Goody Bags, are they still in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids love them and expect them. So if you don't have them, kids will ask where they are (teach your kids not to ask!).

My kid is 12 but as a much younger child after one time he cluelessly asked about a goodie bag when there was none, I learned to tell him not to do that. And after the initial expectation is quashed I truly don't think kids care.

I STILL feel shame about asking the parent hosting the party about a party favor. "I didn't get a party favor...?" She glared at me. "We're not doing them this year, and that was RUDE."

Well she wasn’t wrong. My kids know not to ask for or about party favors. Some people do them, but a lot don’t and it is rude to ask.

I agree it was rude of me. But I was four. And there'd been a goody bag at every single birthday party I'd ever been to in my short life thus far. I genuinely didn't know that NOT having them was an option - it had just never occurred to me before.

Please, you were probably 8. 4 yr olds don’t notice or care. But someone had to tell you it was rude, should have been your mom, but I guess it never occurred to her you’d ask for a goody bag

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids love them and expect them. So if you don't have them, kids will ask where they are (teach your kids not to ask!).

My kid is 12 but as a much younger child after one time he cluelessly asked about a goodie bag when there was none, I learned to tell him not to do that. And after the initial expectation is quashed I truly don't think kids care.

I STILL feel shame about asking the parent hosting the party about a party favor. "I didn't get a party favor...?" She glared at me. "We're not doing them this year, and that was RUDE."

Well she wasn’t wrong. My kids know not to ask for or about party favors. Some people do them, but a lot don’t and it is rude to ask.

I agree it was rude of me. But I was four. And there'd been a goody bag at every single birthday party I'd ever been to in my short life thus far. I genuinely didn't know that NOT having them was an option - it had just never occurred to me before.

Please, you were probably 8. 4 yr olds don’t notice or care. But someone had to tell you it was rude, should have been your mom, but I guess it never occurred to her you’d ask for a goody bag

Nope, it was the summer before kindergarten started, and I started K two months before turning 5. Thus, I was 4. And I noticed because I have a sweet tooth and was already planning what I wanted to go in the goody bags for my birthday party in October.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I once handed out an age appropriate inexpensive book. All the same, of course, to prevent sobs.

I give out a book as well! People seem to like it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids love them and expect them. So if you don't have them, kids will ask where they are (teach your kids not to ask!).

My kid is 12 but as a much younger child after one time he cluelessly asked about a goodie bag when there was none, I learned to tell him not to do that. And after the initial expectation is quashed I truly don't think kids care.

I STILL feel shame about asking the parent hosting the party about a party favor. "I didn't get a party favor...?" She glared at me. "We're not doing them this year, and that was RUDE."

Well she wasn’t wrong. My kids know not to ask for or about party favors. Some people do them, but a lot don’t and it is rude to ask.

I agree it was rude of me. But I was four. And there'd been a goody bag at every single birthday party I'd ever been to in my short life thus far. I genuinely didn't know that NOT having them was an option - it had just never occurred to me before.

Please, you were probably 8. 4 yr olds don’t notice or care. But someone had to tell you it was rude, should have been your mom, but I guess it never occurred to her you’d ask for a goody bag

Yes 4 year olds completely notice. It is their second year on bday parties. They hae gotten may goodie bags.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m fine with favors as long as they are not the cheap plastic junk. Don’t waste your money on that - a cookie, candy, hair ties, a book, even a notebook and pen, will all get used.

This year, we had a painting party and the painting was their favor.

Agreed. We’re giving pencils, stickers, temporary tattoos, and a dumdum. DS asked for the plastic junk and I explained that it was just useless plastic that would end up in the trash and he totally understood.

That’s junk that will go to to trash too.

My grown kids are moving out of the house. SO MANY PENCILS!! All unused...more than 50. I just gave them away on Freecycle.

[Anonymous]

I really don’t want to bring home goody bags. I appreciate a party without them.

[Anonymous]

My middle school kid still gets party favors. In elementary, yes, kids get party favors, does not necessarily have to be in a bag. My daughter has gotten books, jewelry, lip gloss, etc.

[Anonymous]

Just do a goody bag. The kids like it.

Also you don’t need to crowdsource this.

Many people on here are huge ass holes anyways and you don’t need their stupidity.

[Anonymous]

The worst are the goodie bags given out by the venue as part of the party package. It’s absolute junk that falls apart on the car ride home. And if your kid attends enough parties there you just keep accumulating them.

Looking at you Chuck E Cheese and Ultrazone.

I’ve done favors for my kids’ parties, but it’s always something consumable or short lived. Like we gave out mini pumpkins one year at my October kid’s Halloween themed birthday. I refuse to send other people’s kids home with stuff I wouldn’t want in my own house.

[Anonymous]

My girls (9 and 11) are still getting goody bags, but because they're older and the parties are smaller, they are no longer getting the cheap plastic crap that came with preschool/Kindergarten and whole class parties.

Party favors nowadays are things like a small makeup bag and scrunchies, a notebook and gel pens, a craft they made at the party, etc. (and yes, sometimes bags of candy come home - we did a piñata at one of our kids' parties).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids love them and expect them. So if you don't have them, kids will ask where they are (teach your kids not to ask!).

My kid is 12 but as a much younger child after one time he cluelessly asked about a goodie bag when there was none, I learned to tell him not to do that. And after the initial expectation is quashed I truly don't think kids care.

I STILL feel shame about asking the parent hosting the party about a party favor. "I didn't get a party favor...?" She glared at me. "We're not doing them this year, and that was RUDE."

Well she wasn’t wrong. My kids know not to ask for or about party favors. Some people do them, but a lot don’t and it is rude to ask.

I agree it was rude of me. But I was four. And there'd been a goody bag at every single birthday party I'd ever been to in my short life thus far. I genuinely didn't know that NOT having them was an option - it had just never occurred to me before.

Please, you were probably 8. 4 yr olds don’t notice or care. But someone had to tell you it was rude, should have been your mom, but I guess it never occurred to her you’d ask for a goody bag

A four year old is much more likely to do this than an 8 year old. I definitely remember one of my kids in preschool saying "but I didn't get a goody bag" as we were walking out of a party once.

[Anonymous]

Yes, part of the fun! Ends with small tween/teen parties.

Fun recent favor was a whoopie cushion… the kids all seemed to love them (age 8). Candy is totally fine (call me low class, but I let my kids take a piece of candy from their stash in their lunch or to the pool …

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just do a goody bag. The kids like it.

Also you don’t need to crowdsource this.

Many people on here are huge ass holes anyways and you don’t need their stupidity.

This. It’s not about you. It’s about your kid and enjoying their special day.

All kids like goody bags or to get something. And as they get older, then dump the plastic junk and get 1 quality item.

IMO parents that say no gifts at bdays or no goodie bags should ask their kid if that’s what they want, and I bet the overwhelming majority of kids would say of course they want gifts and goodie bags.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are kids still getting goody bags from birthday parties? I’ve heard from a friend that people have stopped giving them away at birthday parties.

Stupid junky pieces of plastic no thank you. Useless and annoying. Goes in the trash. Can’t be recycled.

Most beneficial party gift ever was a large sturdy canvas duffle bag w my son’s name embossed on it. He got it at a party when he was about 6 and he’s 17. It’s been used for swim practice for years and is now used for his volunteer job. Totally useful, practical and I’m sure cost more than most party favors.

No one cares if you give a gift at the end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely goody bags if they've received them from others. When in Rome...

Doesn't have to be over the top though. Think pirate themed party and a treasure chest full of dollar store / party city booty for 7 and unders. Could be filled with anything. Also great times for the ride home.

Incredible suburban brain right here. Bravo.