Beads & Bells & Bows - oh my!

So... what do you PUT in a goody bag? Goodies, of course! :-) Really, it depends on the age & preferences of your cheerleader & her squad. Some of the items my daughter has enjoyed over the years are...
Snacks - crackers, candy, cookies, juice bags, juice boxes, & small water bottles.
Hair & makeup type goodies - brushes, combes, clips,rubber bands, scrunchies, nail polish, chap stick, compacts, & nail files.
Spirit stuff - team colored beads, cow bells, noise makers, key chains, luggage tags, scarf (great for cooler games &/or competitions!) & fan pom-poms!
Extras!! - things she (& mom) may need at the current, or next compeition/game! Bobby pins, BLACK (or clear) hair rubber bands, an extra cheer bow, athletic tape in her teams' colors, makeup wipes, & travel detergent pen!

What is a "Goody Bag?"

So, what's a "goody bag" & why is it important to a cheer mom? The answer is pretty simple, really... a goody bag is a bag (or other container) full of goodies! Yep - alot like the ones you get, & give, at a kids' birthday party. And why is it important to a cheer mom? Well, here's the thing. You kid puts in ALOT of time, energy, and heart to cheer. Really. 20 years ago, I wouldn't have believed it either, but they do. And when they perform, there is no standing ovation. Not even when they have totally ROCKED!! Best case scenerio, they come home with a trophy... worst, they get nothing. And this is when the goody bags are most important! The girls (& guys) have something to look forward to at the end, no matter what. And hopefully, they feel how much we love them & appreciate their hard work!

So! Where do you start? With the 'bag!' Here are a few examples of things I've used, or my daughter has recieved.

The traditional bag...

The ever popular 'cheer bucket'

and my personal favorite, the more modern, green version... a reusable bag (that makes quite a fashionable purse!) *star in place to cover copyrighted logo*



In the beginning...

It all started on an average Saturday morning, when I recieved a phone call from her gymnastics coach. "We're having tryouts for our cheerleading team today & I'd like Izzey to try out!"
I'd seen the signs at the gym, & ignored them... our lives were busy enough, I didn't need to add THAT to it! But this particular coach had been working with Izzey for 4 years at this point. If she thought it was a good idea, then I'd consider it. So I did- & Izzey wanted to do it. THAT was 4 years ago.
I had no idea what I was getting myself into, how involved I'd become, or that I'd find something for ME in it - but I did! In that first year I discovered that this 'sport' was not that different from the musical theatre I loved when I was young. Seriously - bear with me! They BOTH have music, ALOT of practice, choreography, costumes (yeah, yeah, yeah - they call 'em uniforms, but they are costumes to me!)and stage makeup. Take out the singing from my beloved musical theatre & replace it with bodies being flung & hurdling through the air - and you have cheerleading!
But what got me was something I could do. Something that re-awakened my tired, creative spirit. Something my daughter would enjoy, would make her friends smile, and reward them for all their hard work - no matter the outcome of the competition. Now, don't laugh... I'd found my true love. Goody Bags!!