Tearing my hair out over housekeeping

**purpleprincess**

Don't get sucked into "keeping up with the Joneses"!!!!!!! You can get great pressies for gifts bags from the pound shop! And after all, they'll only play with them for a bit then that toy will be forgotten!!

garret1

You're right of course. if I had my way I'd ban party bags as it's just another form of the game "who's the bestest mummy" which I hate. Also whats with this thing of hundreds of prizes at parties. When I was a lass (hovis moment) you got a prize for winning pass the parcel, musical chairs etc. At the last kids party I was at the children just had to look in the general direction of the hostess to be given a sweet!!!

calleyw

If I was you for party bags bung in a piece of wrapped birthday cake, a ballon and cheap toy or some crayons or colouring pencils. Most children get so much stuff and don't remember of care.

I think the problem is that most parents would love to break out of the whole party bag thing. But don't dare or have the courage to.

When I was brought up it was only the birthday boy/girl that got a presents and if you won something on the games all well and good. And we all went home tired and stuffed full of jelly, ice cream and cake. And normally another piece of cake to take home wrapped in a paper serviettes.

How times have changed. I am sad I can even still remember a couple of birthday presents I got when I had the occasional party. One was a comb and mirror that fitted in a little case with Minney mouse on and the handles of the comb and mirror where her ears. And a little bag that was denim and had a cut out rabbit stuck on the front.


Yours


Calley

garret1

I remember stuff too... We didn't get so much so we definitely appreciated it more. I'm going to concentrate on giving the kids a great time at the party instead.

outrageous_monkey

Afternoon Garret

Glad your feeling a bit better today. I guess your pretty cream crackered now, if you have been up 24 hrs .


Just had a thought about this

garret1 wrote:

Thanks for the advice. Have just got to grips with ditital camera so am trying to thinks of gifts for the teachers using pics of the kids!

My mum has just got to grips with her digital camera, anyway, with the software that came with it, she could make up calenders and add the pics in. Maybe the teacher would like that??? I dont know what software you have, but its a thought.

I agree with calleyw as for what to put in party bags. Just stick with a couple of simple things. And I bet you find, that at the next lot of parties other mums will have followed your example.

HTH

Julie Xxx

black-saturn

Have you tried online shopping at Tesco? I know they charge £3.99 for the delivery but I have found that I can stick to a list by doing it that way and am not tempted by anything else I might see in the shop so therefore end up sticking to my budget.

You could also have a look at my menu planner:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=157526&highlight=black-saturns+menu

Pink.

Hi garret1

I saw some party bag fillers, whistles, yo yo's etc in Tesco last week that cost about £1 for 5. Or if the children will all be moving up to primary school next year, how about something for their pencil case? I never give them any cake at the party and always wrap a slice in a napkin to help fill out the party bag. As others have said, don't try to keep up with the mummy's who set out to turn party bags into a competition. After all who ever remembers what they got in a party bag.

The replies to some of these older threads might help you too:

Advice On The Ultimate OS Party For DD!!

Childrens b/day parties OS or not?

Birthday Party

Pink

saving-grace

garret1 wrote:

Have just got to grips with ditital camera so am trying to thinks of gifts for the teachers using pics of the kids!

Good idea! I have several friends/family members who are teachers and they all have more chocolates and toiletries than they know what to do with!

garret1

Thanks for the advice. unfortunately tesco don't deliver here. will just keep trying to resist temptation

Poppy9

Great buy in Tesco which you could use instead of party bags are plastic skipping ropes that attach to the hose pipe. As you skip it sprays water on you!!! Only 21p each. I bought a load as prizes for school fete. I also bought in Tesco Orange/Pink frissbees which were BOGOF at 47p. If you gave these as a gift at the end of the party with a piece of cake you wouldn't need to buy bags or give some sweets.