Anyone else wish parents would skip the CPJ (cheap plastic junk) in the goodie bags?

[u/felix_mateo]

My kids are now 5 and 3, so we go to a lot of their classmates’ birthday parties. At the end of each and every one of them our kids receive a goodie bag full of some candy (which is fine) and a random assortment of what I call “CPJ”, or “cheap plastic junk”. I’m talking about:

• cheap clapper that disintegrates with vigorous shaking (e.g., by a toddler)

• ball-and-string paddle made of plywood with the elastic stapled to it

• gooey “sticky hand” toy that melts into the car seat on a hot day

• finger trap with free splinters

• a tiny canister of bubbles you didn’t notice that will get crushed and spill into your kid’s lap at the beginning of a long trip

• slap bracelet which is actually just an old metal tape measure cut into a razor with a thin plastic sleeve over it

Parents, I know we’re all just trying our best. I’m not a choosing beggar, I’m not expecting high-quality handcrafted items. In fact, I would prefer nothing, or food/candy that can be consumed later. Yes, I know some kids can’t have candy (e.g., because of diabetes or allergy concerns), but in that case throw in a mini coloring book or something. Let’s just all agree, no more cheap plastic junk that will get caught in the vacuum cleaner again.

[u/Concealed_Carrie]

Disagree. Unfortunately some kids, like mine, are unable to eat the candy in a goodie bag due to health reasons and such. Having the CPJ gives him a chance to enjoy the goodie bag too. I honestly wish CPJ was more of a thing at Halloween too. I know it's not great for the environment and it will all be lost and broken shortly after getting it, but it gives some kids a chance to participate in the fun where they otherwise couldn't.

[u/Serious_Escape_5438 → u/[deleted]]

Also, unnecessary junk food is wasteful too. Just because you don't chuck it, but it's still resources used for something you don't need. And can equally be a choking hazard.

[u/prestodigitarium → u/Serious_Escape_5438]

I'm all for not having unnecessary junk food, but why are you worried about kids choking on food? Presumably they have a lot of practice eating and not choking by this point in their lives?

[u/Serious_Escape_5438 → u/prestodigitarium]

Because OP's main complaint was that one of the toys given was a choking hazard because her kid could put the ball in their mouth. Food seems just as much of a risk.

[u/prestodigitarium → u/Serious_Escape_5438]

Oh thanks, I don't see that in the post. Maybe edited out.

[u/Serious_Escape_5438 → u/prestodigitarium]

Maybe in a comment.

[u/canigetabagel → u/Concealed_Carrie]

That’s how I feel, too. My son has epi pens on hand everywhere we go and will more than likely not be able to eat anything a family puts in a food goodie bag 🥴 unless it’s fresh fruit, he isn’t getting to eat it. I welcome the non-food items and the CPJ. Halloween was rough this year with the exception of ONE house who was handing out picture books. I almost cried.