To describe my feelings about birthday party goody bags as mixed would be an understatement. Honestly, I don’t want my children to leave a party with the expectation of receiving a reward or gift. They are there to honor their friend, not to collect prizes.
As a mother who is not particularly crafty and struggles with Pinterest, goody bags are a source of unnecessary stress. While I admire those creative moms who enjoy making elaborate bags, I find the pressure to create something memorable quite daunting. I simply don’t want to spend time assembling themed favors for a birthday party when I could be focusing on what truly matters: the celebration itself.
Moreover, the contents of these bags often leave much to be desired. Typically, they are filled with trinkets that are not only low-quality but could also pose safety risks for young children. More often than not, these items will be discarded or forgotten by the time we leave the venue.
So it’s no surprise that I’m not a fan of goody bags. However, I do want to create enjoyable experiences for my kids and their friends. If that means including treat bags at the end of a party, I’ll do it—especially when someone else is handling it for me.
Last weekend, during my daughter’s 6th birthday celebration, I had the luxury of renting a play space that took care of everything, including goody bags. All I needed to do was provide the party theme and the number of guests, and they managed the rest.
The party was primarily for girls, but my 10-year-old son and a couple of his friends were also there. When I provided the head count, the event manager assured me they would prepare separate bags for the boys. On the day of the party, another mother asked if her daughter could join since she couldn’t find a babysitter. I welcomed her but cautioned that I couldn’t guarantee a goody bag due to the head count I had submitted earlier. She reassured me that her daughter would be fine without one.
However, when the time came to distribute the bags, her daughter burst into tears, expressing her desire for the boys’ goodies instead. I found her reaction quite unreasonable since it was her sister who was invited, but I calmly explained that the bags had already been prepared. Her sobbing only ceased when her younger sister mentioned she chose not to take a bag because she didn’t like the contents.
At that moment, I decided I was done with goody bags. They foster unreasonable expectations and can lead to behavior issues among children. I’m over the plastic toys and themed pencils that will inevitably be lost before we even get home.
So, I’ve made the decision: no more goody bags at my children’s parties. Some kids may be disappointed, but I believe it’s time for them to find something else to complain about. After all, the appropriate response when receiving a gift simply for attending is “Thank you!”
In conclusion, while I prioritize creating enjoyable birthday parties, I will not perpetuate the expectation of receiving goody bags. Instead, let’s focus on celebrating friendships and creating lasting memories.
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Keyphrase: No More Goody Bags
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