Goody Bags and Other Life Hacks

(Sigh...I know, I know...I've been a little radio silent.  What can I say?  Life, eh?  ENJOY!)

I have never understood the proverbial 'Goody Bag' at kids' birthday parties.  

When did it become customary to give a parting gift to someone who had given YOU a gift?  Not to mention, the investment the host put into HAVING the party...?

Just...baffling.

Suffice it to say, when my two older girls had a party (and it was A party since they share their birthday, two years apart), I went against the grain and sent our guests home with empty hands and a hearty 'THANK YOU FOR COMING'! (gasp)

And that was that.

Here's another hack.  

Oh...right...the 'hack' above is: don't do goody bags. 
I release you of said 'tradition' and perceived 'requirement'.  
You're welcome.

Ok...the 'other' hack.

Don't put the location or address of the party on the invitation.

"BUT KIMBERLY...how will they know where to go?  How will they get their goody bag?" 

[ Wait!  No goody bags, remember?  You're free now ]

I cannot take full credit for this one.

Years ago a friend of mine sent out the invites for her son's party.  Looking expectantly over the invitation, elated we had been included in this event, a location was nowhere to be found.  

Was this a joke?  

Was she just taunting me?  "We're having a party, wanted you to know but we don't want you to actually come TO the party"  

Curious, I called.

When I called to inquire about this missing detail, she explained there hadn't been room on the invite.  'You're Invited To Petey-Pete's 7th Birthday on November 10th' 

Done and done.

She was kind enough to give the address and the rest is history.  

THAT STUCK WITH ME THOUGH!

Ah-ha.  

Don't provide the location.  This means, no one can just 'show up' because their previous 'better' plans fell through and now your party is the consolation prize.

BOOM!

And it works.

My invitations over the years have read something like this:

Please join Oldest and Middlest for Their Not-Twins Birthday on This Date and This Time

When you call with your intentions, I'll disclose where we are celebrating these
perfect, precious, sweetest ever girls

Let us know 'yeah' or 'neigh' by another date a week out

When I explain my skewed logic, including having an accurate headcount, no one really fusses.  Furthermore, I can PERSONALIZE things for the guests.  One year, we did a cooking thing - I got aprons and personalized them with the name of said child.   
(See what I did there?  I DID gift SOMETHING and it was practical...you pickin' up what I'm puttin' down?)

 

You may think I'm the Grinch of Birthdays and All Things Fun.  I assure you, I am not.  

More power to you if you do the goody bags, moreso if you even let me in on the location of said party.  FANTASTIC!  This is a judge-free zone.  I'm not gonna lie, I love me a swag bag and I know kids look forward to it when they go to parties (well, leave the party).  That said, I simply am not that mom AND I wanted to give you 'permission' to do things differently.  

It is o.k.

Because, the reality, what happens to the dollar tree trinkets you fuss over?  You spend a chunk of change on the party alone (from food to the venue to everything in between).  You're already giving your child and their friends an EXPERIENCE.  A MEMORY!  Totally acceptable to allow THAT to be enough.

OH...as for gifts - we did open gifts at the party (I do not think I would do that today - too much pressure).  THAT SAID - during the opening of gifts, I would take a picture with each guest and the given gift.  When my girls (yes, the Oldest and Middlest) would write their thank you notes, a picture would be enclosed.  Again, another 'gift' if you will and memorable.  

                                               (the littlest and her 10th with friends)

That is all.  

Go forth.  

Host as you see fit.  

I support whatever you decide.  

My intention was to provide a different perspective, opinion (see my recent post about onions...lol) and options. 

I remain, Humbled, Buoyed and Blessed 

And always, I invite you to take 10 minutes to

Just Be

The Texas Ginger

Bringing World Peace, One Hug At A Time

                                                         The Original Breakfast
                             (now THIS was a memory!  Happy Birthday to me in January.)

The Nametag

Nametags.

Wait staff wear nametags.  Cashiers wear nametags.  We put them on our pets.  We stick them to our shirt at an event or conference.

My first one was a silver one, 'VILLAGE INN  Kim'

The next one was this lil' number - 'WOODS' 

Then there was this season - found BONALES while lookin' through memorabilia

How could I forget the time with United Market Street?!  Teaching cooking classes!

Currently, it's 'GET ORGANIZED Kimberly' (ha! Indeed - GET organized, Kimberly...lol)

I found one this week, while cleaning out a nightstand drawer of a client. - 'JUAN'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT  Ellen*' 

In my line of work, I find A L L the things.  This past week, I was packing up an apartment containing the recently deceased, Ellen.  My client is Ellen's daughter, Lois* who is responsible for packing up her mom's apartment.  That's where I come in.   

I found the aforementioned nametag, buried underneath miscellaneous papers.  Instinctively, I knew this was special.  

It's 'just' a nametag, right?  Who would even know?  It's long forgotten...

Let me tell you, when I handed it to my client, Lois, she gasped.

Juan's Mexican Restaurant had closed years ago.  Turns out it had been Ellen's first job; she maintained it for years.

I went on a deep dive of mini-movies and memories in my own brain.

Ellen walking up, greeting her table, 'Hello, my name is Ellen.  I'll be your server tonight.  What can I get you to drink?"  Small talk, banter, getting acquainted for the span of an hour or so.

Those she served over the course of her time at Juan's have long forgotten Ellen.  Ellen, having long forgotten them.  

Lois, however, remembers her mama very much and the joy on Lois' face was well worth it when I handed over that simple, gold, metal name tag.  

Dr. Suess said it best

To the world, you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world

Remember this, the next time you see a nametag - engraved, embroidered or written - on a waitress, cashier, or any other type of tag that offers you a name, they mean the world to someone else.  They are a human being, in that moment, that happens to be a human doing...for you.

Y'all...

I remain, Humbled, Buoyed and Blessed 

And always, I invite you to take 10 minutes to

Just Be

The Texas Ginger

Bringing World Peace, One Hug At A Time