Party favors or goodie bags? Here's our take!

I suppose I could go on and on about why I would prefer not to receive a 

goodie bag as a parent.

But I have decided to limit my tyrade to a few thoughts, 2 to be exact.

  

As as Mom of three children, and the owner of a childrens service based business, I can vouch for the fact that I have seen every kind of party and with each comes the ever necessary and most annoying goodie bag.
But how do I, as a Mom really feel about it? Stay tuned to find out.

Why I don't do goodie bags:
1) They are generally filled with cheap, plastic, made in china toys that have no lasting value and usually get sucked up by the vacuum, or shifted to the furthest corner under the couch to be discovered and recycled or chucked at some distant later date. We are already inundated with puzzle and game pieces. We do not need to add to the mounting mass of little bits of junk. Yes I call it junk! And further more, my children lose interest with them immediately.

Why I really don't do goodie bags:
2)The candy- Didn't we just eat cake? Talk about getting your cake and candy too. No thanks, really... and not necessary! Today, Moms are diet consiencious of what their little ones eat. Proper ettiquette is to ask a child if it is alright to have candy when visiting Grandmas, so why shouldn't that ettiquette apply at parties. Not to mention so many children today are gluten intolerant, have food allergies, are diabetic or have other food related intolerances. I have attended so many parties where at least one child can't have cake. So now no cake and no candy? With so many issues, I think its better to avoid sugar candies all together.

So whats the Solution?

I propose the following:
Purchase one gift for everyone. Here are some ideas under $5:

GIRLS PARTY FAVORS: from top left to bottom right...photo frame globe, gigantic bubbles, bubble wands (themed and so cute), apron (great for a cooking party), wands

MORE IDEAS

GIRLS PARTY FAVORS: Activity in a box, mask, ribbon on a stick, hula hoop, stuffed friends in a bag

BOYS PARTY FAVORS: jump rope, sidewalk chalk, coloring/activity book, ball and hoop, bat with ball, skateboard (and they did have helmets too)

 MORE IDEAS

BOYS PARTY FAVORS: Giant magnet, model magic, soft sword, silly giant glasses, color explosion book

Where these items were found:

Five and below:
collage 1: photo frame globe, themed bubble wands 
collage 2: ribbon on a stick, stuffed friends in a bag
collage 3: jump rope, sidewalk chalk,  ball and hoop, bat with ball, skateboard
collage 4: model magic, giant silly glasses


Michaels Store

collage 1: kids apron, gigantic bubbles, wands
collage 2: Activity in a box, hula hoop, mask 
collage 3: coloring/activity book
collage 4: magnet, sword, color explosion


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