It’s Time to Say Goodbye to the Goodie Bag

“As far as I can tell, there’s nothing ‘good’ about that goodie bag…”

Leaving a pizza-arcade birthday party, we overheard a grandma say this to her grandson as the paper yoyo favor ripped the first time he used it.

My husband and I couldn’t help but laugh. We’ve thought the same thing plenty of times since our oldest son hit the birthday party circuit. He thinks the goodie bag is usually a waste of money, while I tend to be more concerned about toy safety and environmental impact.

It’s not headline news that most party favor bags are filled with junk. 

The last one our boys received had a glitter-sticky-hand, plastic lips that whistle, a sheet of tattoos, a bouncy ball, a toy dinosaur, a tiny plastic jug of bubbles, and a squishy rubber ducky. And everything was made overseas. Talk about increasing a party’s environmental footprint.

These plastics are not exactly the kind you want anywhere near your child’s mouth.

And that sticky hand got covered in cat hair the minute we got home.

What’s the Goal of a Goodie Bag?

As parents, we want to thank the children who came to celebrate our child’s special day (and their parents for bringing them).

But sometimes we fall into “more is better” thinking. Nobody thinks twice when party favors break or end up at the bottom of the toy box. In fact, that’s what we expect them to do.

So, you have to stop and wonder – is giving out plastic bags of plastic junk a proper way to express our gratitude?

Most kids don’t need anymore tiny, temporary toys. And many parents don’t actually enjoy picking them out and paying for them on top of buying food and decorations for a party.

It’s Okay Not to Give Out a Party Favor

It’s really okay to say goodbye to the goodie bag. It’s as simple as that.

You can make the decision and not feel a bit of guilt about it. You might be nervous about starting the trend but most of the other parents will gladly follow your lead.

Part of teaching your own child how to be a good steward of the planet is not consuming unnecessary items. And part of hosting an eco-friendly party is cutting back on waste.

A Note on Letting People Have Their Fun

This article is for parents who don’t enjoy giving out or bringing home junky favors. If you or your child loves the bag of trinkets, by all means – have them!

Life is hard sometimes. We need to enjoy it as much as we can. So, please have your fun. Delight your child. And feel free to click away if this topic isn’t taking any pressure off of you.

Alternatives to Goodie Bags

What if your child’s classmates or social circle always does a party favor? If you really don’t feel comfortable bucking the trend, you can choose a meaningful or useful favor.

If you need a few ideas for inspiration, try these party favors that are not junk.

Host an Activity Party

Experience parties can make not only a memory, but often your child leaves with something they helped create. Even if there’s nothing to bring home, you can take pictures of each child participating in the activity and have them printed or framed as the favor.

Some of these ideas can be done at home. Others are location party ideas. Some will automatically have a take home item, and the others – the experience IS the favor.

• Make friendship bracelets together
• Go to a roller skating rink
• Pottery party – kids can take home their work of art
• Go bowling
• Visit your local animal shelter and donate time, food, or toys for the dogs and cats
• Tour a botanical garden – take seeds to plant at home
• Play mini golf
• Host a tie dye t-shirt party – use a kit or try DIY natural vegetable dyes (beets, spinach, turmeric and red cabbage)
• Tour your local fire station
• Volunteer for a park or beach clean up

Goodie Bags / Party Favors That Aren’t Junk

I recently heard a mom talking about how her own children treat junky toys in a rough manner. But when she gives them a handmade item or something precious like a seashell, they instinctively treat it like a treasure.

Here are some party favors that are useful, green, or creative:

• Packets of wildflower seeds
• DIY Harry Potter wands
• Pocket size crystals
• Sidewalk chalk
• Small succulent plants
• Books – You can often find $1 or $2 books at used or discount stores. Or if your child’s school participates in Scholastic, you can buy multi-packs and split them up. 
• Art supplies – Crayons, markers, or eco-friendly paints and play-dough are favors that encourage a child’s creativity. 

Take what you will from these suggestions. If they feel freeing… amazing! If they’re guilt-inducing… don’t change a thing.

And seriously, if you opt for no goodie bag (as I have many times), please let us know in the comments how it goes.