We always got them as kids, but only to a certain age (say 7 is the limit) beyond that no one cares. I always saw it as a "thank you for coming!" gift, no matter how crappy they were I loved them. Kids now a days can personalize them more, instead of being a bag-o-crap but still keeping them cheap.

I mean i get them at baby showers too, and wedding showers, so its not just a kids thing.

I completely understand where you're coming from but it is the 'done thing'.

My mum always resisted the trend of giving out party bags and instead gave nice 'thank you for coming gifts' such as a mug, pack of felt tips/crayons, keyring or a novelty pen perhaps.

It is a good alternative to spending money on things which are crap quite frankly!!

I remember when I was a kid many of the parties ended with gift bags, but there were also many that didn't. I don't think I knew the difference or cared either way. I certainly don't think anybody is entitled to a gift bag. The party was usually fun enough (and, duh, cake) that I enjoyed myself without getting some little cheap plastic toy.

I guess I went to the wrong parties as a kid, we never got anything beyond the food and cake.

The gift bags aren't really my problem its the idea that they are a given and im sure not everyone feels that way. But Ive had conversations with moms about a party im planning and they will ask "so what are you doing for the gift bags" and I say "oh, im not doing gift bags" and there look would suggest that I just said "oh, im cutting off my sons fingers and giving them as souveneirs".

I always gave gift bags and typically got them, but I certainly never would have expected one! For me, giving the gift bags was actually really fun because it meant I could get everything to go with my theme. (I was big into themes as a kid.) I don't really have a strong opinion about them either way; if/when I have kids I'll probably give them, but I certainly won't expect them.

I certainly don't feel kids are entitled to gift bags but it is definitely the done thing.

When I was a kid, I got them whenever I went to a party. My mom did them for a couple years but when I was about 5 to maybe age 7, she would buy boy gifts and girl gifts and wrap them all. The kids would sit in the appropriate circles and play wonder ball with the gifts. You know passing the ball around in the circle while singing the Wonder Ball song? We did that with these gifts and who ever held it last got the gift. She would buy enough for every kid and we would play until every body got a present. It was pretty cool because she made a game of it and everybody ended up with something. I always thought that was better than the gift bag because it was a game.

Although, now that I think of it, she may have done this in addition to gift bags.

I like that wonderball idea too. It makes it fun and its a memory as well as a gift.

And I also think that when a child is older and they want to do gift bags to fit the theme, that's cool because its the kids idea and they get to have a part in planning their party.

Yea it sounds like its not so much the gift bag but the entitlement to one that pisses you off and I would totally agree with that!

Parties have gotten out of control. But I do like the idea of getting the kid involved in planning the gift bag!

We did gift bags when I was a kid. Not every party, but majority. I can't remember if my mom gave them out at my parties though.

I occasionally get a 'parting gift' at weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, etc. But it's something with the name and date to remember the occasion.

I certainly don't expect my son to get a gift bag when he goes to a party. But I love making them up and giving them out at his!

Lately, some kids we know have been having parties at ceramics shops or crafting studios where the kids are lead through a "class" to create something. Their "gift bag" is taking home the item they created during the party.

I agree with Roar. If it's something you like and want to do then that's great of course, but I think it can send the wrong message. Even if the party sucks and the entertainment sucks, the whole point of going to a birthday party or bridal shower is to celebrate the person and enjoy time with them in their success/accomplishments/joys. If you don't like that person enough or know them well enough to feel that way then maybe you shouldn't go. To expect to get something out of someone else's party just for coming is greedy and I think greed is a big problem in our culture. I'm not a fan of teaching it that early to children.

I never got goodie bags as a child either. And we don't do children's birthday parties. This mentality of entitlement and having to "one up" the last birthday party is just one of the reasons we don't participate in them or have them for our own children. We celebrate their birthdays with family only and we make a big deal out of it so they're not missing out on birthday's don't get me wrong. But the big party idea is just not our thing so we avoid them.

I agree, the entitlement that is felt is wrong. I think a nice parting gift is sweet, but is not required.

I'm currently planning my wedding for next year and have been thinking about the favors as Star mentioned. What I don't get is handing out little things with our names and date on it. I just don't understand why someone would want to keep some random object with our names and wedding date on it. So I'm thinking of doing something like cookies or food of some sort - or maybe a small gift that doesn't have our names and date on it. That just doesn't make sense to me

kiki, i would def do something edible. i've been to ton of weddings (somewhere around 50) and i hate those stupid favors with the name and date on them. i never use them, since they are usually pointless and just take up space. many times, i just leave the gift on the table if it's something i know i will never use. i've gotten a few useful gifts (coasters, picture frames, etc.), but if i get one more CD with the couple's wedding music on it, i'm going to scream! the last couple of weddings i was at did just have two pieces of nice chocolate for everyone. which i appreciated much more

getting back to the original post, i agree with you haus. what is this teaching kids? and what parent really wants more crappy toys cluttering their house?

oh, my point with the wedding gift rant: i'd rather get nothing than something stupid that was given out just because some people like random crap.

I made truffles for my wedding and gave them as gifts! I also decorated some votives,people cleaned those out!