We have been to a few parties with no favors and my kids haven't noticed! And I didn't hear any other kids whining upon exit. Go for it--you really can do whatever you want.

I'd do a gymnastics ribbon on a stick toy. I've bought them for $2. Can be used in the party too

We do a nice favor, never a goodie bag. We have done homemade play dough, tutus, necklaces, and sand buckets. One nicer item instead of loads of junk.

Kids love balloons!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hate goody bags! Hate the fact that now my kid expects a present every time we go to a party.

I did, too but at this age I still did a small party favor. I can't remember when I stopped.

OP no goody bags is fine. I think it's a little sad that it's come to be an expectation. You go to a birthday party to give a gift, not get one.

Party favors have been an expectation for a very long time. Decades, and in the case of wedding favors, centuries. If you're going to throw a party, you can thank your guests for coming. You can even do them the favor of giving them some small gift that they would like, rather than a bag of plastic toys that are immediately tossed in the trash.

My kids LOVE goodie bags. But they have been trained that not everyone does them and to never say "I didn't get my goodie bag." to the hosts.

My kids would be disappointed but no big deal. You don't need to do a goodie bag full of junk. You could do a book, crayons, etc.

Anonymous wrote:Hate goody bags! Hate the fact that now my kid expects a present every time we go to a party.

I did, too but at this age I still did a small party favor. I can't remember when I stopped.

OP no goody bags is fine. I think it's a little sad that it's come to be an expectation. You go to a birthday party to give a gift, not get one.

I do a book. Kids would be happy with a balloon too.

Hate goody bags! Hate the fact that now my kid expects a present every time we go to a party.

A balloon is a nice goodie bag. As is a sticker book or other small item. It doesn't have to be plastic junk, but kids like goodie bags and I'm happy to find little toys or books to give out.

I do favors, not goodie bags. One year it was a long bubble wand, one year it was a Hot Wheels car etc. You don't have to do it at all, but I find one item to be much more manageable than a goodie bag. I tend to throw that crap out too.

We did early readers. They cost about $2 each and, I thought, were less likely to end up in the trash. 4 is young enough that they'll be disappointed with no favors.

Skip them. It's fine.

Is this bad of me? I absolutely hate goodie bags as I always end up throwing the crap out. My kids love it but they never use anything so now my child is turning 4 and I planned a party for her at gymnastics place (not cheap). I don't want to do goodie bags but am I horrible and bad etiquette if I go without them at the party? I was thinking I can give each child a balloon as they leave?