Are Goody Bags Necessary

I don't think that goody bags are necessary for children attending the party, but if you wanted to do something, maybe a decorated cookie "favor" from a bakery or something to that effect would be an idea...no clue, just throwing it out there. Everyone likes cookies, right? ;o)

What I did when my twins turned one was this.....

I bought different items on clearance for just a dollar or two at Walmart, Dollar Tree,Target etc... and put the items in a box. I bought things as I went... well in advanced so I eventually found some good deals.

I wrapped a box and lid with birthday wrapping paper. (about the size of a filing folder type box) As the guests left the party, I welcomed my nieces and nephews to take something from the goody box. I removed the lid and they got to take a toy, lip gloss, playing cards, etc... They could see the little gifts. They loved this approach because they got to pick the "goodie" out from several choices. I bought a few extra items and just used them for another time. I don't think goodie bags with tiny junky things is a good idea and it is not expected at my family parties. Once your child gets a little older, he can pass out goodie bags to the departing guests. I prefer just a two or three decent gifts from the dollar store in a goodie bag over a bag of cheap yo-yos, tatoos, plastic rings, plastic animals, sugar straws, etc... I think goodie bags are a bit more expected at birthday parties intended for friends.

I think goody bags are unnecessary and rarely have them. The party should be enough. That being said, if you want to hand out something, how about a beach ball? Everyone has fun with a beach ball. Go to Oriental Trading Co. and order some.

I also think a pinata would be great - for older and younger kids alike.

I always do goody bags for family and friend parties. I've done the range of finding cheap clearance items (hair stuff, wrist bands are big for boys, art stuff...) or digging through the $1 bins at Target, Michaels, WalMart & Walgreens . But...for your variety of ages I would do (for the babies and under 1 year - those big, pretty rubber balls that you get anywhere. And maybe, for the older ones - theatre size box of candy (from Walgreens) or anyone older - I love the idea of going to a bakery and making a specialty big cookie or making and decorating them yourself (in advance if you have time), then just wrapping it in cellophane-finding one that fits the theme of the party. (nice suggestion from the last entry!) I definitely cut it off after 8th grade. Have fun!

Personally, no I don't think goody bags are necessary. When my oldest turned one we had a nice family party with both my family and my husbands family at the same time (which I will never do again). There were only three other kids, my niece and my husbands cousins. Of course I didn't not even think to get goody bags. My niece was fine with it and she was seven. Well my husbands family is still complaining about it today! I guess you just need to know who your guests are and go from there.

I don't think we knew enough to do goody bags when my first son turned one. We usually do goody bags for family parties now, but we're thinking about stopping. Pinatas are fun and they have the candy to take home. You could have a craft that's also something to take home. For example, we've done decorate-your-own capes and tie dye T-shirts (cool, but too labor-intensive!)

I waver back and forth on this. It depends on the age of the kids and usually for family parties I don't do goody bags. If my child is having a kid only party I usually will.
One thing I have done in the past that is great in the summer is the glo sticks from the dollar store. We have many family parties go into the evening and this kids love wearing them as bracelets or necklaces.

It's a nice touch, but totally not necessary. We've never done goody bags for family parties--just parties for kids. A pinata would be a great thing to do to keep the kids occupied. If you are having lots of kids at this family party than maybe a game or two is nice, but goody bags aren't necessary.

Well I will tell you I did a big party at the pool and sicne they all got to swim I figured no goody bag its junk and it gets pricey well... all the kids asked me abotu the goody bags. Personally I think they are not necessary however the kids are now expecting it.

Good Luck with that one!

At my nieces party, my sister gave a kite to each kid. they were from the dollar tree.

My daughters 5th birthday is next week and up to this point I have never done the goody bag or treat thing at school and all the other parents do. I wasn't planning on doing it again this year, until my daughter who is very even keeled and very good became very upset that we were not doing anything.

I broke down and went to the dollar store and bought some little things to throw in a bag. For 20 kids I spent $10 total. Even though as a parent a cringe when I get the junk bags, she was thrilled to help pick out the items and put the bags together.

For a one year old though I honestly think it is not necessary, my daughter is just turning 5 and this is the first time we are doing it.

No I do not think goody bags are necessary for a first birthday. A child's first birthday is really for the family and close friends. It is more for the adults than the baby.

The following is just my option. I think this world has forgot the reason for a birthday party. I is for the child and not for the guest coming. We have gotten so we have to bribe children and there parents to come to a child's party and that is not right. At my son's parties we had some games, some food and no goody bags. My son just graduated high school a week ago and was just as popular goody bags or not. But that is my option.

Just needed to vent....

S.

it all depends what ages are going to be there. for my sons first birthday i didnt do goodie bags, i attended a ton of 1st birthday parities in the las tyear and out of around 10 i only got 1 goodie bag =)