Just good old fun, a bit of food, cake, friends, and no goodie bags/loot bags that have come to be expected by the children attending. You go to a birthday party to celebrate the birthday boy/girl or both in this case and bring a present for them. Not to get one for yourself. Where are things going here? So Stacey and I decided to take back the parties from the days of old- our days of old that is.
When I was preparing for our children's party I was thrilled that I found really neat bags and trinkets (which ultimately get pitched anyway because our houses are too full of junk). These things were in the dollar section at Target so I was pretty thrilled. I figured on fourteen of those for each girl (which was probably way over) but after the bag and two items in the bag that's 3 things times 28 children at a dollar each. Do the math. Then for Mason I found these really cool bags in the same section, a velcro wallet, and tattoos that were all either Batman or Superman. Figure 12 boys at 3 items 1 dollar each. Do the math. It was then that I declared a moratorium on goodie bags. I told Stacey that I was returning the stuff, even though I had already shown it to the kids and they were thrilled with my choices. I went back and received in the ballpark of $97. That's not including plates, utensils, cups, food, and ingredients to make the cakes.
So Stacey did the same minimalistic kind of party except for one thing. She bought T shirts for the children to decorate with fabric markers. They loved the activity and they will have something to keep for a while! I did something different. With the money back, I got vinyl bags for the girls to decorate with craft paint and wooden vehicle models at a dollar a piece for the boys to build (all planned to be done at the party). The thing was, they were having too much fun playing and I never touched the bag, so that stuff will be going back too and more money back into the account. Very Good!
Last night, two weeks after his party, Mason asked why I never gave him the Batman bag. I said I just decided not to because it was a lot of money to get all those for his friends. He said, "ok". Madison still hasn't noticed that the goodies never showed up for the party. :)
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3 comments:
My poor kids aren't even going to get yearly birthday parties. I haven't come up with a plan yet, but it won't be every year. And definitely no goody bags. PS. your kids presents are in my van.
I havent done goody bags their last 2 parties. I hate goody bags.
AMEN SISTER FRIEND!!
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