I started off my party planning with the intention of keeping things laid back and simple. The problem is that I am a bit of a details fanatic. Not only do I like to plan out the details I like to add more details. I choose a basic plan and suddenly I am coming up with more ideas than is humanly possible for me to pull off. I promise I have not been too out of control so far but there have been moments when my mind was running wild with possible menu's, homemade decorations, party games, and party favors. Balloons and streamers and more all in the colors of the rainbow.
I like throwing parties. Luke could care less. This is good because he keeps me from going overboard, losing my mind, and spending a fortune.
So instead of a full gourmet meal we will have a handful of yummy snack options. Instead of a house full of intrically made homemade decorations we will have cute and simple homemade decorations supplemented with a few store bought things. In place of party favors we will have *gasp*...nothing.
Yep you heard me right, nothing. In theory I actually think party favors are ridiculous. Why in the world should kids get gifts for attending another child's birthday party? Isn't coming to a party with all of your friends and getting to play and eat copious amounts of fun food enough? Party favors can cost a lot of money and in some cases are just a bunch of cheaply made plastic toys, anyways.
Now before I get a bunch of people mad at me because I am openly bashing party favors, I know that party favors can be a fun extension of the party's theme, this is part of why I have caught myself thinking about party favors for Monkey's party.
Yes, I have a 2-year old girl's rainbow birthday party on the brain, but even though I am a bit over board in my thinking about this party I am trying my best to not let those overboard thoughts manifest and turn into a crazy over the top birthday party. So if you see me wandering through stores around town talking to myself, consulting lists, and putting things in my cart only to later put them back on the shelf just know that I am not normally this focused on rainbows. I just keep repeating to myself that "I will not go overboard, I will not go overboard, I will not go overboard."
So what are your thoughts on party favors and goody bags? Are they an absolute party necessity and I am a terrible mommy for not providing them or are they unnecessary and costly?
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I'm curious to hear what others think about this topic. Personally I'm with you. My kids went to a party recently where the favor was nicer than the gift we gave. Now THAT is overboard!
Last year we did a "color" theme for their joint party. Crayon candles and a giant roll of paper for the kids to color on. You know what the biggest hit was? The balloons with the box of crayons (the favor) as an anchor.
We're going a dinosaur theme this year for obvious reasons and with so many dinosaur things out there it's hard to rein myself back in. Thanks for writing about this topic!
It will be easier on yourself if you don't go overboard. We had a great party for Little One. We had 2 kids his age and his 2 older cousins. We did cake and icecream. It was a blues clues theme so we did paw prints up to the door then a big one on the door, a blues clues paw print cake and a mail time mailbox with TREAT BAGS...LOL.
I kept the treat bags to a minimum and just had a few things in there, for me it is a thank you gift for coming and enjoying the time with Little One.
At 2 they weren't really ready for games so they played outside, ate cake then played with all of Little Ones new toys. It lasted 1.5 hours and everyone seemed like they had a great time.
The treat bags actually helped end the party so the little ones understood it ws time to go home.
Now I dont agree with full blown presents for guests, I have seen that done and what does that say to them?
And on that note I need to go post about Little Ones Party, don't know why I havent yet
it is soo hard to not go over board! okay the favors.... they can definitely add to the party as far as decorations. They can make a table pop. but as far as a necessity? not at all! Dont feel bad about not giving favors. most kids wont even notice. all they really care about is candy. haha seriously just put a bowl of candy out and they'll be just as happy. or even to go with the theme of rainbow colors maybe a big jar of colorful gumballs?
personally, I think party bags for 2 years old is silly, but the kids expect them now.. so who knows? Wow, I am tons of help, huh?
good for you - I dont' think they are a necessity either
I am loving this guys keep your comments coming!
Mama Bear- you're right, some parents really go overboard with the favors and it just leaves the parents of guests feeling like they didn't do enough.
Everyday Mom of One - your party sounds adorable. I can't wait to read about it.
I am with you! I call the birthday party nonsense the mommy competition. I think the only reason people go so overboard is because each year the other moms keep uping the ante. Seriously! If you are rich, go crazy but most of us aren't.
I think party bags are ridculous. You spend $20-$40 and the kids throw away the stuff within a week. I have done them before but only when we've done more affordable parties and my kids begged. The parties were I didn't give favors kids asked where the party bags were. The kids come to expect it. For Brennan's Harry Potter themed sleepover before we left Colorado. I did everything homemade and kept it cheap and simple. The favors were plastic ziplock bags with malt balls with little tags that said "Hedwig's poop". Still was fun but very affordable.
This year I am going to go overboard with Wynter's birthday and take her to the American Girl store in NYC. She is only going to bring 1 friend and the doll is going to be her only gift. Over the top within reason???
Sometimes I think older kids may think "I just gave the b-day kid a great gift and I left with a bag full of chinese finger traps, and small plastic tops" bummer? Younger kids sometime like the small plastic toys becuse they are a little less worldly. What does everyone else think? dc
Love the rainbow theme....and I don't know...favors...I'm okay with them if it's nothing big....for Pooh's I baked cookies...and put them into those chinese take out boxes....a little treat for everyone for later....no toys or anything...needing to keep it cheapy...
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