Please don't do this for a party favor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't want to be placed in the situation where I have to decline, with my son there asking why, WHY can't he have it? He'll take care of it! Mom, PLEASE?

It's a cute idea, okay, but inconvenient for a lot of people. I'd also have to go out and buy all the accessories. No matter how much it costs, the errand and the fish are added to my to-do list, and they wouldn't be welcome additions.

We might get the child a fish at some point - or hell, a puppy - but let me decide when that is, that's all.

Agree. Some people are just unbelievable to even think it is ok to give away live animals as a party favor....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of pet stores sell starter tank kits that include everything you'd need to set up a tank (tank, hood, filter, food, plants) for much less than $100. Also, don't most filters have small water intake holes so how does the fish get stuck?

PP here..I imagine once you have the fish, you'll have to find someone to feed it (not sure how many times a day) while you're on vacation, even for an overnight--It's actually not a small responsibility. I think it's a great thing to have a fish, don't get me wrong... but fish ownership should be the result of a deliberate choice by the family. I'm sure the host meant well and it was a sweet thought but i just don't think it was a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't want to be placed in the situation where I have to decline, with my son there asking why, WHY can't he have it? He'll take care of it! Mom, PLEASE?

It's a cute idea, okay, but inconvenient for a lot of people. I'd also have to go out and buy all the accessories. No matter how much it costs, the errand and the fish are added to my to-do list, and they wouldn't be welcome additions.

We might get the child a fish at some point - or hell, a puppy - but let me decide when that is, that's all.

Agree. Some people are just unbelievable to even think it is ok to give away live animals as a party favor....

All I can hear is my mother's voice: "No one wants you to hand them a fish as they walk out the door. No."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of pet stores sell starter tank kits that include everything you'd need to set up a tank (tank, hood, filter, food, plants) for much less than $100. Also, don't most filters have small water intake holes so how does the fish get stuck?

Have you ever had fish? The fish don't get stuck and die, they die and then their carcasses get stuck to the very small intake holes as water circulates in the tank and through the filter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of pet stores sell starter tank kits that include everything you'd need to set up a tank (tank, hood, filter, food, plants) for much less than $100. Also, don't most filters have small water intake holes so how does the fish get stuck?

Have you ever had fish? The fish don't get stuck and die, they die and then their carcasses get stuck to the very small intake holes as water circulates in the tank and through the filter.

Yes, many. I wasn't asking if they get stuck and die. It's been my experience that they float at the top; I've never found a dead fish stuck to the filter uptake system.

[Anonymous]

Just remember is is one gallon of water per inch of fish. Anything less and the ammonia and other waste will kill the fish. Biggest mistake people make. That and forgetting to feed it.

I think fish can be a great learning tool for kids. But, it is NOT cool for a party favor. Besides saying "hey here's a gift you have to take care of" you are basically treating the animal as a disposable commodity, which i have issues with personally.

[Anonymous]

Bad idea IMO but I'm a practical mama.

How many of the kids would have had a fishbowl waiting at home for the poor fish? What if the family was planning to run errands or do something after the party rather than go home right away to take care of the fish? What is the family already had fish that don't get along with a goldfish?

But OP my DH would have done the same thing and taken 6 extra. My DH almost came home with a hamster on a whim b/c they were near a petstore on a trip out to get milk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Next time lecture your DH about not taking half a dozen home, instead of lecturing a random forum about attempts at thoughtful gift giving.

Hello, is this your first time here? Nobody's lecturing, just commenting. Jeez.

[Anonymous]

I'm with the OP - bad idea to give out goldfish!

[Anonymous]

All I can hear is my mother's voice: "No one wants you to hand them a fish as they walk out the door. No."


That line gave me quite a chuckle!

I would not, however, chuckle if my child were offered a gold fish as a party favor. Count me in with most of the other posters, I don't think it's a very good idea; I would have declined. Maybe that's why there were so many leftovers?

[Anonymous]

and the idea of fish as a disposable commodity (as PP put it) is upsetting to me, too.

[Anonymous]

I know you probably don't want to bother but I have a 10 gallon fish tank I'm not using that you're welcome to have. I have the filters and everything. The fish will die from the ammonia levels very quickly in a bowl. Especially goldfish. They are not very clean fish.

[Anonymous]

I dont see what the big deal is?!?!?! If you dont want a goldfish then dont take it home, especially a handful of them?!?! I actually think it was a cute idea but hey, to each there own.

[Anonymous]

I actually thought about doing this this year for my DS, but I had planned on asking all of the parents ahead of time to be sure they would want one! Also, to the person saying "If that is how this town is..." - the reason I thought of doing it was because they only cost $.25!!

[Anonymous]

Far from a "big deal," just an unwelcome hassle. And I wouldn't want to explain to my child why he gets no party favor while the other kids do, etc., etc. Ends the party on a sour note. I'm not a huge fan of the goodie bag/party favor personally, but if you're going to have them, why not buy favors all the kids can have?