We've been discussing, in various places in the forums, alternatives to wrapping paper for the upcoming Christmas season and that got me thinking about the different kinds of fabric tote bags you can get at the dollar store. While I was looking at the tote bags, I saw some really cute totes, purses and fanny packs for kids and that got me thinking.... instead of the traditional loot bag, why not put the take home treats in one of these? That way, the loot bag is one of the treats.

I offer this opinion in a good spirit, not meant to be mean, but I think that party loot bags are way over the top and completely unnecessary. It is another way to spend lots of money for junk that a day after the party is tossed aside into a toybox, if it even lasts that long, then eventually it has to go to a landfill. Why did that become a tradition? A child going home with a small prize is one thing, but a bag filled with stuff and junk?  Think of the stress of putting together entertainment and refreshments for the children than pile on making up and filling loot bags? I read a story in the newspaper one time of a party in which the mother fretted over the cost of the filled bags being $700.00 and that she worried about not measuring up to the expectations of the other mothers, and parties her child had attended! 

 My son and daughter-in-law, whose money situation is very tight, can't reciprocate for all the parties that their son has been invited to and have had a hard time trying to explain to him why they can't afford all the gifts for his friends parties, and why he can't have the lavish party himself. He is a pretty level-headed kid so he tries to understand, but, still, he is a kid. A child needs fun, not "things". E

I think that if you are doing loot bags, having something that can be used again is a great idea. Pencil boxes would work too. We had a pirate party a few years back and they all got paperboard treasure chests. If it's a girly-girl dress-up party, dig out old handbags from your closet and give those away.

I've never thought much about loot bags anyway. Some cost almost as much as the party itself. I still think kids should be taught "it's better to give than to receive." IMO, loot bags, especially the extravagant ones, are like a "payment" for the gift the child has given.  Although most here on this forum aren't into extravagant parties anyway. I think children would rather have a prize that they had won playing a game than a grab bag of junk. Most of the loot bags my kids get are thrown aside, and I pick out the candy and toss the rest in a box for our next party.

Loot bags have become a tradition around here as well. I don't particular like the idea but only do it as I found a way to do it frugally. I went to a party store when I was out-of-town a few months before a party. I bought a large cheap bag of plastic toys that were sold to fill a pinata. It's slowly dwindling, but I keep it in our party box. Someone gave us leftover party supplies after her son grew up and didn't need them anymore. My kids told me once they didn't think it was a party without birthday hats. I bought a package once and we reuse them every year, same with the birthday party banner. I bought a plastic tablecloth for $1 that I wipe off and reuse every year. Last year I went to the dollar store and we got a 3pk of glider airplanes that are rubber band launched. For $2 we had enough airplanes for every boy to have one in their bag. We bought a $1 bag of green army men as well and divided them up among the boys attending in their loot bags. They had a blast having fun with them in the sandbox in the backyard. One year instead of regular loot bags, we actually had a pinata and after it broke they all dived for "treasure". To keep the expense of a pinata down, don't buy it from a large retail store. See if you can find a mexican import store in your area, or in my case, even the mexican aisle of the grocery store sold some on the top shelf. They aren't licensed so they don't look exactly like the character in question but close enough to make my kids happy and cost only $6 instead of $15-$20 from the chain stores. I put inside the pinata a couple of those cheap toys, broke open up a dollar bag of army men, rubber snakes, etc from the dollar store, pencils in bright colors (cheap at the back-to-school sales), and handfuls of cheap individually wrapped candy (can get loads cheap the day after halloween). Some of it took planning a bit before the party to get the stuff marked down or to find the pinata but my boys and their friends had a blast in the backyard that year. If your creative, you could try making your own pinata. Just paper mache over a balloon. Empty cardboard tubes from toilet paper or paper towels can be added for legs, etc. The cavity for the loot doesn't have to be that big. If it's small then just stick with small individually wrapped candies to fill it with.

Here loot bags are very low key. $2 -3 dollars at the most. a little candy, a juice box,  maybe small playdough etc, some trinkets and thats it. Lots of birthday packages at places include loot bags.  One bowling party we went too, gives all the kids attending a free game coupon.  Actually I will save things from other loot bags, fish pond, trinkets from school carnivals etc (obviously not used and the kids don't miss them) and reuse them in our loot bags. I will customize the bags for girls and boys with a trip or two from the dollar store. Since my daughter is a nov baby, I stock up on after halloween sales for candy. (I admit I did that before kids lol) and freeze the candy bars etc for year round goodies.

I remember a few birthday parties my son had when he was small. We didn't have a lot of money and we put together gift bags pretty cheaply. We always kept the parties pretty small with about 5 or 6 kids. One year the gift bags consisted of a small bottle of bubbles, a piece of bubble gum, a package of the Kraft cheese and crackers, and a coupon for a donut at the local bakery. We put it all in a brown lunch bag, folded the bag over twice, hole punched two holes side by side and tied it closed with some curly ribbon. It was well received and cost very little. Of course this was over 10 years ago, and things have gone up in price but we spent probably $10.00 for all of the bags. For our son's party we made it known that gifts were not needed that the company was what counted.

And if a person does not want to do gift bags that is ok in my book. Most kids just like to get together and play with their friends, and have some cake, ice cream and a little juice.

Whoa! I didn't realize there would be such strong feelings about this! It's been a while since my kids were young enough for these kinds of parties. I remember one year having each child color a plain brown bag for their loot, but I didn't spend a lot filling loot bags, ever. Couldn't afford to. I agree that things can get carried away and this is just one more area where we need to find some balance. If you want to do loot bags, fine. If you don't, that should be okay with people, too. I was only trying to offer a suggestion for those looking for ideas.

 Marlene ~ I like to do "loot bags" for overnight guests or recently I spent some time with health care specialists and did a few for them.  I know you were specifically talking about kids parties, but having no kids and loving to do different things I like to make them anyway.  : ) 

I love the idea of fanny packs, cheap backpacks, etc. for those that go sightseeing locally.  I tuck in a dollar store water bottle, toiletries, wetones, gum, a map or two, a cell phone(borrowing only), gift certificates for local restaurants, fresh fruit, etc.

For those that return regularly, I pack toiletries for the trip home, fresh fruit pieces, crackers to nibble, a water bottle, a thank you card or hand written note, a small game book, etc. :)

Brianschef: those are very good useful and practical ideas. E

 Thanks!  I like to be creative and love some of the ideas used for kids.  Not having any to do anything fun for I have to move my creativity up to an adult level and most times it works out well.  : )