a treat or goodie needs to be handed out. Being invited to the party is the treat.
If you really want to give them something, how about a bottle of bath bubbles? A slice of cake to go. A balloon or 2 that were used as a party decoration.
Or a cupcake to take with them..
I do parties for people and we no longer are doing goodie bags. They got out of control and parents hate all of that junk.
I usually spend $5 or less on party favors. Recently, I have given each child a book - one that is age appropriate, so different for the 2 year olds than the 6 year olds. If I can get the books for $2.50 or less, I may also include a pencil and/or stickers. I do not match the items in the goody bags to the theme of the party and very rarely do I receive goody bags that match the theme, so I don't think you have to limit yourself to fire trucks.
Please don't do favors, they get thrown away as soon as you are out of eye contact. Parents really don't want them and get rid of them as soon as they can.
This is a fad that hopefully will go away very soon.
I also love to give goody bags and my kids have always loved getting them, no matter how small or inexpensive. It's just fun! Don't worry about keeping up, just have fun picking stuff out! Firehouse Subs has plastic fireman hats you could get for free! Www.birthdaypartyideas.com is a great resource for all kinds of ideas and US Toy off Quebec is another great place for supplies! Enjoy your son's party!
Is there a theme to your party? I once gave out dinosaurs at a dino party - 1 for each child. They cost about $2-3 each, and they were about 6" long and squishy (rubberized on the outside, with sand inside their bodies). The kids (and parents) loved them.
Another party, I gave out mini fabric snakes for a "Scales 'n Tales" party. Those were more like $5 each (which is more than I like to spend frankly on party favors), but they were very pretty and the kids liked those too.
Other times, I have bought party favors, and then forgotten to hand them out. Very frustrating. I personally, do not think they are necessary, but if you are going to do them, my suggestion is just do 1 small (but "nicer) toy that goes with the theme of the party.
Just give a little treat, a little memento of the party.
I've gotta ask - WHAT was the "$15-$20 gift"?! A person can get a bunch of toys for $15-$20...what did that mom give everyone?
I usually get the normal inexpensive stuff. It shouldn't cost you that much. With that I usually do one custom thing also, maybe stickers on the bottom of Hershey's kissed that say "Thanks for coming to Josh's 8th bday" sort of thing. You can buy the templates on Etsy or order on ebay for a couple of bucks a sheet. Kind of special, but still within the normal goodie bag price range. :)
