You know all about “swag” … those goodies you get when you attend parties. According to this NY Post article, swag is not just for grown-up parties, conferences and weddings anymore. Kids not only look forward to good swag, they expect it!  From expensive toys to LeSac bags filled with spa goodies and beyond, many parents are giving in to giving swag.

The article also points to parents who don’t agree with the swag-giving trend, citing one parent who is giving a lollipop with a note that a donation has been made to Haiti Earthquake Relief.

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One of my favorite bloggers, Kim Vallee of At Home With Kim Vallee, recently chimed in with her thoughts on kids’ party favors. Kim provides some specific sources for party favor ideas, and uses Seesmic to ask your thoughts on party favors via video. This is a cool format and provides great targeted ideas from Kim. Check it out, and let her know what you think of the classic favors at kids’ parties today!

The Robot Party Round-Up Kim features from Dabbled is well worth a look too. With the popularity of movies like Wall-E, this theme is popping up a lot more these days. These creative ideas are very useful as you plan your own robot party.

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I am hosting a party for my 5-year-old and we have invited 15 kids.  Costs quickly add up with this number of guests.  What should I spend on the party favors per child?

Costs can quickly escalate when planning a kids’ party with 15 guests.  Most important is to determine your party budget first and then allocate a set amount for the party favors and stick to your budget.  The Dollar Store and other discount stores can help you find wonderful party goodies for a small amount of money.  Alternatively, have the kids do a wonderful party craft and have them take these home as a party favor.

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What I remember from birthday parties during my childhood days is a lot of fun and very few goodies. Back in the 70s, it just wasn’t a part of the typical party fare. There were games with prizes, and, if you won, you did get to take home something. Otherwise, there were party hats, horns, and lots of cake and ice cream…but that is where it ended.

Now, that has changed. Party favors are huge today. Parents are spending anywhere from $2 to $20 per party favor for each kid. Now, is it really necessary?

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Recently a question popped up whether parents should provide goody bags to adults attending their kid’s party?

Absolutely not! Goody Bags are for kids and you should not feel pressure to provide adults with such stuff. They won’t expect it, and it is one less thing you really don’t have to worry about in the least!!

So, your child just returned home from her latest birthday party and the gody bag happens to contain a little “Nemo!” You know, a little fish to go along with the “Under the Sea” theme. You aren’t expecting this, and don’t have the time or resources to care for it with your child, what do you do?

Another situation along these same lines, is that your child is having an “Under the Sea” theme and one of the party guests brings a fish as a birthday gift.

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