I survived the party weekend. Minimal drama and tantrums and that was just from my husband. Go me!
As the first party ended a few kids went up to the party mom and asked where their party packs were. This mom has taken a stand and is starting a trend of no party packs. Her reasoning is sound – there are sweeties, cake, food and fun – right. I then went to another party where there were limited amounts of sweets and drinks available during the party but we went home with a party pack that was full of sweeties. The idea – send them home to get a sugar high and no screaming kids at her house. Well played mom, well played.
So the party pack conundrum begins… to party pack or not to party pack… that is the question…
It seems that party packs began where you went to a party and where shipped off with left over sweets or cake from said party in a pretty bag.
Nowadays party packs can range from the simplistic (or nothing) side of things to costing more than the gift brought to the celebration kind. Some people have a passion for parties and this is where they allow their creative juices to flow taking the theme and decor to a whole new level.
I am all about the enjoyment and each to each their own. I think that when it comes down to it a party should be attended to have fun, make new friends, build up current friendships and did I mention have FUN. So if the person planning the party had fun making and arranging those party packs I will have fun eating and enjoying the theme (streamers could be tasty).
Gifts are a whole new level of anxious buying and wrapping. Oh, how we can mull over the purchasing of the perfect gift not wanting to overspend or under spend. In just wanting to make someone feel happy and loved on their special day do you buy what you think feels right or give money or a voucher. While some kids/people/pets appreciate money or a voucher as it allows more control in how they choose to celebrate gift it may seem impersonal? Oh what to do…
Personally I prefer buying a gift that jumps out and says “buy me for this random individual at school that you see maybe 3.7 times a year”. I love birthdays and most of all making it fun as long as there is no expectation as I crumble like a dry cake. On the other hand maybe it’s better to just ask the question…what would your child prefer. Let’s not be afraid to communicate.
8 Comments
Heather
I’m a no party pack mom! and if my kids get I usually manage to avoid giving them to them at home – they sit in the cupboard for a long time and get shared out over a period of like a month! I did a party once at a venue and I gave each family a party pack that they could dish out to the kids/family throughout the day as they liked. They seemed to like that! and what was left you took home. I also did the take whats left in a bag as well to those who wanted, and then they got choose what the kids ate as well!
Chanene
What a great idea and one I am definitely going to use on Miss K’s upcoming birthday party. Thank you.
Michaela
Yip, I really dislike the party packs. They are usually full of little junk toys anyway and are a waste of money. When we were kids we got to go home with a piece of cake and that was great! I’ve decided to not do any for Dylan’s party at the end if the month. I guess I’ll see if I get any come back from it ….
Chanene
How did it go down?
How are parties celebrated in your side of the world?
Jeff
I am a supporter of the no party pack club. I don’t think kids should get rewarded for attending a party – it’s not about them. It is about the person celebrating their birthday. We (society) really needs to stop rewarding kids for no reason. #NoToPartyPacks
Chanene
I do believe there is a grey area on rewarding kids for no reason and one I am going to definitely discuss on an upcoming blog.
maybe not a big no if the party pack was a car 🙂