Need Party Advice

I would avoid any toys in the goody bag because 1/2 the kids will break them or be too old/young for them.

I just got back from a party where each child got a really cute decorated sugar cookie to take home. Granted, I avoided them and my 2 1/2 year old didn't notice (phew!). The last thing I wanted was more sugar to meltdown about after a cupcake, but that is something most kids would like.

I will be honest, I don't ever expect a goody bag at a party. I know people like to give them, but I don't like getting them since they are usually cheap toy ('cause what else can you do with so many kids invited) and they end up under a car seat or in the trash quickly.

You could do a craft and let them take that with them. This party also had a table of crowns and puffy letters and decorations. The kids could stop by and make a crown and take it home with them.

I really don't think you need to feel that a goody bag is necessary.

I did the giant Hershey bars with my own wrappers done on the computer. Very cute! (What kid doesn't like chocolate?)

I purchased Hershey bars one year and put my own wrapper made from construction paper over the existing one. Then I took labels, printed "You're so sweet! Thank you for coming to _____'s party." I decorated the wrapper a little and WOW, this was a hit.

Another idea that a friend did was give each child a book. It was a small one but my child really enjoyed reading it.

But, between you and me, you will not seem cheap or ungrateful (that's what thank you cards are for) in fact, I am so tired of cheap toys and tons of bad candy in goody bags that as soon as I can, I throw it all away. I don't want to seem ungrateful but my children don't even ask what happened to them.

I love the Hershey Bar idea. I have been to a ton of parties where it was used and its always a huge hit. I also like to get plain white or frosted mini take out boxes (from oriental trading) and either decorate them myself, or put a sticker on them, then stuff them with candy I buy at bulk from smart and final or costco. I can't tell you how many of those I have done and everyone thinks they are adorable. I even did them as the wedding favors for my first marriage, and they were popular. Good Luck!

When my girls had a princess party I bought safety pins and beads and had the kids make friendship pins to trade and/or keep for themselves to put on their shoe laces. Little ones would just need help of course.

I like a craft take home toy. One year I did one of those cups you can color your own insert. I bought a bunch of stickers and let the kids use/markers/stencils. I even bought some of the cups with straws and a lid you could design your own. It was a big hit. And the cups were either $1 or less.

Well since this is an outside party and you are providing all the usual fun stuff. How about sending them all home with outside "toys" in their goody bags---this time of year everyone has a sale on the outside stuff. You can look around and find stuff from baby ages all the way to the grow-up kids. (that is those bigger tweens like 9-12's) after that age well they can just be happy with the food from the day. Or give them balloons-blown up or otherwise. Not done for the little kids. If you know how many are going to be of the littest ages then you can look for things they will enjoy-also be sure to mark their bags so you know exactly who gets what! The same applies for the bigger kids too-mark their bags and for that matter you can always staple them closed and ask not to open till they go home--that way there won't be any fighting for what they were given. Be sure to put a big ribbon or fun "tie-up thing" on top so they do leave it closed and look at their beautiful baggy too. That way you can save a buck by using brown paper lunch bags fior the goody bags---its an extra surprise from the day! Check with your local Dairy Queen or soda shops and see if you can purchase some coupons for other stuff for a reasonable price--parents love that for the summer fun too. Also Subway's offer coupons.

We just had our DD's 3rd bday party this weekend, and I spent about $1 per kid. We, had about 20 kids come, infants to 7 yrs., boys and girls. I didn't get a favor for any of the babies, and I think the parents thought that was fine. I ended up getting a box of plain wedding bubbles for $7, two sets of stickers at Target's dollar bin that I cut the sheets in half so got all 20 for $2, a bag of bubble gum and a bag of Dum Dums (one each per favor bag). The most expensive thing we got was two packages of a dozen bouncy balls which I think ended up being fifty cents each.

For my son's 4th, and for a number of parties that he's attended lately, kids received a book. They were all birthday themed books (Clifford, Berenstain Bears, Thomas, etc), and were 2.25 at wal-mart (online, so you can order enough). Everyone has seemed to like these, and while the price does add up, its something they actually use and keep.

I do a goody grab bag. I buy items throughout the year in dollar bins at Target or the dollar store. I get little items that come several in a bag at those places too. Different age appropriateness and genders too and some neutral. (you can also look at garage sales). I put it all in a big basket and each child can pick one item. That way, the leftovers just roll over to the next party I throw and you spend less than you would if you did individual bags.

Go to Target and see what they have in the dollar bin and get one per kid. We gave out pinwheels at my daughter's birthday - each kid got to pick one. They were a hit. I like the idea of one present per kid. Have fun.

I've seen lots of simple things like beach balls or simple plastic chairs, both you can buy at Target or the 99cent store for $1 or 2 each. If you have time, at least a week before the party, order in mass amount from Oriental Trading (they have a website) with a TON of cheap but substantial, great things to give out at b-days. I never order in time, but playdough (little jars), stickers, other little toys which you can buy at Party City kind of places. I would go by the average age of the kids coming which I would think would be around age 3-4, your child's age so buy for that age and don't worry about the rest. At my daughter's last b-day, her 6th, I went to Party City and looked at their big sale boxes and found mini boxes with some Hanna Montana picture on it with little candy in it-each for 50 cents. Frankly, I put on a great party for the kids and don't feel like I have to give them a ton of stuff so I give something small or simple. Last year's party, they painted frames and took those. Often I have a pinyatta for the kids, and they have candy in a bag from that. Good luck and happy birthday!

I agree with a lot of the moms here. Goody bags are not necessary. I've been to several fantastic birthday parties lately without goody bags, and they were not missed.
I think the goody bags are a trend that moms have come up with to "one up" each other. But like several others have already said, it is usually some kind of junky toy that ends up broken or in the trash anyway.
Enjoy your princess party!!

US Toy (Constructive Playthings) has boatloads of super-cheap novelties, toys, party supplies. See: http://www.ustoy.com/novelty/home/locationsKA.htm

They have great stuff like princess tiaras and wands/scepters that you can buy in bulk for pretty reasonable prices. One year I had a princess party and all the girls got tiaras and wands. For the boys who were coming, I got a bunch of cheap toy cars and just put them in a big bowl. Every kid grabbed a car or a wand and they were thrilled.

Having said all that, I really don't think gift bags are necessary. It's usually just a whole lot of junk that ends up everywhere and getting thrown away. Kids come for the fun and the cake and if there's no gift bag, I doubt anyone will even notice. Especially with a party that huge! That's A LOT of work and expense for you. I suggest either a single toy for each kid or nothing at all. They won't miss it. Good luck.

My boss did this for her daughters party (and they had boys as well), instead of a gift bag, she brought art supplies so they could all make their own crown, I think she went to an art supply store for precut crowns and then bought accessories in bulk for them to put on, glitter glue, lg jewels (she had nothing small), markers, stickers. Then they kids got to make their crown whenever they felt like it, so they would come in little groups, but they weren't all trying at the same time, so they could get help if needed. I actually loved it, my son still has his (though it's losing a dying battle, but it's been over a year) and we didn't have all the "stuff" we didn't need or want. He still plays king and walks around ordering us around with his crown. Good luck.

I have some great party ideas for princesses and game ideas if you like??

Why the need to invite so many kids. I find when there is over 12 kids many times there are mult problems. Its alright to keep it simplier. I know this was not your question.

Honestly, I think that you could get away with not doing party favors...the kids will all be so excited about the party - they aren't even going to notice, and I bet a lot of the moms will be glad. I know that I throw the things in gift bags that my child receives away the first chance that I get! I have had a few parties at parks and I usually buy a thing of sidewalk and a lot of bubbles for them to play with too.

Oriental trading has cardboard crowns that are cheap and colorful. They go for girls and boys (I use them to give to my birthday students at preschool) You can get multicolored ones and they have some all the same color or just silver and gold. Cheap and it goes with the birthday theme of princess and since some of the girls will dress up, some won't and some of the boys won't either, but they won't feel left out with a crown. They come by the dozen and most are $3 to $5 a dozen. Other than that I wouldn't give anything out. Some parents are leary about giving chocolate to thier little one and if you give out chocolate bars then some parents will have kids begging for the chocolate after they just had cake. Hope this helps. Good luck and God Bless.

You can also do a pinata - it will take up some time at the party and give the kids something to do. Kids love them and you can fill them with candy, stickers, erasers, rings, etc. Hand each kid a baggie and let them fill their own "goodie bag" when the pinata finally breaks!

I much prefer the idea of a craft for them to take home. Those cheap toys that you buy to stuff a goody bag with are just so much "stuff" that clutters the house until you finally throw it away. Get a variety of craft materials and let them decorate a crown or a wand to take home.
Personally I would forget about goody bags/ favors all together, with 38 children on your list it is going to add up quickly no matter what you do. I guess my question is why you are throwing such a huge party...it seems almost unmanageable and definitely more for you and the adults than for the guest of honor. I bet she would have a lot more fun with half a dozen of her really good friends, at home around a wading pool!!!