Instead of "Gift Bags"

The closest thing I ever did for gift bags was a pinata and the bag of candy they picked up was their gift bag. I hate giving junk and hate getting junk at other parties. I wish we could all agree to do away with them.

M B
oh the goodie bags that get out of control... I would let the bag idea go they are there for a good time and they are getting a treat away like cake right. I would however make sure the thank you notes are written by the kids and sent out quickly. Have fun at the party.
J.

I think that is a great idea. I did gift bags one time and my husband was appalled over giving gift bags. He said, "If we have to give someone a gift to come to our sons party then we just won't have parties." So I never gave goody bags again and there was never a problem.

S.

I hate goodie bags,too with all the junk.Once I made these GIANT ____@____.com COOKIES for each child, I'm talking GIANT.
I love Thank you notes,but only for people we couldn't see in person,I mean Thank you for your gift and coming to my party should be enough.

I also hate gift bags. Usually the stuff gets tossed anyway. I do like the idea of maybe goggles or something like that if you feel the need to do something. But at 8 and 10, etc..no gift bags

I think you should have something. Even if it's as small as a ballooon to eacxh child. Since it's a swim party, you could give a beach ball or goggles. They have those at the dollar tree.

I love doing goodie bags but I don't like all the little junk. You could just buy microwave popcorn and around the package write something like " You made my birthday a popping good time", take pictures of the kids in the pool and put them into cheap frames for them to take home, beach balls,etc. It does not have to be anything big. If you choose not to do goodie bags I really don't think it matter though.

I know what you mean but the children do looko forward to getting something so my suggestion is to stop at a dollar tree or somewhere along that manner and grap inexpensive coloring books for them to take home. I did this once it was inexpensive, junk free and a real hit with the children plus no work stuffing those darn bags and it is attractive or all ages. Good luck

You could do something very simple. For my oldest son's last birthday in August, we bought pencil boxes, and in them we put a juice box, a box of crayons, and then we made CD's for all of his guests. We have also done the personalized candy bar wrappers, and just handed each child a Hershey's bar on their way out. That was probably my favorite one! lol

Hi!
If the pool allows it why not just buy things for them to play with in the pool according to their ages that they can take home? Beach balls, blow up toys for the younger kids and maybe Splash balls for the older kids? I sometimes think a bigger present for each kids is better than a bag of little stuff!

L.

I have never been a fan of goodie bags filled with junk. But my kids do look forward to getting something too, even if it is just a balloon (my kids are 5 and under). It doesn't have to be a lot of stuff. Some cookies are fine. I would send a thank you card even if you do give the kids a little something. I don't think goodie bags are in lieu of a thank you card. I think the goodie bag tradition started so the other kids felt as if they were getting a gift too.

If there were more people like you, I think there would be less stress and pressure for moms to give a 'bag of junk' at parties. On the other hand, I know how petty some mothers can be ("oh my gosh, susie didn't give gift bags at her party! *gasp* she's a terrible mother and awful hostess!") concerning gift bags, so if you feel like there will be severe social repercussion for your son if he doesn't give gift bags, then you might want to actually do it.

Come on, ladies, let's make it our New Year's resolution - no more wasting money on gift bags!

I think you can get away with not doing them since the boys are older. One idea is to buy toys that they can play with in the pool and then each child can take one home. That would provide fun, games, etc for the party but then you don't have to take it all home.

Honestly, you don't have to do gift bags or goody bags as some call them. The whole point of the party is to have fun. I had a party for my kids a while ago and we did not do goody bags. We played games and they got prizes and that was it. We hope to have a party at the Y for my kids' 10th and I do not plan to have any kind of goody bag. I think it goes along with some parties that go over the top. For my d's first in March, I will do little souvenirs for the adults only, since this is what my husbands family does. I think it all depends on what you want to do.

One year for a sleepover, I gave each girl a pillowcase. I think they were Disney princess ones. Another year for a sleepover each girl got a flashlight. Another party for my younger daughter all the girls got a monkey stuffed animal (dollar store kind) because my daughter loves monkeys. I didn't always do gift bags with junk in them -- sometimes I did, but I hate them like some of you moms on here! -- but I tried to think of one thing that fit the theme of the party. Maybe for yours everybody could get a blow-up pool toy or goggles. Just a thought. Have fun!