Loot bags. One of the key deliverables of the week, and I don't know why, but I always get tied up in knots about these things. Gotta make sure each kid has the same or at least the equivalent of what the other has. Don't want any fights to erupt, or complaints to be heard the next day at school. Don't want to annoy the parents too much with too much junk that just litters their household. And I know that much of it will end up in a landfill somewhere, but it's hard to be green with junk. Don't want to spend a mint on the stuff either. Already paying a bit of a price for the party itself, but in my opinion, it's worth the extra dollars to keep the party, 20 kids and all the paraphernalia out of my house.
Turns out there are major controversies about loot bags, all that they represent and the message they are giving to our kids. Check out any mothering board and you'll see what I mean. I don't care, to me in essence they are a "thank you for coming to my party" gesture, and what kid wants to go to a party only to get "boo" as far as a parting gift? It gives Liam a lot of pleasure to hand them out at the end too, so he can thank each and every one of his friends for coming to celebrate with him.
I'm pleased to announce that I've had a very fruitful morning at our brand spanking new neighbourhood dollarama! I spent a whopping $82.08. Wait, how on earth did I manage to buy 72 items without even buying the main loot yet?!
I'll have to head out again tomorrow.
3 comments:
LOL! I'm EXACTLY the same way as you are, Karen!!! I grew up with birthdays where my mom made the lootbags and carefully selected what she'd put in them and making sure every kid had the same things. It was part of my upbringing. Most of the parties I went to as a kid, the birthday celebrant always gave lootbags to the attendees. It's just a nice, simple way to say thank you for coming. I agree. Same as wedding favours. I carefully planned what we gave out to friends. We gave a few gifts to each guest as a token of our appreciation for coming to our special occasion...and I figure if people are coming from all over the country and all over the world, and are paying for a hotel room, transportation AND a wedding present, you bet I'm gonna give them a little token of appreciation :) Plus, it's something to remember the day by.
So....what did ya end up getting at Dollarama???? I was just there today to get some odds and ends for a baby shower.
So I went out to Party Packagers today - also just opening up in my neighbourhood. Someone knows that I live here!
Bought the most amazing "explorer" package - comes with a sport watch, whistle/compass, earphones and small radio. My son thinks it's awesome ... he'd like one too, but is prepared to leave it as guest loot (I'll have a secret one saved for him). They'll also get spiderman wallets, some glow in the dark bracelets, bubble gum in plastic ball packaging, and a sheet of stickers and a rice krispie square. The girl loot bags get a cool "clikits" kit and princess wallets - I really hate to do the gender thing, but from my experience the kids tend to prefer it. Little G and her girl pal Abby get handpuppets.
WOW! Those are the COOLEST loot bags, ever!!! Can you adopt me??? :)
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