Childrens Birthday Party - questions & ideas (merged)

Rachie_B

i wouldnt worry too much

some dont bother with bags and just give a piece of cake,sml pkt of sweets and a balloon

i wouldnt go to huge expense esp if you are providing food aswell

1012donna

I had my daughters fifth birthday party last week and I know what it's like some people didn't even have the decency to say whether they were coming or not. In my opinion that's just plain rude. I put a slice of birthday cake, hair bobbles and bracelets for girls, car/kaliedoscope for boys, a mini mars bar, packet of haribo, glowstick, 6 crayons - all of which were bought from the pound shop. I bunched the bobbles and crayons and tied them with curly ribbon to make them look pretty. We are lucky as we live near the Kinnerton chocolate factory so they all got a bunnykins eggcup with a chocolate egg in and a large white chocolate chick lolly. The bags probably didn't cost over £1 each to make up. This year I also gave all the kids a party box rather than putting the food on plates as last year some kids piled food on their plates and it got wasted. In the boxes they had 2 sandwiches, sausage roll, chicken nuggets, chipolatas and some crisps. We then left it 45 minutes and did the birthday cake and then they all had some muffins and crispy cakes. We had a pulina which they all thoroughly enjoyed so I'd keep this in mind if you're struggling for party games.
Good luck and have a fab party!!!!!

TIGs

Poundland is the best place to go, you don't say if its a girl or a boy but they have cards or hairslides that are cheap, what about buying a fancy beaker and putting a small packet of sweets in it? or a fancy straw? balloons? party blowers,streamers?

What about going to your local market they always have cheap sweet stalls, buy some tissue paper and making little parcels with sweets in? or little packs of haribos.

My freind once put in bath fizzers, she didn't think till everyone had gone that she hadn't told them they weren't sweets. There were a few kids frothing at the mouth

Bargainbabe_2

I had the pleasure of hosting my son's 6th Birthday teaparty recently. To avoid the extra stress, I bought mine off eBay pre-filled. I bought from this lady and the contents where excellent for the price I paid (99p per bag). She also offers combined postage! It so was brilliant to not have to worry about what I was going to put in them!

http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZjane2674QQhtZ-1

Also see here:

purplepurple

I'm a real fan of Baker Ross for bits to go in goody bags... they sell stuff in pks of 12 or 24 which makes it easier to buy in bulk more cheaply.... for my DD's party this year I'm going to give them a flashing star pendant each... by the time you've bought lots of little things, it adds up to less than the price of these...

sammysmum

I was going to recommend Baker Ross as well Purplepurple!! They are excellent and have a huge ranger of arts and craft things. If you want to go a little healthier on the snack front as well, try small boxes of raisens or dried apricots. Asda do a good range of them for kiddies.

littlechezza

Can I just ask 1012donna, this has nothing to do with money saving but did people eventually turn up to the party, I know I should make loads of party bags but would it be a waste of money if people aren't replying, it's at a leisure centre and we've hired somebody to do face painting so would be a waste if only 5 out of the 30 turn up, I didn't realise a 5 year olds party could be so stressfull

1012donna

We ended up with 3 not replying and they didn't turn up. I had done food boxes and party bags just incase. But like you said you then have extra left over nad it is a waste of money.

Peakma

I usually do party bags for all kids invited,because there all ways seem to be a few who don't reply,and it's just easie rto know your numbers,it's also nice for the kids who can't make it to the party to still get a little treat.My son was six last month and two of the children who said they couldn't come,still bought him a pressie and gave it him after school next day,I felt a little better accepting it(feels a bit cheeky really),being able to give them a party bag in return.I usually just get stuff from poundland in multiple packs and split them up (pens,animals,bubbles,stickers etc)I buy these when I see good deals and save them in my party box(Ihave 3 kids)because when you actually have to go find things there never seems to be anything good.I usually add chocolate coins,special balloons,mini choc bars etc.and the ever important piece of cake.

elisebutt65

:mad: oooh - that is a bugbear of mine.

A couple of years ago I got a verbal message from one of the lads inviuted and he said he couldn't come as he had football.

So I got all the bags ready - I personlaised them all as I knoew most of thie kids - little plastic dogs for dog lovers and robots for the gadget boys etc and they were all named and then sealed.

Mornong of the party I get a phone call from the mum; 'Can he come now as it's raining and his footballs been cancelled'

Sorry but I was ever so nearly rude to her!!! I just told her - sorry restaurant tables been booked and I can't add to the booking.

It was just like - there's nothing better to do so we'll go to the party :mad: