We spent the first 9 years of my sons life in a small townhouse, so when we moved into our first house, I promised my son that he could have a big backyard birthday party, invite his whole class and have a bouncer etc. So he's inviting all 36 kids in his class! I'm kind of frustrated with the whole birthday party gift bag thing because as we all know, some people will RSVP and then not show up. Some will just show up without an RSVP and then you don't have a gift bag and gift bags can be expensive, time consuming etc. So I thought since his birthday is so close to Christmas that in lieu of gift bags, I would allow the kids to do a Christmas craft. Maybe make their own ornaments with pictures of them with the birthday boy or whatever. My son seemed indifferent either way. Although, my husband feels that 1. boys won't care about a craft and 2. at what age are they really just too old for gifts bags (he's going to be 10 by the way - 4th grade). So now I don't know which way to go and need some advice. Should I do gift bags anyway? Would a craft be okay for boys and girls? Are there any other ideas that would work better? I don't even remember getting gift bags at the numerous birthday parties that I went to as a child, but then again, times have changed.
Wow, 36 kids! You are brave!
Here is a website for novelty items and things, in bulk:
www.orientaltrading.com
Although yes, at 10 yrs. old, a goody bag is not mandatory I think. And yes, it is quite an expense for 36 kids.
How about, popcorn or something, just make it yourself, and throw in "peppermint" type candies along with it? And put it in those cellophane baggies for them to take home?
Good luck,
Susan
Hi
How about doing cookie decorating? That way you have a craft and a take home gift. (And you get to keep the left overs!!!)
Decorate a photo frame and snap a pic of the guest at the party and/or with your son. We id this at my daughters b-day and have attended other parties that did this. Use glue dots or peel and stick foam to avoid messiness. check out familyfun.com too, lots of ideas
Throw all your gift giveaways in a basket and have each kid pick out a gift as they leave.
Some Ideas:
Hot wheels, small boxes of Legos, Whoopie Cushions, Candy, Christmas Ornaments, small girly bags, bracelets, pencils, games, etc...
Have a great party!
You could go to McDonald's or an ice cream shop like Baskin Robbins and get $2 gift certificates. Then the kids can get a treat and you don't have to stuff bags. If you have leftovers you can tuck them in a Christmas Card or something.
I think as long as you have "something" for them to leave with it is fine. A craft sounds good. You may want to bake cookies or brownies and wrap them with a note saying thanks for coming to my party. That would be cheaper and it wouldn't matter if people didn't come you could always send them to your neighbors if you have extras. I think the ornamnet or photo frame sound good too.
My Mom for one of my birthday parties as a kid, did a scavenger hunt around the neighborhood. She got a few of the neighbors to participate, but then hid things in places like the mailbox or behind a specific tree. We did groups, and each team had a parent who followed them. It was timed (like 30 minutes, I think), and at the end of everyone got gift certificates to Baskin Robbins for the cost of a single scoop...the team with the most from the scavenger hunt list each got a small treat bag with school stuff...stickers, pencils, notepad...stuff like that. My birthday is in October and close to Halloween so, it the prizes were Halloween themed.
My Dad supervised the whole thing, while my Mom got out the Cake and Ice Cream and put the presents around the main table. If I remember correctly, we stayed on our block, and didn't cross the street.
A craft is a great idea, but that age is so funny...
Good Luck and have fun!
