Parents, we've all been there.

We're picking up our child from a birthday party and they have the dreaded "goodie bag".

In it is usually some random assortment of absolute crap that will never be seen again. Great!

One Redditor has had enough though, and we couldn't agree more.

u/Felix_mateo wrote a short letter to parents on the parenting subreddit, begging them to end this once and for all.

"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”

The Reddit post discusses the common practice of parents filling goodie bags with sweets, which is fine, but also a random assortment of what the author calls "cheap plastic junk" (CPJ). This includes items like cheap clappers that break easily, ball and string paddles made of thin plywood with elastic stapled to it, gooey "sticky hand" toys that melt in the car on a hot day, finger traps with splinters, tiny bubble containers that inevitably get crushed and spill all over your child's lap on a long car ride, and slap bracelets that are just old tape measures with a thin plastic sleeve over them.

As the Reddit post points out, it's understandable that parents are just trying their best, but it's important to consider the potential negative impact of these kinds of cheap toys on both the environment and our children's well-being. Instead of filling goodie bags with CPJ, it may be better to provide nothing at all, or food or candy that can be consumed later. For children with allergies or other health concerns, a mini coloring book or something similar would be a much better alternative.

Some alternatives for CPJ can be:

• Playdough or modeling clay: These can provide hours of creative and imaginative play for children, and can be easily stored and reused.
• Stuffed animals or plush toys: These can be a fun and cuddly alternative to plastic toys, and can provide comfort and companionship for children.
• Miniature games or puzzles: These can be a great way to provide a more educational and engaging alternative to plastic toys, and can help improve problem-solving skills and cognitive development.
• Reusable cloth bags or pouches: These can be a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly alternative to single-use plastic goodie bags, and can be used for a variety of purposes.
• Edible treats: Instead of non-edible trinkets, consider providing something that can be enjoyed and consumed, like small bags of popcorn, fruit snacks, or chocolate treats.
• Edible treats: Instead of non-edible trinkets, consider providing something that can be enjoyed and consumed, like small bags of popcorn, fruit snacks, or chocolate treats.

Other users chimed in with some creative ideas.

u/Graphitetshirt said, "Daughter had a puppies&kitties themed party this year - I bought a couple of dozen small stuffed ones, found some cheap cardboard "pet carriers", and put a baby gate around them. Called it an adoption event. Kids all got to pick out their own and it made it all more special."

And sometimes, just asking does enough. u/ReadingLizard said "Several years ago, myself and some other moms posted this same thought on a school thread for a party (nicely worded of course). We all gave permission to stop giving out goodie bags. And it’s reduced the junk by about 90%. Some still give consumables - cupcake to take home, pencil/notebook but generally speaking it’s nearly goodie free parties these days."

Regardless, the best alternative to CPJ will depend on the individual preferences and needs of the children and parents involved.

It may be helpful to discuss options with the parents of the birthday child to ensure that the goodie bags are well-received and appreciated.

Or, like we may start doing going forward, we'll just get rid of them entirely.

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