Even if you shop at the dollar stores or dollar bins you can spend alot of money on the gift bags you give out at your child's birthday party. My girls went to a party and here's what they did. She had bought plastic pails at Michaels for $1.00 apiece. Then she had the foam letters so they got to spell out their names on the pails. They also had different animal faces you could pick from and put those on as well. She ended up spending less money on this craft idea then she would have on gift bags. Plus we got something she still uses in her bedroom for her smaller toys.

We've only done gift bags once and that was because DS wanted to. We always have something (flower, candy, etc.) that was part of the party that they can take home and it costs us a lot less than doing goody bags. Plus saves us the time from having to do them.

We recently went to a party and they had craft stuff set out where the kids could make things that they could then take home. Inexpensive and a fun party and it kept all the kids busy.

Thanks for sharing the craft ideas. I hope to have a home party next year and set up a craft. This year we went to CEC because the house is torn apart for remodeling. I gave out a pink lunch bag w/lip gloss, notepad necklace, lollipop and stickers. It was very inexpensive but I like the craft ideas better

I have fun with goody bags, but you can order craft kits from Oriental trading for really cheap so we have done that before and just have them take home what they made.

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A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water.-Eleanor Roosevelt

I got a gift one time in a flour bag. The lady had recycled a bag of flour. She poked holes on the sides and used twine to make the handle. It sounds tacky but it was really cute. Real country.

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Gourds By Lori

I bought some Asian-looking purses on a Target Dollar Spot clearance last fall. They were $2.50 originally, marked 75% off! I filled them w/accessories from the same clearance (most things were a quarter). The girls each had a great bag for around $2.

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When my DD had her bday/slumber party this past year I gave each girl a reusable drink container it was a fun colorful one that I picked up from WalMart for a buck a piece....they got to use them at the party (they had lids so NO SPILLS!) and then they got to take them home with them.

dd's birthday is around halloween, so we have painted mini pumpkins for the children to take home as their gift. They all love it!

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"I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them." ~ Phyllis Diller

I like Oriental Trading Co also. You can get bags really cheap!

Also I've always liked wrapping kids gifts with the
Sunday comics...it's really cute.

Thanks! that is a great idea!

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Mommy to Ellie born January 9, 2008
Baby #2 due January 16, 2010