Time-critical B-day Party question -- goody bags for a "no presents" party?

[beanma]

Soooo, I really feel like I should know what to do here since I've been around this block more than once, but here I am yet again second-guessing myself. 

DD2 is having her 8th b-day party this Sunday. I just am not a birthday party mama. However, we're having it at the indoor pool (we're paying for all guests) and so it's pretty easy and low-key. The kids will swim first and then we'll convene in a conference room for cupcakes and drinks. It's from 1:00-3:30. We have specified no presents. Would you do goody bags also? I hate useless plastic crap (my house is overrun with it), but I don't want to disappoint kids if they're expecting them. In the past we've burned a CD of favorite songs for kids, so could do that again. 

Thoughts?

Edited by beanma - 11/25/11 at 8:54am

[Imakcerka]

Oh it's tomorrow... well, I guess I would send them away with something small and thoughtful.  Could you do pictures?  Do you have a polaroid? 

[tbone_kneegrabber]

i have definitely been to and had "no-gift" parties that included goody bags.  I love the idea of a CD with favorite songs.  Your dd could draw a picture and you could copy/scan it for all the cases "Thanks for coming to my party" kinda deal.

[beanma]

Oh, shoot I did say Saturday. No it's actually Sunday, so that gives me another day to work with. I'll edit my OP.

[beanma]

I didn't even know they still made Polaroids! I do have a camera, but not a Polaroid.

I guess I should do something, huh? We have a nice little local Balloons & Tunes store that has plenty of goody bag junk. I guess I could make a run by there and fill some bags with stuff. Or maybe we'll do the CD. Maybe a CD and a balloon? Balloons are very festive.

WHY did I have this child right after Thanksgiving? Every year it's back-to-back bam! bam! And then Christmas, too. And DH's b-day and then  Dd1's in Feb. I love March...

[Imakcerka]

Oh geez mama!  I had one due before thanksgiving she held out til Dec 4th.  We're doing pump it up and I've asked them to go small on the gifts.  Books please and half priced is the best option!  I don't want anyone feeling as though they have to spend anything!  We're going to make something for her goody bag.  Off to the hobby store!

[Polliwog]

I wouldn't do goody bags. I didn't when I had DS's party there and no one noticed or cared.

Have fun! It's a great place to have a party. No fuss, no muss. And the water's warm.

[beanma]

Y'know, the pitiful thing is, we've had two other parties there and I can't remember if we did goody bags or not!! Getting old's a b!tch. 

[Polliwog]

I hear ya. I'm in the old boat with you.

I don't really think it matters. If you give them, great. If not, that's great, too. There's so much going on with the swimming, the changing, and then going into the meeting room, that I don't think it's a bid deal either way. You might want to check out that little store in the mall. They might have something small that would be neat to give out. At least, my kids usually find some little thing that doesn't cost much but isn't junk.

[beanma]

Are you talking about Katie-Beth's, Polliwog? That's an idea—lovely store. I'm actually trying to keep my dd2 from going to the mall, though, because she really wants to check out the 7th Ivy & Bean book from the library and my mom is giving it to her for her birthday.

I really think we didn't do goody bags last time (it was a few years ago) and it was fine. This year, though, she's in a different school with different kids and I'm just not sure of the expectations. Last year we had it at the paint your own pottery place and the pottery was the take-home gift. I think I will get some balloons for decorations and get enough to giveaway. She went to a party recently that had those punching balloons and she really liked those so maybe I'll do those and see what else is in the store. 

[Polliwog]

Yep, that's it. I knew there was a K.B. in there somewhere but couldn't remember the rest. And of course, I was referring to the gag-inducing "My Fairy Godmother" that they moved from the other end of the mall.

Punching balloons are fun.

[Hoopin' Mama]

How about snack treat bags? That's easy and consumable and kids are so hungry after swimming. IME, kids never eat enough at the party. Have fun!

[pianojazzgirl]

Originally Posted by Hoopin' Mama 

How about snack treat bags? That's easy and consumable and kids are so hungry after swimming. IME, kids never eat enough at the party. Have fun!

I think that would be a great idea.  *If* you had time (big if!) you could bake cookies or some other sweet treat, and/or give a bag of popcorn (cheap and fills a lot of space ) or pretzels or something, maybe a nice chocolate or two?

[beanma]

Oh, we're having cupcakes, too.

I succumbed to the goody bag cr@p. Dd2 enjoyed picking it all out and we kept it fairly cheap at least. Hope the kids like it.

[Polliwog]

If your DD's happy, it's worth it. I thought of you when I walked past Katie Beth's today.
 

Originally Posted by beanma 

Oh, we're having cupcakes, too.

I succumbed to the goody bag cr@p. Dd2 enjoyed picking it all out and we kept it fairly cheap at least. Hope the kids like it.