Goody bags are filled with plastic shit filling up landfills or candy no one needs.

They need to go away. It is a waste of time for the parents paying for them and making them and it is a PIA for parents of kids that receive them.

I am telling you, mine go right into the goodwill basket when we get home. My kid doesn't need dollar store crap, another pencil, a flashlight, a sports cup, a snap bracelet, candy, socks, tattoos, crayons etc...

Most kids and most houses are filled with junk. You are adding more. They are a complete waste of time, money and effort. And kids who are disappointed of not getting one after they were given a free party and cake (sometimes lunch) are spoiled babies.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid will be disappointed. We went to a party a month ago, and the host got goody bags and forgot them. My dd is still talking about that.

curious - what do you say in response?

...and how old is she?

Lots of snubs for this poster,

I just want to extend some empathy. My daughter, 4, would also remember her disappointment, she remembers me not letting her buy something 6 months ago and still gets whiney and sad about it. I say no to stuff all the time, she is by no means a princess or spoiled and we talk regularly about not always getting what you want. It doesn't diminish her great dismay. I am at a loss.

That said, she may be disappointed, but it's ok if you don't give her a goody bag. Maybe she will learn from it.

Don't they get tokens at Chuckie Cheese parties? You should hand out empty bags and tell them they can put their 'prize' in there. Ha!

I don't mind doing something small for younger kids. Once they are in kindergarten though they are old enough to understand that you don't go to a birthday party for a friend and expect to get something.

I would be ashamed of my child if he went to a party and focused on the lack of a goody bag.

Anonymous wrote:Goody bags... I wish they'd go away. We give something -- a balloon or candy or one small toy -- but I would love for the trend to die. If my DD was upset she did not get a goody bag, I would quickly remind her that she got cake and a good time. That's plenty.

A balloon or candy is no better.

Anonymous wrote:I have not given goody bags out of every year, but when I have done so, then it was something useful: small flashlight, seeds, water bottles, lights for bikes. One year the goody was the pillow case the kids decorated at a sleep-under. Have been able to find stuff online for roughly the same price as the goody bag of plastic and candy.

What's a sleep-under?

Anonymous wrote:I have not given goody bags out of every year, but when I have done so, then it was something useful: small flashlight, seeds, water bottles, lights for bikes. One year the goody was the pillow case the kids decorated at a sleep-under. Have been able to find stuff online for roughly the same price as the goody bag of plastic and candy.

x2 on the flashlights. They have pretty cool (and functioning) ones at the dollar store, and I'm sure the kids would be thrilled to get them.

I'm right there with you, OP. Cake is sufficient!

Anonymous wrote:My kid will be disappointed. We went to a party a month ago, and the host got goody bags and forgot them. My dd is still talking about that.

Awwww, poor little Larla.

You didn't tell your kid to STFU. You let them whine about a good bag? SELFISH

I have not given goody bags out of every year, but when I have done so, then it was something useful: small flashlight, seeds, water bottles, lights for bikes. One year the goody was the pillow case the kids decorated at a sleep-under. Have been able to find stuff online for roughly the same price as the goody bag of plastic and candy.

My kids have been to a party with no goody bag. No big deal.

Anonymous wrote:My kid will be disappointed. We went to a party a month ago, and the host got goody bags and forgot them. My dd is still talking about that.

The little Princess was disappointed. There's a shocker!

Anonymous wrote:My son is having a b-day party this weekend at Chuck E. Cheese's (his choice) and I am NOT doing any G-D goody bags. I know kids expect them now, and I may look like a miserly mom, but I have had it with little bags full of crap. I figure that the kids will get enough tickets to buy some piece of junk from the CEC store, and they are getting free pizza, cake, and all the over-stimulation they could ask for. I'm rebelling against the machine (at least a little bit)!

Chuck E Cheese does a nice job for kids bday parties. I'm sure your party will be lots of fun, goody bags or no goody bags.

Goody bags... I wish they'd go away. We give something -- a balloon or candy or one small toy -- but I would love for the trend to die. If my DD was upset she did not get a goody bag, I would quickly remind her that she got cake and a good time. That's plenty.

Anonymous wrote:I don't blame you OP. Maybe you can start a new trend. The kids who continue to come to your non-goody bag child's parties will be counted as the real friends.

Oh that's just silly. My DD12 loves goody bags. She loves her friends too, and will go to their parties when invited whether or not there's a goody bag at the end.