Birthday Party Goodie Bag

Updated on May 13, 2010
K.K. asks from Goshen, NY
16 answers

Does anyone know what the rule is for giving out goodie bags to invited guests who can not attend the birthday party? I was always under the assumption that goodie bags were given to guests who attended the birthday parties.

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M.T.

answers from New York on

Yes, goodie bags are for guests who come to the party. When my kids were small, if someone rsvp'ed "yes" but then at the last minute the kid got sick and could not come, I still gave them one next time I saw them, the poor kid was always so disappointed to miss the party, that made them feel better. I also think of the goodie bag or party favor as a "thank you" for a gift. If someone who didn't come gave a gift, I would pobably give them the goodie bag too, but someone who just rsvp's "No" wouldn't get one.

2 moms found this helpful
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R.T.

answers from Orlando on

I have three children and the oldest one is 12. We have seen a TON of birthday parties!! I have never received a goodie bag from a party we couldn't attend, nor have I given one to a child who didn't attend one of my kids' parties. To be completely honest, 99% of the goodie bags we receive go to the trash within a couple of weeks anyway. It's either a bunch of candy (they get a few pieces and the rest gets tossed) or cheap little trinkets. The only ones we kept longer than a couple of weeks was a small pot w/ seeds, and a foam door hanger with a bag of stickers.

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I'd also give O. to any kid that sends a gift, even if he/she's not there...

1 mom found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Columbus on

If they can't be there but send a gift I think you should give them a goodie bag.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from New York on

I used to make enough goodie bags for all the invited guests. However, if someone was unable to attend and sent a gift, I'll follow up with a thank you note and a goodie bag.

1 mom found this helpful
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V.F.

answers from Shreveport on

I only give it to the guests that attend, except for her little cousins. I want them to know that they were missed, but anyone else, I wouldn't.

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R.Y.

answers from New York on

I agree with the majority here with one exception. My son is in preschool and when there was an in school party each child in the class got the same goody bag even if they were out that day.

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T.N.

answers from New York on

In my experience, goodie bags are only given to those who attend, but there have been times when we had a couple bags left over from a party that we hosted and we gave them to friends who were not able to attend.

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G.T.

answers from Rochester on

I would give goodie bags to guests that do not attend if they sent a gift. Otherwise, no, they don't get a goodie bag. Sorry.

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V.M.

answers from Erie on

The only reason i might some how give to guest that couldn't attend would be if i had to buy things in say ... packs of 6 but then only had 4 come and just didn't want the extras in my house. that's all i can think of.

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A.H.

answers from New York on

General rule of thumb - if they give you a present, they get a goody bag.

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

i have never heard of anyone giving a goodie bag to a kid who didn't attend. I always only give them to the kids who attend the party

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L.G.

answers from New York on

I've given to people who cancelled at the last minute due to illness (it was a family friend), but otherwise not.

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S.F.

answers from Madison on

I would just give goodie bags to guests who attend the party.

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A.G.

answers from New York on

Only to those at the party UNLESS there was a child that RSVP and got sick and could not attend. Then I always get the goody bag to them so they don't miss out on everything! Also if there are siblings that are attending and 1 can not come for somereason I always send a goody bag home to the child that couldn't attend!

C.A.

answers from New York on

I would only give to the guests that attend.

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