A mother’s unconventional approach to birthday party etiquette has stirred up conversation online after she revealed she brings cleaning supplies — not toys — as a gift to children’s parties.
In a now-viral TikTok video, the mom explained her reasoning: “This is a kid’s birthday party, and the last thing I want to do is give the parents another toy that ends up in landfill.”
Instead of contributing to the pile of typical birthday presents, she chooses to bring practical items — a bag filled with cleaning products. “When you go to a party, everyone wants to help clean up, but no one knows where the supplies are,” she said. “So I bring my own cleaning rags, Glad Wrap, dishwashing liquid, and whatever cleaning product I prefer — because really, who knows where to find that stuff in someone else’s house?”
The gesture has received mixed reactions online. Some viewers praised the idea as thoughtful and helpful, especially from a fellow parent’s perspective. “This is so thoughtful. As a mama, I appreciate this so much,” one commenter wrote.
Others found the move a bit odd. “This is pretty weird, not gonna lie,” another user responded.
While opinions remain divided, this mom stands by her choice to swap plastic toys for practical help — sparking a larger conversation about party culture, parenting, and what it really means to be helpful.
