'A relief': I finally stopped giving out goody bags at my kids' parties

"I handed them out as a thank you to kids for attending a party that had already cost me hundreds of dollars," the worn-out mum writes. 

A mother has put her foot down when it comes to party bags at parties.

"I used to spend so much time and money making goody bags to give to my daughter's friends at her birthday parties," Leah Campbell writes on Parents.

She explains that misses the parties from "back in my day," where friends and family came to your house, you maybe played a few games, there was cake and presents, and everyone went home happy."

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"Enough to make my skin crawl"

"I found I hated bringing home the goody bags from other kids' parties just as much. I tend to be a bit of a minimalist as a mum and finding those cheap plastic toys or random stickers and temporary tattoos all over the house was enough to make my skin crawl," Leah continues.

"My daughter was super excited about her goody bag prizes initially. But that excitement always faded 10 minutes in. And then I was left collecting those random items for the trash from around the house as soon as she abandoned them."

Leah explains that for six years, she dutifully did the bags; lollies, toys, balloons and all.

"I handed them out as a thank you to kids for attending a party that had already cost me hundreds of dollars."

She realised for her daughter's seventh birthday, that goody bags were a waste and hated them; but sure she was the only mother who felt this way. But after posting a poll to a private Facebook mothers' group, she realised she wasn't alone.  

"To my surprise, 90 percent of the respondents (nearly 1,000 parents in total, from across the country) felt the same way as I did about goody bags.

"When I pushed further and asked questions, I found most parents not only hated making them, but they also hated bringing them home too."

One mum says no to party bags. Image: iStock

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Why are we doing it, if we hate it?

When the writer asked the parents who hated it, why they still handed them out, most responded that they thought it was expected and didn't want to be the first to break the tradition. So Leah took matters into her own hands. 

"My feelings have only increased during the pandemic when we've seen firsthand how much connection overpowers material things.

"This is my plea to you to stop the madness if you want to...Give them up. There's no need for us parents to add extra stress to our plates.

"And in fact, some parents may just laud you as the hero for being willing to take that brave first step."

Whose idea was this?

According to website, All About Party Bags, the tradition of providing party bags or party favors dates back a few centuries. Historically, wealthy Europeans (most notably those originating from France and Italy) would provide their party guests with a gift before they left the party. 

Somewhat similar to the handing out of goodie bags for children’s parties we see today. Even in the dark ages, little rugs were cut out and small pieces of meat folded in them before putting a knot on top and sending the children back to their homes.

And Leah has advice for those who do actually love making them, "if you are someone who truly enjoys making goody bags, you do you—I'm not here to steal your joy."

The ball is in your court parents, will you be the first to take a stand against the take home bag? 

Originally published as 'A relief': I finally stopped giving out goody bags at my kids' parties