Skip the candy. A nice book and bookmark sound great to me. I'd put it in a clear wrapping or color of the party with a ribbon and a little tag saying thanks for coming. Keep it simple.

I actually used the books as part of the party decorations for my DS 4yr bday. Then invited each kid to take one home at the end. The only goody bag thing I like are books or stickers. I think the books went over well at our party. Thinking of doing it again this year.

Anonymous wrote:I like the idea. You could have them in a basket and say thank u for coming as the kids leave.

We did this several times for my DDs' parties. I specifically bought a few more than I needed and left them unwrapped so that each child could select a book that seemed of interest.

I did that for my child's birthday -- I had a book that had to do with the theme of the party. I wrapped each book so each child would have a present to unwrap (wasteful paper I suppose but there's nothing better than unwrapping a present when you're a kid and the book wasn't that big). We also had a pinata that I filled with things like little bags of pretzels, some bouncy balls and Annie's fruit gummies and that was it so it wasn't a junk-fest of stuff that parents would just throw away. I had some very small bags on hand so the kids could scoop up the goodies and had the books in a basket as they left.

I love the book idea, and those small chapter type books, like Ninjago, are perfect. I would stick in a couple strips of stickers and maybe a festive pencil.

Anonymous wrote:Tie a wide ribbon around it. To the ribbon, attach a lollipop by tying it to the bow or curls. Stick a page of stickers and/or a bookmark between the book and ribbon.

I think this sounds cute and is a great idea.

I like the idea. You could have them in a basket and say thank u for coming as the kids leave.

Anonymous wrote:I'd be happy with just the book, but then, I don't expect to be entertained to commercial standards by other busy parents. Gosh, you know, favors are a fairly recent, completely unnecessary development in kids' parties.

That said, my favorite little kids' birthday parties have been themed to a book that was also the favor. I think it's a great way to give something actually worth having and keep the total junk load low.

Not that recent...I was born in 1975 and I remember giving out goody bags at my parties, and receiving them at the parties I attended.

I did books for my daughter's bday. I ordered postcards from Vistaprint with a picture of my daughter on it and stuck it in the book as a bookmark/thank you for coming to my party.

If you have the setup to do this, you could take a photo of the guest and birthday child together, download to a bookmark template, and print out while they do something else.

I'd be happy with just the book, but then, I don't expect to be entertained to commercial standards by other busy parents. Gosh, you know, favors are a fairly recent, completely unnecessary development in kids' parties.

That said, my favorite little kids' birthday parties have been themed to a book that was also the favor. I think it's a great way to give something actually worth having and keep the total junk load low.

Tie a wide ribbon around it. To the ribbon, attach a lollipop by tying it to the bow or curls. Stick a page of stickers and/or a bookmark between the book and ribbon.

I'm planning to give one paperback book as the goody bag party favor at my child's upcoming sixth birthday party. Should I just hand them out and save on wasteful paper? Or should I dress it up somehow? Would your kid cringe at getting just a book? I could add a pencil or bookmark, etc. All ideas welcome.