Last month, a TikTok teacher went viral and divided parents (and other teachers, too!) everywhere by dropping her “unpopular opinion” that parents shouldn’t send cupcakes to school for their kids’ birthdays.
Parents who just wanted to make their child’s birthday special, even if he had to spend it in his regular school routine, were frustrated at being told that the traditional treat was off-limits. Some teachers also spoke out to disagree.
Since then, many parents have asked for a non-food alternative, and the same teacher is back with her offers.
The Initial Controversy About School Cupcakes
The teacher, who goes by KBCrayons on TikTok, set off a firestorm when she said that cupcakes are too messy and that kids don’t eat them. She offered a list of treats she’d prefer parents send in instead, including cookies, donuts, Little Debbie or similar packaged cookies and treats, and even ice cream!
Most parents responding seemed pretty peeved — they said things like, “Is it your birthday? Or theirs?” and “I bring in whatever my child chooses! It’s their birthday; they get to pick.”
Some questioned how ice cream could really be less messy than cupcakes — and really, teachers have freezers in the classroom?
Teachers chimed in, too, many saying that parents should send what their child prefers.
Here’s that original video:
Other Parents Were Shocked — Y’all Are Sending Food Treats?
Some parents wondered how allergy issues are handled when teachers allow a class of kids to eat foods that another parent has sent in, since the ingredients are less likely to be vetted.
In fact, for these and other reasons, some parents said their schools have already banned sending in food items for the class. They won’t be sending in cupcakes, but they aren’t allowed to send in any of the alternatives KBCrayons suggested.
Now the TikToker has responded, sharing a list of other items parents can send for their child’s birthday if cookies and cupcakes are all off-limits.
Her Suggestion Is A Trinket Bag With A Variety Of Goodies
KBCrayons did receive some criticism for dividing her options into items she deemed fit for boys and those she suggested for girls instead, but aside from that, this time around, her suggestions were pretty well-received.
She suggested making a goodie bag with a bag designed for party favors or colorful Ziploc-style bags. Her ideas for stuffing the bag include slap bracelets, lip gloss, mini sports ball kickbags, googly eye party favors, fun pens, bouncy balls, and rubber bugs, among other things.
(When my older kids were in school, my favorite was the tiny bottles of bubbles sold in the party favor section for weddings and such. I’d give them to the teacher so she could choose whether to distribute them for recess or just send them home.)
Check out the new video with suggestions below.
School Birthday Celebration Limitations
Birthday celebrations are increasingly limited or banned in schools, so check with your child’s teacher before sending anything! Several parents chimed in on KBCrayons’ post to say they’re not allowed to send anything, even trinket bags.
One complained that their kids’ teachers don’t even allow birthday hats and are “so boring” that all they do is “work, work, work.”
Teachers are currently quitting their jobs at astounding rates, and their jobs being tied to students’ test performance is one of the reasons they cite, so it’s no wonder those sticking around would want to focus on the curriculum.
Celebrations in the classroom have been on the way out for a while. There has even been legislation addressing it in some states!
In 2017, West Virginia repealed its ban on birthday cakes and other treats in classrooms, though, according to WSAZ. That legislation had been in place for almost five years, preventing classroom cupcakes statewide.
Individual districts and schools, both in West Virginia and other states, still do set limits, though, so you’ll want to call ahead!