Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Let's Have a Favor Bag Bonfire

Added to the list of people I'm annoyed with (along with whoever invented that stupid strip of tape that seals the tops of music CDs): The person who came up with the idea of giving out favor bags at kid's birthday parties. A. has had several b-day parties at school and each time comes home with a bag of candy, gum (which he can't eat because he swallows it - this is a class of 3-year-olds...c'mon, people!), and cheap toys that break into tiny choking hazards as soon as he brings them in the house.

I'm beginning to plan A.'s 4th b-day party next month, and I'm trying to keep it low-key. We've got lots of years in front of us to rent jumpy houses, clowns and spend thousands of dollars. Last year on the invitations we put "No Presents," because he's got plenty of toys and doesn't really want much. He also doesn't get the whole "Because it's my birthday, people bring me presents" thing, yet, which I consider a blessing. He just wants Cars-the-Movie plates and cups and cupcakes for everyone.

So this year I'm seriously considering putting on the invites: "Let's make a deal: You don't bring my kid a gift and I won't give your kid a bag of candy and cheap toys."

3 comments:

Beastarzmom said...

Sounds good to me!

Anonymous said...

Or as a friend of mine says, "Do me a favor...don't give me a favor." We gave each kid a Curious George book this year as a favor for my daughter's birthday.

Anonymous said...

Bravo!

I'm continually astounded by the lengths some parents go to for their kids' birthday parties. At Clara Jane's daycare last winter, we all got invitations to the second birthday party for one of her classmates. A McDonald's birthday party for a two-year-old? My head exploded.

Oh! But that's not all! The mom included a list of gift ideas.

We didn't attend.

As for the favors, we've gotten the goody bags at daycare. Again, astounding. Do these people give their toddlers gum and sharp toys at home? If not, why do they think I would want to give them to my kid?

 
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