As a response to the article, “Goodie Bags Are Annoying. One Mom Says We Should Stop Doing Them,” by Kara Murphy, here is this author’s take on goodie bags.
For better or worse, goodie bags are a common practice in our area. Our biggest lesson when attending or hosting is gratitude. We are grateful for being invited and anything the host gifts back is merely the icing on top to having celebrated our dear friend doing something fun. We have hosted parties with goodie bags and without goodie bags and here is our take, plus a useful guide to what to do with these items afterwards.
- If it fills your heart or your kids’ heart to give them, please don’t think about it twice. Kids like giving goodie bags and receiving goodie bags, good vibes all around.
- My kids have turned into mini party planners. Making goodie bags for their parties gives them a simple, useful task and keeps them out of our hair as I am decorating, staging food, etc. Everyone wins.
- If you decide to go without goodie bags, know that in our parties guests have asked for them. Awkward. Avoid the awkwardness by having a preplanned response and don’t dwell on it. Your mantra here is: The party is enough.
What to do With Goodie Bags Afterwards
- Donate to a local teacher for their class treasure box (many teachers have reward boxes consisting of small toys, such as goodie bag toys).
- Post your goodie bag loot in your local Buy Nothing group, where teachers and other parents may want to take them off your hands.
- (This is what we do). Throw a couple in your diaper bag or purse and when you are out in a restaurant, or other “sit quietly” places, take them out. They are usually small and lite, perfect for on-the-go toys.
- Throw a couple more in your car for this long car rides and fidgety hands.
Popular Goodie Bag Loot by Age
Here are some ideas to fill your goodie bag. Note, prices can run low to high. Do what works for you budget. If you are still not sure, as a rule of thumb, the goodie bag should not cost more than the anticipated gifts. For low cost options check out the Mondo Llama brand at Target, Amazon, Oriental Trading and, of course your local Dollar Store.
- Age 1-2: hard books, ball, car
- Age 3-4: coloring books, cars, play dough, scratch-its
- Age 5+: crafts, customized things, fidgets, pop-its
