loot bags

If we do a theme i try and keep it along those lines. last year kobe had a thomas the tank engine party and I found some cool train whistles to go in the bags but apart from a wee toy like that I also put in a balloon, maybe some stickers or a tatttoo, bubbles and a lollipop or some sort of lolly.
While I dont want the kids to expect to get them I must admit I love making them up though but then i love doing the parties full stop!

I've done lots of loot bays but do you think I can remember what I've put in them.
It all depends on the children and the age. I've always had girly ones so my favourites over the years are:

Not all in the same each time but an assortment for different parties.

Little gel pens
tiny note pads
mini coloured pencils
funny shaped erasers
Lip Gloss (for older girls)
Lollies
Mini Choc bars
Balloons
Bubble mix
Bangles
Hair ties
Small bouncy balls
yoyo's

I try not to get too much of the little plastic ($2 shop) toys as I hate them hanging around my house so assume others feel the same way. But they have great packs of little note pads and you can slit a pack of pens etc so they are a good place to shop for that stuff.

I agree. everyone says go to the $2 shop, but all that stuff is crappy, breaks and hurts when i stand on it.

i have a collection of old loot bags in my cupboard from parties the boys have been to and i plan on recycling thm for gabriels party. i figure they can use them to collect lollies from the lolly scramble.

I refuse.

Han is having another BBQ again this year. Saves me having to stress (and entertain kids. ha.)

Over here some of the loot bags we get are insane- I swear one of them must have cost more than the present we got the kid! It was a personalised embroidered sack (as in it had Charlottes name on it) filled with these great toys- like a really nice quality farm set, colour pencils and a book, hair ties and lollies.
This other one she got a gardening set with a trowel, fork and mini rake thing all in a canvas belt holder, a pack of seeds and a childrens book on gardening.
One we got a 'paint your own mug' set with a mug and paints- she loved that one!

Last Birthday I bought a whole lot of cups with swirly straws from the disney store (cinderella for the girls and cars for the boys) and filled them with a few lollies, a kinder surprise, hair ties for the girls plus a cinderella figurine, a kinder surprise and a little toy car for the boys and tied them up with cellophane and ribbons with a note saying 'thanks for coming to my party'. They cost about £7 to do each. We always spend quite a bit on parties but I love doing it

I did loot bags last year, much to DH's disgust ("what's wrong with giving them a bit of cake to take home and that's it. Worked for us when we were kids"). I'm fighting the urge to do them this year - some of the parties Ella's been to were extravagant, some simple, and the kids all loved the simple ones just as much but the adults sure enjoyed them more. I was waaaayyyy too stressed about Ella's 1st party.

I love the idea of giving people something when they come to a party a a wee thank you but some are just OTT.

FOr the plunket 1st B'day party thats at my house the kids are all getting a ballon on a stick and a wee bag of marshmellows.

For Mac's real first birthday I am making themed cupcakes for their take home thing.

I like the idea of buying stuff for the party that they can then take home e.g eye patches/head scarves, aprons, fairy skirts ehatever the theme is.

:o I didnt know spotlight did that! thats good to know!

Deb, your Christmas ticker is freaking me out.

We didn't do loot bags for DD1's 2nd birthday last week, but the kids did take home a balloon each. We just got a whole lot of big toys from the toy library the day before and let them all go nuts in the back yard, and did make your own pizzas for afternoon tea.

I think if you like doing loot bags then go for it. I like the idea of making something for the kids to take home that is relevant for the party, like the dancing skirts etc. But not the plastic loot bags, they're not for me at all.