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Strollerderby
12 Alternatives to Earth Crushing, Wallet Emptying, Soul Destroying Goody Bags
If this goody bag route makes you queasy, we've got some alternatives!
Somehow, the birthday party gift bag has become as standard as a cake and candles. I swear, I SWEAR, we never got them back in the dark ages when I was a kid. But today? It’s an act of defiance to opt out. Which is not to say I don’t encourage that. Even if it’s a bunch of cheap crap, the cost still adds up. And it’s cheap crap! Or candy. Or just another thing to step on in the middle of the night.
But if you can’t bring yourself to send guests off with a quick wave and a swift kick in the pants, here are 12 ways to say “thank you” with stuff — stuff that the guests will like, the parents won’t hate and that, for the most part, would get an environmental stamp of approval.
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3 Comments
elizabeth commented on Sep 16 11 at 11:28 amAbsolutely not a fan of goodie bags! My daughter’s b-day is the week before Christmas and here’s what we do…part of the party (which is always in-house) involves some sort of project. 1 year (4 year olds) they all decorated christmas cookies and the kids took their cookies home and the next year (5 year olds) I found a great deal on small canvas christmas ornaments – and they decorated/painted those and took them home! I think we’ll take a break on the kid-party this year, so we’ll see what’s up for the 7th b-day next year.
Andrea commented on Sep 16 11 at 2:08 pmWe usually give art supplies. A box of crayons or markers or a book of construction paper usually doesn’t go wrong and doesn’t cost a lot either.
Becky commented on Sep 16 11 at 4:48 pm“Let the guests decorate brown paper bags and then fill them with fallen leaves, acorns, tree bark or dandelions.” And then laugh maniacally at the thought of what all those parents will do when their little angels get home nd immediately dump their bags of dirt, rocks and animal remains in the middle of the living room floor.
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