Organising a child’s party can end up being quite expensive and that’s just organising the venue and entertainment. Of course then you have to think about the party bags, more often with very little money left.

Here are some great ideas for interesting party bags on a tight budget:

- Plastic Loot Bags – these are inexpensive and you can buy them in themes to suit. Just fill them with sweets, bubbles, a balloon and perhaps a small toy.

- Paper bags – you can decorate each bag with each child’s name or get them to do it as part of the fun. They will look great and you can fill them with a few inexpensive toys and sweets.

- Buy a book – you can buy packs of books from most major supermarkets or bargain book shops.

- Pop a few sweets into a balloon and blow it up. Kids won’t know whether to play with it or pop it to get to the goodies!

- Sweetie Bags – fill some penny sweets into cellophane bags and tie with a ribbon or put them into little jars.

- Fill a paper cup with some sweets and a toy, cover with a cellopane and tie with ribbon.

- Make up a lucky dip box and fill with cheap toys and sweets. The kids then get to have a dip in the box as they leave the party.

- Get the children to make something at the party, such as decorate a cupcake or cookie or pain a fabric pencil case. They then get to take their creations home with them.

Whatever you decide to buy, it always works out cheaper buying in bulk. For sweets, buy bigger value bags and split them out. The same applies to books or even pocket money toys.

Party bags really don’t have to cost a lot to look great. It’s what you make of it. Use your imagination and try and create something unusual or a bit different.

Utilise materials in the house such as jam jars, containers and boxes, which you can collect, ask your neighbours, relatives and friends to help you collect things if you don’t have much time before the party.

Whatever you decide to make, remember that most children are easily pleased and it should not be something to get stressed about, but rather a fun and pleasurable experience.

Chances are that kids with love them!

It has become a custom that all children expect a party bag at the end of a party, however the term ‘party bag’ is often the term used to refer to some form of gift.

Here are my Top 10 ideas for party bags, so that you can ensure the children go home with a big smile on their face.

1. The Traditional Party Loot Bag

The loot bag is usually made out of plastic and this type of bag is still by far the most popular. Plastic loot bags are cheap to use and are readily available in lots of popular children’s themes, such as Hello Kitty, Disney Princess, Bob the Builder, Spiderman, to name a few. You can also buy them in any non licensed theme to co-ordinate with tableware and decorations.

Fill them with pocket money toys and sweets and kids will be more than happy!

2. Cellophane and Paper Bags

If you prefer to give something a bit different to a plastic loot bag then you could opt for a Cellophane bag or Paper bag.

Cello bags are available in plain or printed designs and you can fill them with little toys and sweets. They look great tied with some ribbon to give them a finishing touch.

Paper bags are great because they are eco-friendly and recyclable. You can buy them printed or plain in a range of lovely bright colours and in a variety of sizes to suit your needs. To add a bit more excitement for the child, wrap the gifts in a sheet of coloured tissue paper before placing in the paper bag.

3. Party Cups

A party bag doesn’t necessarily have to a bag. Try using a paper cup! You could decorate a paper cup or make it a craft activity at the party and get the children to decorate their own cups. Simply attach a ribbon or string to it to form a handle and fill with treats. Kids will be most impressed going home with one of these cups and they can even keep them afterwards to store little bits and pieces.

You can also buy plastic cups and beakers that children can use long after the party!

4. Fabric bags

Cotton bags are a wonderful alternative to plastic and can be used over and over again. You can buy any suitable fabric and make your own if you are a dab hand at sewing but if not there are many styles of fabric bags available to buy ready made up.

Children can decorate their own cotton bag at the party as an activity by using fabric pens and paints. A fabric party bag makes a great party bag gift.

5. Party Boxes

You can buy party boxes (Like a ‘Happy Meal’ style box) in lots of bright colours and designs. They make a great alternative to using party bags and you can get lots more in them, including a fairy cake or piece of birthday cake. You can buy plain boxes which you can decorate or personalise yourself and you can even buy ones that say ‘Hope you had a great time!’

6. A Crafty Gift

A great way to entertain children at the party is to get them to make or decorate something such as a picture frame, soft toy, bag or even a cookie. Kids will love to take home the fruits of their labour!

7. Pots, Baskets and Flowers

This makes much more of an unusual party bag gift. Plant pots are fairly cheap to buy in DIY shops and can be beautifully decorated. Fill them with toys, sweets, flower seeds or even a pot plant! A great idea especially for a summer garden party. A small bunch of flowers tied together with ribbon looks great too.

Small handled wicker baskets are great to decorate too and can be filled with lots of goodies.

8. Lucky Dip

Children love lucky dips and what better way to end the party with one.

Cover a cardboard box with paper which you can decorate or use printed gift wrap. Cut a hole in the top of the box and fill the box with wrapped up gifts, enough for each guest. The birthday child can hold the box by the door as the guests leave.

9. Books

Fun little reading books make wonderful party gifts. You can buy lots of great inexpensive books and many come as value packs.

Why not personalise each book with a little message inside the cover to read something like: ‘Dear Sarah, Thank you for coming to my 6th birthday party, love Evie’.

10. A Sweet Creation

Instead of the usual sweets placed in party bags you could make a little gift with them! Fill little cello bags or small gift boxes with penny sweets (not quite a penny these days!) and tie with ribbon to give them a finishing touch.

Make or buy yummy cupcakes, you can put them into cupcake cases which look great.

Cake pops – these are basically balls of yummy cake on a stick. Increasing in popularity, they look wonderful presented in a cellophane bag and tied with ribbon.