Forum Index
»
Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Please don't do this for a party favor
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
OT but curious what are acceptable "favors all the kids can have" these days?
|
Anonymous
|
Favors all kids can have? I personally like things like crayons/coloring books, regular books, picture frame to put in picture of kid (the kids decorated the frames at the party). But of course, kids LOVE goody bags. And I have been to parties where there was no goody bag. My DD didn't care, didn't ask for one either, and this was after being at several parties.
I don't mind all the little junk either. I loved it as a kid, so I know my kid loves it too. FWIW, I would have HATED the fish and probably declined. We have cats. I don't even want to envision what would happen if we had a goldfish bowl anywhere in the house. The cats would get into it for sure. |
Anonymous
| PP answered for me. I think books are always a good choice. I've gotten and given little books, activity books, coloring books as party favors. They seem less wasteful than some of the plastic tchotchkes and you avoid the choking hazard question for little ones. |
Anonymous
| I agree with the OP. For God's sake, why would you give a living animal to a family? I don't care if it's a goldfish or an elephant. Taking care of a living being requires a commitment, no matter how small the being is. While the intention was good for story-book and "aw, how cute" purposes, the reality of it is gagging. |
Anonymous
| I'm still LOL'ing the the PP's "de rigeur" line . . . *snort* |
Anonymous
Me, too! I was hoping someone would start spewing and sputterring about us 'gauche' people who think a verbal thank you is sufficient. |
Anonymous
| we have a tank and motorized filter I'd be happy to give you, for free. We did the goldfish thing when our son was 4. None ever lasted too long and we gave up. |
Anonymous
| My kids got 2 goldfish as a party favor 3 years ago and they are STILL alive.... My kids love them and for me they are the perfect pets. I am sure my kids will not remember any other party favor when they are older, but they will remember their goldfish. |
Anonymous
|
I think all of you should seriously lighten up. We are talking about $ .25 fish. Far less than one piece of sushi.
I bet your kids thought they were awesome. If you don't want it, then don't take it. Certainly, don't take 7 extra. As for the "huge responsibility" of caring for your $ .25 pet, just stick 'em in a bowl. They are fish. Their life spans aren't that long and they don't require fancy aquariums. |
Anonymous
No do not "just stick 'em in a bowl". They will slowly die from the ammonia their urine produces. Hence the short life span you're talking about. Goldfish have a lifespan of up to 20 years. And they're supposed to be over a foot long. Don't get one if you're just going to stick it in a bowl to die. |
Anonymous
| 20 years, really? Is that for goldfish or related fish like comets or carps? Also, the size depends on the environment. The larger the tank, the larger they grow. |
Anonymous
| PP here. Just took a peek at wikipedia. Yes, you are right, 20 years. "In optimal conditions, goldfish may live more than 20 years, but most household goldfish generally live less than six to eight years, due to sub-optimal living conditions (such as being kept in bowls). The oldest recorded goldfish lived to 49 years.[10] The collective noun for a group of goldfish is a 'troubling' of goldfish.[11]" |
Anonymous
|
OP - I am with you. It's a living being and of COURSE you can't decline if all the other kids are taking them home. Not to mention, what if you aren't ready for the whole "some things die" conversation.
As far as the posters getting on her case as far as "what is an acceptable favor" - we are talking about people giving away living animals. I hate the plastic junk - but I think giving someone something that has to be cared for is a whole other ballgame. |
Anonymous
|
In general I am in agreement with the folks who say never to give a live pet as a gift.
That being said, I think most posters here have never actually owned a goldfish. I've owned several over my lifetime. The plain bowl and changing the water a couple times a week is a pain, so I definitely recommend the tank/filter setup. However, those setup are very inexpensive. You don't need anything fancy and they have some cute ones for a cheap price at the store -- PetSmart/Walmart, or pick one up on Craig's list or at a garage sale. I have never had a fish (dead or alive) get caught in the filter. People tend to overfeed fish, not underfeed them. You only feed goldfish once a day tops. And you can buy long term feeders that you can put in the tank when you go away on vacation. I did have a dime store fish that I acquired in college (can't quite remember how) that lasted probably 8 years. After that I took the tank to work and kept fish at my office until my first child came along. As far as low maintence goes, I recommend a Beta. My SIL gave me a beta in one of those jars that have the plant on top and the roots and fish in the water at the bottom. He lasted a good number of years just sitting there on my kitchen island and I only needed to change the water infrequently. The only time our cat would go after the beta was when I changed the water, so I just need to be sure to put him in a container with a top while I cleaned out his home and trimmed the plant's roots. |
Anonymous
|
i'm in the anti-live pet party favor camp, too. as a former owner of goldfish, who lived in our pond, i can assure you that they have long life spans. our fish were very friendly, too. we kept them alive for 4 years (heating the pond in the winter). they are still living, but in a neighbor's pond. i don't think it's cute to give away PETS to small children who can't commit to taking good care of them!
as for favors, my DS's 2nd bday is coming up. we are giving out small books with a little sesame street tschochke tied on top. |