Happy Birthday goody bags?

For those of you with young children, I think you'll be able to relate here....the topic around my house for the last few months has been my daughter's upcoming 8th birthday.  She's a big planner, like her momma, and for months now, has been asking us what "theme" her birthday should be this year.  What kind of cake--"Can Buddy from TLC's Cake Boss make her cake this year? " --were her exact words.  YIKES!  "What can I put in the goody bags, Mom?"  I am so OVER birthday goody bags, whether it be ones from us or those we receive.  All the trinkets-- rings, lip gloss, temporary tattoos, stickers, bubbles, etc end up in the bottom of the toy bin and get thrown out months later, right?  
Then I started thinking, even as adults we're far immune from the appeal of a givewaway.  Who doesn't like a freebie, right? So why can't I "get over" letting my daughter give something away to her friends to help them remember this joyous event.  Because most things you get in a goody bag, whether they be for an adult or a kid,  are simply fillers, nothing meaningful and serving a greater purpose. 

But that's where I come in--with my expertise in promotional products and how useful they CAN be if done correctly, knowing the audience, the distribution method and the theme of the event.  Yes, I do believe in goody bags, for adults and kids, I guess, but you have to choose something that MEANS something, that folks will remember you by, that goes with the theme, that they can use and not throw away!

So for Molly's "Peace Out" birthday this year, after much arguing and pleading my case, we both have agreed on ONE item, a little more costly than what I'd fill a goody bag with, but something that will remind her friends of  the good time they had at her party.  Guess what we chose?  A simple, plain white t-shirt, that we, as a group, will tie up with rubber bands, dip in RIT dye and hang to dry over night-- a classic TYE DYED shirt.  It's personal, it goes with the occasion, its perfect, don't ya think?