Guest guest Posted May 12, 2001 Report Share Posted May 12, 2001 Francesca wrote > BTW, is anyone else fed up with the idea of party bags and the " bigger > and better " competition that goes on between mummies now? > > The party bags we have from parties are never in the " bigger and better " league. Sometimes few sweets (Nestle often living so near York) balloons and maybe a pencil and 10p note book and cake. It does not really seem to matter what is in the bag as long as a bag is given. Presents usually seem to be around the £3 mark. Is that the going rate? Trisha SAHM to 3 boys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2001 Report Share Posted May 12, 2001 I don't do party bags in the usual sense. I get the bags, put in party cake and a balloon, plus a book. No plastic, no keeping-up-with-the-es, and the parents are usually very impressed and not a little grateful that they haven't got to find homes for/cope with a myriad of little plastic tat items. I buy the books from www.thebookpeople.co.uk (I think), where you can get packs of books for ridiculous prices. Some I have purchased have consisted of 12 classics (such as The Secret Garden, etc.) for £8.99. At less than £1 per book, I'm on a winner. These sorts of books are probably not of much interest to children your daughter's age, but they do other packs appropriate to different ages. Alison BTW, is anyone else fed up with the idea of party bags and the " bigger and better " competition that goes on between mummies now? DH said we ought to just say we are donating the money we spent to our little girl that we sponsor in Burkino Faso which I would love to do as I bet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2001 Report Share Posted May 12, 2001 What a great idea Francesca. I think party bags are the biggest waste of time & money, the contents always end up in the bin - even the cake doesn't get eaten in this house. My 2 would be happy with a balloon to take away from a party. Go for it, the mums may comment but the children won't even notice. Cerys -----Original Message----- DH said we ought to just say we are donating the money we spent to our little girl that we sponsor in Burkino Faso which I would love to do as I bet every child that is coming has tons of plastic rubbish that they never even play with and does not need anymore BUT I don't want to make DD1 stick out. Has anyone else been brave enough to do something similar? Francesca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2001 Report Share Posted May 12, 2001 Francesca wrote > BTW, is anyone else fed up with the idea of party bags and the " bigger > and better " competition that goes on between mummies now? > > Completely and utterly (the competition aspect) especially as it seems to detract from the real value of having fun for the children to them being aware of their party needing to be 'better' - even very young they seem to pick up on it - I think there are some *nice* and cheap pressies to be had from Hawkins Bazaar's catalogue (we got a nice little wooden teddy for £2 recently) which is well worth getting anyway just for the loony copy alone. Also does some lovely traditional toys, as well as items of general lunacy so necessary for balanced childhoods... . www.hawkin.co.uk Phone 01986-782536 I saw a photo of a 4yo at his Robin Hood birthday party - what are peoples' views on getting children this young to dress up for parties - don't they find it all a bit more overwhelming than normally? The idea sounds really good fun for older children I thought ... Caro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2001 Report Share Posted May 12, 2001 We have always had our children's parties in the Park, been lucky with the weather over the years! We invite everyone along, ask them to bring along food and drink and we don't give out any party bags or such like. Don't know what people make of us but I think they find it relaxing because it's so informal and 'laid back', they can arrive when they want, leave when they want, loads of space etc., perhaps the kids grumble about not having party bags? I don't know. We don't have all the stress or the tidying up to do *and* most importantly our children seem to love it, early years and later ) Don't know what we're going to do for the next baby - due in September - ugh weather could be a problem - ummmmm - I feel a marquee coming on ........ wonder if the local Parks will have a problem with that? Jenni (& Gethyn) 16.5yrs, Mari 3yrs (HB), Babi Bach exp.09/2001 > Just spent the last three hours buttering and filling little rolls, > blowing up balloons, filling party bags, hunting for plastic plates > etc etc etc - DD1 |(the stubborn Taurean) will be three on Monday and > is having her party tomorrow - I have 13 two and three year olds > descending (hopefully with at least one parent each in tow!) for two > hours tomorrow with at least three year old or so siblings! Am I mad? > Think of me you lot between 2pm and 4pm tomorrow! > > BTW, is anyone else fed up with the idea of party bags and the " bigger > and better " competition that goes on between mummies now? DH said we > ought to just say we are donating the money we spent to our little > girl that we sponsor in Burkino Faso which I would love to do as I bet > every child that is coming has tons of plastic rubbish that they never > even play with and does not need anymore BUT I don't want to make DD1 > stick out. Has anyone else been brave enough to do something similar? > > > Francesca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2001 Report Share Posted May 12, 2001 We have always had our children's parties in the Park, been lucky with the weather over the years! We invite everyone along, ask them to bring along food and drink and we don't give out any party bags or such like. Don't know what people make of us but I think they find it relaxing because it's so informal and 'laid back', they can arrive when they want, leave when they want, loads of space etc., perhaps the kids grumble about not having party bags? I don't know. We don't have all the stress or the tidying up to do *and* most importantly our children seem to love it, early years and later ) Don't know what we're going to do for the next baby - due in September - ugh weather could be a problem - ummmmm - I feel a marquee coming on ........ wonder if the local Parks will have a problem with that? Jenni (& Gethyn) 16.5yrs, Mari 3yrs (HB), Babi Bach exp.09/2001 > Just spent the last three hours buttering and filling little rolls, > blowing up balloons, filling party bags, hunting for plastic plates > etc etc etc - DD1 |(the stubborn Taurean) will be three on Monday and > is having her party tomorrow - I have 13 two and three year olds > descending (hopefully with at least one parent each in tow!) for two > hours tomorrow with at least three year old or so siblings! Am I mad? > Think of me you lot between 2pm and 4pm tomorrow! > > BTW, is anyone else fed up with the idea of party bags and the " bigger > and better " competition that goes on between mummies now? DH said we > ought to just say we are donating the money we spent to our little > girl that we sponsor in Burkino Faso which I would love to do as I bet > every child that is coming has tons of plastic rubbish that they never > even play with and does not need anymore BUT I don't want to make DD1 > stick out. Has anyone else been brave enough to do something similar? > > > Francesca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2001 Report Share Posted May 12, 2001 We have always had our children's parties in the Park, been lucky with the weather over the years! We invite everyone along, ask them to bring along food and drink and we don't give out any party bags or such like. Don't know what people make of us but I think they find it relaxing because it's so informal and 'laid back', they can arrive when they want, leave when they want, loads of space etc., perhaps the kids grumble about not having party bags? I don't know. We don't have all the stress or the tidying up to do *and* most importantly our children seem to love it, early years and later ) Don't know what we're going to do for the next baby - due in September - ugh weather could be a problem - ummmmm - I feel a marquee coming on ........ wonder if the local Parks will have a problem with that? Jenni (& Gethyn) 16.5yrs, Mari 3yrs (HB), Babi Bach exp.09/2001 > Just spent the last three hours buttering and filling little rolls, > blowing up balloons, filling party bags, hunting for plastic plates > etc etc etc - DD1 |(the stubborn Taurean) will be three on Monday and > is having her party tomorrow - I have 13 two and three year olds > descending (hopefully with at least one parent each in tow!) for two > hours tomorrow with at least three year old or so siblings! Am I mad? > Think of me you lot between 2pm and 4pm tomorrow! > > BTW, is anyone else fed up with the idea of party bags and the " bigger > and better " competition that goes on between mummies now? DH said we > ought to just say we are donating the money we spent to our little > girl that we sponsor in Burkino Faso which I would love to do as I bet > every child that is coming has tons of plastic rubbish that they never > even play with and does not need anymore BUT I don't want to make DD1 > stick out. Has anyone else been brave enough to do something similar? > > > Francesca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2001 Report Share Posted May 12, 2001 > Francesca wrote > > BTW, is anyone else fed up with the idea of party bags and > the " bigger > > and better " competition that goes on between mummies now? > I still cringe at an incident when I was about 5 or 6 and went to a party whose parents were obviously uninitiated in the ritual of what was then (1950's) known as the " going home present " . At the end of the party I stood waiting for my present, when none seemed forthcoming, I loudly asked where it was. The embarrassed father of the birthday girl put a hand in his pocket and gave me a threepenny bit! Ruthie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2001 Report Share Posted May 13, 2001 My bugbear is the cake to take away! have often found solid lumps in the DDs bedrooms months later....... here the cake is eaten at our house, or not at all! JM2p. At one party, I had a cork board with bags (free paper ones from WW pick& mix, with a clown`s face on) with names on, each fastened on by a drawing pin - when someone won a game, the prize went in the bag so they had made uptheir own party bags! Prizes were stickers/wrapped sweets/small ball/pencils/20p notebooks... A friend gave away comics at the end of one party, that was v popular! Books sounds a good idea, as Alison does. With 3+s, I used to draw or trace a picture to colour in,e.g. a Barbie with a big dress & pattern to colour in, with 'Welcome to xxx`s party' in bubble writing on it & photocopy one per child. sometimes one or all just wanted some 'down time' so they could sit & colour it in, if not, they could take home. Have a brill day , HTH Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2001 Report Share Posted May 13, 2001 Jenni wrote: > Don't know what we're going to do for the next baby - due in September - ugh > weather could be a problem - ummmmm - I feel a marquee coming on ......... > wonder if the local Parks will have a problem with that? Love the idea of the outdoor party but Steffi's a December baby which is find Down Under but not great when in the Northern Hemisphere When we wanted to do a fundraiser in the park they charged something like 35 quid to guarantee a space but since you will just be having an informal meeting of friends... On one of the Home and Garden progs here they made an excleent outdoor entertaining area for just such occasions. Used some long thick pieces of dowelling, sailcloth, rings, etc. Can't remember exactly what they did but it was fantastic. I'll try and find it on the web. They used trestle tables covered with bright cloth and to weight the cloths down used long pieces of a contrasting fabric about 4 inches wide which had a pocket sewn in each end. In each pocket went a large stone and then these were placed across the table. -- Sue Melbourne, Oz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2001 Report Share Posted May 13, 2001 Jenni Both of mine are latter part of September babes - the weather for past 12 years around that time, before and after, has been that wonderful mellow ripe sort of sunshine - excellent for park birthdays - it's a perfect time to sprog because of connotations of ripeness and fruit (purple prose, or what?!), harvest festivals, and celebratory sunshine, IMHO.... Caro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2001 Report Share Posted May 13, 2001 My friend tried to give Barbie goody bags to her 7 year olds girl invitees and was turned down flat!!! I would have died if mine turned their nose up at anything but most of the Mums present didn't seem to be bothered. DD did rather well out of it though, she loves Barbie. Mc SAHM 6, Olivia 3, 2, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2001 Report Share Posted May 13, 2001 >I saw a photo of a 4yo at his Robin Hood birthday party - what are >peoples' views on getting children this young to dress up for >parties - don't they find it all a bit more overwhelming than >normally? The idea sounds really good fun for older children I >thought ... My 3 1/2 year old will not dress up and will not have his face [aonted, so if he was invited to a fancy dress party he'd just have to go as himself. Newsletter Editor, Leighton Buzzard & District NCT SAHM to 19/9/97 and Caitlin 12/1/00. Photo Album http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=697874&a=11513591 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2001 Report Share Posted May 13, 2001 >I saw a photo of a 4yo at his Robin Hood birthday party - what are >peoples' views on getting children this young to dress up for >parties - don't they find it all a bit more overwhelming than >normally? The idea sounds really good fun for older children I >thought ... My 3 1/2 year old will not dress up and will not have his face [aonted, so if he was invited to a fancy dress party he'd just have to go as himself. Newsletter Editor, Leighton Buzzard & District NCT SAHM to 19/9/97 and Caitlin 12/1/00. Photo Album http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=697874&a=11513591 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2001 Report Share Posted May 13, 2001 >My 3 1/2 year old will not dress up and will not have his face [aonted, so >if he was invited to a fancy dress party he'd just have to go as himself. I meant painted (I've got a new keyboard and the keys are slightly bigger, hence typos. Can you tell I don't touch type?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2001 Report Share Posted May 13, 2001 >My 3 1/2 year old will not dress up and will not have his face [aonted, so >if he was invited to a fancy dress party he'd just have to go as himself. I meant painted (I've got a new keyboard and the keys are slightly bigger, hence typos. Can you tell I don't touch type?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2001 Report Share Posted May 13, 2001 I didn't really want to do bags but succumbed and in the end I did craft bags, coloured paper, sticky shapes, glue stick, paint brush, couple of crayons/chalk. Seemed to go down really well. > My 2 would be happy with a balloon to take away > from a party. > Cerys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2001 Report Share Posted May 13, 2001 > Caro wrote > Both of mine are latter part of September babes - the weather for past > 12 years around that time, before and after, has been that wonderful > mellow ripe sort of sunshine - excellent for park birthdays - it's a > perfect time to sprog because of connotations of ripeness and fruit > (purple prose, or what?!), harvest festivals, and celebratory > sunshine, IMHO.... Caro. I have been feeling a bit down about having to be pregnant all through the Summer. I usually camp for two months with no facilities in a remote valley and it just isn't practical when I'm heavily pregnant I will still go camping but somewhere nearer to 'civilization' - I'll miss 'my Valley' really badly. I haven't been too keen on the idea of a 'Winter' babi but I forget that it's a really nice time of year. I guess I associate September with returning to the City, to school, to normality ... So ... thanks for the interesting thoughts ... I *must* be more positive ... I *must* be more positive ... I *must* be more positive ... ) Jenni (& Gethyn) 16.5yrs, Mari 3yrs (HB), Babi Bach exp.09/2001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2001 Report Share Posted May 13, 2001 > Sue wrote: > On one of the Home and Garden progs here they made an excleent outdoor > entertaining area for just such occasions ... I'll try and find it on the web. > Thanks Sue - sounds brilliant - love more details if you can find them Jenni (& Gethyn) 16.5yrs, Mari 3yrs (HB), Babi Bach exp.09/2001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2001 Report Share Posted May 14, 2001 > > BTW, is anyone else fed up with the idea of party bags and the " bigger > and better " competition that goes on between mummies now? DH said we > ought to just say we are donating the money we spent to our little > girl that we sponsor in Burkino Faso which I would love to do as I bet > every child that is coming has tons of plastic rubbish that they never > even play with and does not need anymore BUT I don't want to make DD1 > stick out. Has anyone else been brave enough to do something similar?<< Haven't been brave enough to entirely do away with " party bags " but for DS3 who was 3 last week, I just bought those bubble packs from the Early Learning Centre. They cost £2.00 each and contain a big bottle of bubbles, a little cup and a blower. As he he had 5 friends coming it did cost me £10 but I figure you end up spending a fortune anyway by the time you've bought the bag, toys, sweets etc to go in them. Anyhow, all the mums said what a brilliant idea as they certainly didn't want to go off weighed down with bitty toys and sweets, balloons etc anyway. Another thing I did when my then 7 year old daughter had her last party (stop at that age in this house) was to have a craft party where they all painted a little ornament and made a paper box each to put it in and stamp it and then made their own paper party bags. So they were just taking home what they had just made. Lorraine, Mum to 10, Natasha 8, 5, ph 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2001 Report Share Posted May 14, 2001 > My friend tried to give Barbie goody bags to her 7 year olds girl invitees and was turned down flat!!! > > I would have died if mine turned their nose up at anything but most of the Mums present didn't seem to be bothered.<< My 8 year old has been off Barbie for over a year now, but she wouldn't DARE refuse something like that. How totally rude! I can't believe the mums didn't say anything. Lorraine Mum to 10, Natasha 8, 5, ph 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2001 Report Share Posted May 14, 2001 > My 3 1/2 year old will not dress up and will not have his face [aonted, so > if he was invited to a fancy dress party he'd just have to go as himself.<< My now 10 year old was very like this - remember going to a fancy dress when he was about 5 so I just put him in jeans and a checked shirt and pretended he was a builder. He has never ever gone through the wanting to dress up stage, and now age 10 he says he doesn't really see the point. Lorraine Mum to thomas 10, Natasha 8, 5, ph 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2001 Report Share Posted May 14, 2001 >> > BTW, is anyone else fed up with the idea of party bags and the > " bigger >> and better " competition that goes on between mummies now? The other thing is he taking in of sweets and chocolate to school/nursery when it's a child's birthday. I didn't even know about this practice until I read about it on this list, but sure enough, every now and again comes out of nursery with choccy buttons or something, because someone had a birthday. Now I don't personally have any objection to my children having sweets/chocolate, but I know many parents do, and meanwhile I object to feeling under obligation to provide sweeties for all on the occasion of one of my children's birthdays. I know that some schools are banning the practice. When we were children, it was a big enough treat just to go up in assembly and display your cards and have happy birthday sung to you. I think I'm going to make a stand and be a miserable old cow and *not* do it when has his birthday in September! Newsletter Editor, Leighton Buzzard & District NCT SAHM to 19/9/97 and Caitlin 12/1/00. Photo Album http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=697874&a=11513591 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2001 Report Share Posted May 14, 2001 >Just spent the last three hours buttering and filling little rolls, >blowing up balloons, filling party bags, hunting for plastic plates >etc etc etc - DD1 |(the stubborn Taurean) will be three on Monday and >is having her party tomorrow - I have 13 two and three year olds >descending (hopefully with at least one parent each in tow!) for two >hours tomorrow with at least three year old or so siblings! Am I mad? >Think of me you lot between 2pm and 4pm tomorrow! I had thought that DS1 would appreciate some friends round for his 3rd birthday - but, sniff, no-one could come nor seemed very interested in coming (you know we had that discussion a while back about children with every waking minute programmed... don't get me started, DS1s best friend in theory has two days when he isn't at nursery so his Mum can spend time with him - but can they fit in any time to see him between swimming and music and tumble tots...no. He isn't 3 yet and he can't skip a session of anything (unless he falls asleep!) So, we had just had DHs aunt for the day, plus the usual party ware (see www.vaudin.net) He had a lovely time and we could be pretty spontaneous about it all (eg we went off into town to spend his birthday money - though the bomb scare that put the kybosh on that is another story...) Didn't even have to provide a party bag for DHs aunt as she is diabetic and doesn't eat cake. -- jennifer@... Vaudin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2001 Report Share Posted May 14, 2001 > The other thing is he taking in of sweets and chocolate to school/nursery > when it's a child's birthday. I didn't even know about this practice until > I read about it on this list, but sure enough, every now and again > comes out of nursery with choccy buttons or something, because > someone had a birthday. Now I don't personally have any objection to my > children having sweets/chocolate, but I know many parents do, and meanwhile > I object to feeling under obligation to provide sweeties for all on the > occasion of one of my children's birthdays. I know that some schools are > banning the practice. When we were children, it was a big enough treat just > to go up in assembly and display your cards and have happy birthday sung to > you. I think I'm going to make a stand and be a miserable old cow and *not* > do it when has his birthday in September!<< I am already a " miserable old cow " because I never have sent sweets in on my kids birthdays. It is just something I don't want to get into. There are so many kids in the class anyway that none of the other mums would notice if you didn't. Two of my kids always have birthdays in the holidays anyhow so it isn't really too much of an issue. Lorraine Mum to 10, Natasha 8, 5, ph 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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