Whats is it about needing to give the kids who come to my son's birthday party their own "gift bags?"

You may think that it's dumb but the kidsl ove it. Even though yuor little boy is in the 3rd grade now it doesn't mean him and his freinds dont love free candy and toys. The must have in gift bags are balloons, candy, blowouts, finger puppets, stickers, rings, whistles, and crazy straws. You should also look into getting a pinata. I think the kids would love it.

I agree with you 100%!! I hate them!! When my daughter turned 4 (she's 6 now) I spent more time and money getting and filling these dumb goodie bags with crap from the dollar store - it was ridiculous. When she was 5 she had a small "girl" party with just a few close friends, so I got them nicer things since there was just a few girls. But it's still annoying.

My daughter actually looks forward to getting a goodie bag when she goes to a party - she loves all that cheap junk - stickers, pencils, plastic rings, etc..

Maybe instead of getting gift bags you could get a pinata and some empty bags and whatever junk they get from the pinata and fill there bag up with is there's to take home.

I don't think it's necessary to give them at parties, but not sure if any of the kids would make any mean comments about not getting one.

Good luck!

You don't have to do it. But when kids are younger it's nice to do it just because the kids will think it's cool and they will be able to take a little something home with them from your son's party. You can put together the gift bags pretty cheap. I did gift bags for my aunt's son and we got all the supplies at Wal Mart for about $20 (for about 15 kids).

I have noticed it to actually and thought, like it isn't expensive enough nowadays to throw a party for your child and now I have to buy presents for the participants. Isn't food, games and candy from the pinata enough?

Well at my daughters birthday I decided to throw a very small celebration inviting only three of her very best friends for dinner and a movie and yes I gave in and bought them small gift bags. Luckily Target had some really cute girl things for just a dollar each.

Well its just like many other parties...think about it, when you go to a wedding or baby shower you usually get favors/ gift bags, so its the same concept, to thank the guests for coming. You dont have to do it, the kids wont think twice.

I think it's become just a way of getting the kids to get their stuff together and get going. Sort of a bribe to get them on their way!

They really do like the cheap little stuff when they are smaller, but as they are getting older, I'm seeing things like $5.00 gift cards for Chapters, or movie matinee passes instead. Neat ideas, but no, I don't find them at all necessary.

i don't do it at all its not really dumb because the kids might feel left out but i don't and won't do it because its their choice if they come we are supply the food cake and all that stuff it gets to expeinsive to do gift bags i spent over200.00 on party alone last year with no gift bags

Do you mean goody bags? I did it for years but the toys are junky and a waste of money. I do a pinata nowadays. The kids have fun and the candy is the goody bag they bring home.

it is kinda dumb, but just make them cheap. balloons are cheap, get those big bags of mini reeses or hershey kisses and put a couple in each bag they have cheap little toys in the birthday section that are made just for gift bags and decorative bags to put stuff in. its not a necessity, but you can make them cheap and they are fun too.

it is annoying... i usully tie a few balloons together and send them home with that and a piece of cake....

otherwise... a good idea is those rubber snakes, spiders, bugs.... you can usually get them in a big bag for next to nothing and each child gets to pick a bug to take home... usually cheaper to do this

but never feel you have to compete or outdo anyone else... always do what you want to do...

even a 'special' going home cupcake with some smarties on top would be cool