Q. Do we have to send guests home from my child’s birthday party with a lolly bag? Personally, I’m not a fan of my kids coming home with yet more sugar (in the form of a lolly bag), after they’ve spent the actual party gorging themselves on jelly snakes and the like!

• A. No, you don’t have to conform to the traditional sugar-laden lolly bag for a take-home favour, filled with chocolate frogs, jellybeans, lollipops and other artificial junk! But it is nice to have a little something for when the kids depart. Luckily, there are lots of other options you could offer, even though most still fall into the ‘treat’ category. Try:
• • A boxed cupcake, iced with each child’s initial to personalise the favour.
  • A little toy such as a whistle, mini notebook, bouncy ball, bubbles and bubble wand, or sticker sheet. These can be wrapped and placed in a farewell lucky dip basket.
  • Home-made iced biscuits in a fun shape like a dinosaur or star. Put a few in a mini noodle box.
  • Gingerbread men in cellophane bags, with little tags attached that read: ‘Thanks for coming to my party! Love Alex.’