Pages

Friday, November 11, 2011

Photo Phriday... and my "treat bag" rant...


...guess what kind of a weekend that means WE'RE having?




 What? Did you say we're throwing a big fancy party?

Yeah, well, then you're wrong.

Instead this happens to be the weekend where ALL of my kids' friends seem to have birthday parties. Apparently my little girls are prejudiced against people with birthdays in any other month.

(not really... but it feels like that right now)

These gifts are for the parties that are happening this weekend starting tonight (a sleepover) and finishing tomorrow afternoon.

If H is lucky we will have time to rush home after the sleepover to allow for tooth brushing and something to eat besides popcorn before the second party begins.

If M is lucky she will be able to not have a complete come-apart waiting for her party to begin on Saturday afternoon.

If I am lucky ManOfTheHouse will offer to do all of the dropping off/picking up/making sure they remember to take the right gift back to the right girl...

If the boys are lucky none of them will require transportation anywhere during this stretch of time.

and if I am TRULY lucky?  then the world at large will realize what a monumental waste of money/annoyance to all parents those silly "treat bags" are. 

Seriously - and I've been guilty in the past - have you ever seen some of the junk in these bags...  little miniature coloring books that get filled up with one touch of a marker - bracelets that fall apart by the time the kid goes to sleep - lip gloss that is destined to ruin a load or two of laundry... you know, basically the same crap that was in the dentist's "treasure box" when I was a kid...  like that made up for having to endure 10 minutes with that flouride gel in your mouth.

NOTHING makes up for that horrendous stuff.  Just sayin'

I feel for party parents, really I do - treat bags seem to be expected these days... I have had kids ask me for them as they go to leave...  the best? The kid who was wearing the apron and chef's hat I'd made for each of the party guests and carrying the miniature cake they'd just decorated to take home... still wants a treat bag...  trust me, if I'd known that's all that was required for a party I would have skipped the hours of sewing and baking.

So hey, if it makes you feel better - and it WILL make the kids happier - throw a few dollars into your treat bags... but don't kid yourself that any parent on the planet is going to be happy with you when they step on that stupid plastic spinning top tomorrow morning.





12 comments:

LC said...

I'm feeling lucky we only have one party this weekend.
So are you saying it's okay that I haven't done treat bags for any of my girls' parties? (Unless you count the pinata goodies.) I'm with you--that the craft/activity/dessert, whatever is enough.
Good luck with all that partying.

S said...

That made me laugh!!! Thank you for the heads up on the treat bags. I have time to think up something different before tomorrow, right? :)

Kristina P. said...

I would give them pictures of The Hoff.

Megz said...

Each party I make a mental budget. If I did no decor, no fancy treats and games consisting of duck duck goose and hide and seek, then yes, goody bags are required. But if I'm forking over lots of dough on the actual party, then no goody bag required. Funny how it has become such a standard over the last few years though!
good luck with the party weekend.

Sherie Christensen said...

Yeah. I'm the cheap parent who doesn't hand out goody bags. It sometimes baffles the children who expect them, but I just fed them ice cream and cake. What else can reasonably be expected of me? It is nice that Dan's friend's / cousin's parents are so nice about Dan friendly bags so I'll have to think about nicely handing out candy and stuff in return I suppose. But I might be too ornery.

Saimi said...

Sounds like the week I just had, and I don't even have any kids....

You are indeed SUPERMOM!!

Lisa said...

Oh my heck, did you nail it on that one! Dang stupid treat bags! I don't know if we've ever even finished pulling everything out, let alone found a use for any of it. Let's face it~we live in a day of decadence, where kids feel way too entitled. And the dollar store has found a way to capitalize on our greed, with shoddy crap that leaves you poorer than when you began. Plus with more cavities from all the crud. Lose/lose.

Chelsi said...

I'm with you on the treat/goody bags. I think they're ridiculous. And, I'm quite pleased to say that I have NEVER given goody bags. I think the guests' treat is having me plan fun games and activities, for them. It might also include something cute/yummy we make/decorate. Once, all it was was some nail polish, popcorn, and a movie. Fortunately, I've never had a kid ask for their goody bag. Not sure how I'd respond if they did.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

That sounds so busy it makes my head spin!
The treat bags are cute.
You rock as a mom.

Barbaloot said...

I've never even heard of treat bags! Obviously I grew up too soon.

cold cocoa said...

I think I give treat bags as a way to ensure that even if the games were lame, the craft didn't pan out, someone didn't like the frosting on the cake, then at least the last thing they remember is a positive thing. A bribe I suppose. And for my kids, they want it more than the party! Sad, but true.

Jen T said...

Amen to the treat bags! Money is much better :)