Am I cheap?

[Steph9072]

We are going to Disney 11/29-12/5. Our kids plus my dss all have Birthday’s in Oct & Nov. Then Christmas is right after our trip. I thought I might buy a few souvenirs here in town. Then dh and I would have to go back to the room and place the souvenirs out in the room. When we return to the room they will have a gift from Tinkerbelle or Mickey Mouse. We will still let them get a T-shirts and Ears. But this way we can do WDW, Birthday’s, Christmas and still pay the bills. I have been told by family members that I am being cheap doing this. But I think it is practical. What do you all think?

TIA

 

[Microcell]

I did it!

I love being called cheap too! means more trips to Disney when I am!

We bought the stuff and wrapped it in gift bags with notes from Mickey and Minnie, along with stuffed animals of each from Disney Store clearance sale and some shirts and ears etc...

We got our room assigned and I "offered" to put the bags up in our room, having planned on Dh and the kids about five minutes behind me, and when they got there I came out all excited about what Mickey and Minnie brought!

They loved it and never knew I brought it from home! My kids were the same age as yours are now when we did it too! Went over sooo well and they felt so special!

 

[PaDisney02]

I've done it too! Last year I made both my boys goody bags from "mickey". I made the bags at home with stuff from the dollar store and then at disney over night i put the bags out and said they were from "mickey". You are taking your kids to Disney World! Obviously you are not cheap, the trip in its self is enough. I know people who go and their kids cant get any souviners from Disney. Good Luck!

 

[QVCshopper]

Last year, I put a stocking outside my hotel room for "Santa Mickey" to fill each night. The kids raced to see what they got each day. I did it for each of the 7 nights. As an added bonus, the "mousekeepers" and other guests left us nice surprises like candycanes the whole trip. The kids loved it.

The only problem is that they expect Santa Mickey to come every trip now. (Oh, and we let them pick our 1 souvy each while down there.)

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

You are NOT being cheap. Don't people realize the investment you make into the trip?

My parents are taking DS and DNeph for FD in the fall and are considering that their birthday and Christmas... granted DS gets shorted a b-day gift (by the way the calendar falls), but I consider this trip MORE than an adequate gift.

I think people long ago lost site of what is important in life. I commend you for giving your kids the World versus spending all of your money on material goods. The memories from this trip will last WAY longer than an toy. I think you guys have a great idea by leaving little gifts here and there. I would put money on it that they treasure those trinkets more.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Totally practical! I bought Disney clothes and toys on sale before our Christmas trip. Dh or I would make an excuse to go back to the room and put out a "gift" while the other got snacks or refills to stall. The kids (5 & 3) believed that Mickey (or whomever the note was from) really brought them a gift! Even got their expressions on camera a few times.

 

[GRUMPY D]

we went on Christmas 07 and had Santa write letters to the kids saying that part of there gifts is a trip to Disney and then we ship down some gifts just before we left

 

[MAH4546]

I'll come out and be the mean one.

If you told your kids that Disney is their Birthday/Christmas present, then you are not being cheap - afterall, Disney is their Birthday/Christmas present and they know it. Though this is something you would have to tell them in advance.

Otherwise, yes, you are being very cheap.

Still, I couldn't imagine skipping out on a birthday and Christmas like that, even if it just means a few cheap toys on their actual birthday and Christmas morning.

 

[newtowdw1]

I'll come out and be the mean one.

Still, I couldn't imagine skipping out on a birthday and Christmas like that, even if it just means a few cheap toys on their actual birthday and Christmas morning.

My children are blessed with loving, generous relatives. They do NOT need more stuff. When my DD12 suggested that we adopt a family for Christmas last year, DH, DS8 and I agreed.

Unfortunately, the budget did not stretch to two Christmases. They AGREED to this and were excited that children who normally would not have presents would have them.

My parents decided that all money we would normally spend on them should go to our project.

We celebrated Christmas as a religious holiday in our family; the children, however, did get presents from other relatives.

Finally, both children decided that they wanted to celebrate their birthdays at Disney with experiences, NOT gifts.

Cheap toys, or any toys for that matter, may be broken, and almost certainly will be outgrown. The EXPERIENCE will not be broken or outgrown.

To the OP, I do not think you're being cheap. If you are trying to extend the magic with surprises on a limited budget, have fun. Disney is about surprises and 'magic.' Sounds like you have created a fun experience for your children that they'll remember after the toys are outgrown or broken.

 

[mjkacmom]

I, personally, hate junk, so my kids got $25 to spend as they wanted - tshirt, pins, whatever, but when it was gone, it was gone. I don't see the need to buy my kids gifts every day on vacation.

 

[EthansMom]

I don't think you're cheap.

I don't care for buying stuff to take to WDW for souvenirs. Instead, I give each of my kids a reasonable budget and let them pick out items they would like to buy (with guidance from Mom and Dad). We pay for most edible treats, but DS and DD have to use their budget to buy any souvenirs for themselves. In the end, we spend MUCH less than other families, the kids get what they want, and I don't have to listen to the gimmes all week long.

Personally, I don't understand the people who think you have to stay at a Delux resort, eat at every fancy meal, do all of the extras (BBB, waterparks, DQ, Pirate Cruise, etc..), and spend a bundle on souvenirs to have a good time at WDW. I could (and would rather) go on 2 vacations for the price of some people's one vacation.

 

[Kies99]

We did this on our trip.

It was the first trip for both our daughters so we shopped stuff throughout the year leading up to it (generally during sales).

Then each morning, we'd shuffle the girls out the door and then my wife or I would be the last out and would toss the items on the bed. When we got back, they had new things waiting for them.

Work great!

 

[Ashlander]

You're not cheap at all! We did this on our last trip and it helped us stay on budget and not go home with a bunch of stuff we don't need. I did give each child $20 in disney dollars so they could pick something they wanted.

Maybe your family will feel bad that you are being so "cheap" and send along spending money. My parents always do that - and then I don't feel so bad buying something at the parks.

 

[JUJU814]

We are going to Disney 11/29-12/5. Our kids plus my dss all have Birthday’s in Oct & Nov. Then Christmas is right after our trip. I thought I might buy a few souvenirs here in town. Then dh and I would have to go back to the room and place the souvenirs out in the room. When we return to the room they will have a gift from Tinkerbelle or Mickey Mouse. We will still let them get a T-shirts and Ears. But this way we can do WDW, Birthday’s, Christmas and still pay the bills. I have been told by family members that I am being cheap doing this. But I think it is practical. What do you all think?

TIA

I don't think it's cheap at all! I think you are being smart! I wish I was that smart. BTW, are you aware of the "outlet" store at downtown disney? I can't remember what it's called..outlet, discount...but whichever, they have all sorts of disney souvenirs at amazing prices.

You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on BBB, pirate and princess parties, $100 dresses and such to enjoy disney. The single most important thing is your precious family time and the memories and experiences you will build together. I see people all the time going into debt for these frivolous extras. If you can afford it, great! But it sure isn't something to go into debt over.

If your family members think you're being cheap, tell them you're happy to accept donations? LOL Seriously, who CARES what the family says. If you and dh are in solidarity, then be confident in the decision and choices you've made. (ok, so like, when I go to Disney, I'll have to find this thread and take my own advice

If they grow up with practical parents, they'll learn to be practical as well...and it sure sounds like not only are you smart and practical, but thoughtful and creative, and that to me makes one great combo!!!

Julie

 

[mdsouth]

I don't think you're cheap.

I don't care for buying stuff to take to WDW for souvenirs. Instead, I give each of my kids a reasonable budget and let them pick out items they would like to buy (with guidance from Mom and Dad). We pay for most edible treats, but DS and DD have to use their budget to buy any souvenirs for themselves. In the end, we spend MUCH less than other families, the kids get what they want, and I don't have to listen to the gimmes all week long.

Personally, I don't understand the people who think you have to stay at a Delux resort, eat at every fancy meal, do all of the extras (BBB, waterparks, DQ, Pirate Cruise, etc..), and spend a bundle on souvenirs to have a good time at WDW. I could (and would rather) go on 2 vacations for the price of some people's one vacation.

I agree, 100% with Ethansmom. You are being practical and budget conscious. The trip itself should be enough. My DS12 worked and saved money for the trip. My DD6 also saved her own money. We had a garage sale about a month before our trip. The kids picked out some of their own stuff to sell in the garage sale. We split the earnings in half with them.

Kids get to much. I really do not understand the need for many people to give little gifts to the kids each day. My kids were just excited and happy to go to WDW. They also really enjoyed selecting their own treasures with their money. We did give each child 25.00 to spend in addition to the money that they earned. It was plenty!

 

[eeyoremum]

If you are buying them a shirt and ears I that is enough without putting out gifts from tinkerbell or mickey.

Disney is an event in itself. I tell my kids (10 and 15) that I paid for the trip you take your own money to spend. I have been doing this since they were 4 and 9. When kids have to think about spending thier own money you have far less junk brought home.

 

[mdsouth]

Last year, I put a stocking outside my hotel room for "Santa Mickey" to fill each night. The kids raced to see what they got each day. I did it for each of the 7 nights. As an added bonus, the "mousekeepers" and other guests left us nice surprises like candycanes the whole trip. The kids loved it.

The only problem is that they expect Santa Mickey to come every trip now. (Oh, and we let them pick our 1 souvy each while down there.)

I really don't want to put a damper on the fun you have, but for the safety of children, you should be very wary of any food left by strangers. Yes, even at Disney there are mean people - case in point - the child molester that was just caught at WDW's Typhoon Lagoon in the wave pool.

 

[whenuwishuponastarr]

I dont think you are cheap! We just got back from a week in Disney and decided to go back. We had left over airfare so we decided to plan a surprise trip for my dd 7th bday with FD and MNSSHP. So in reality she will not b getting any major gift.(Disney Is a pretty MAJOR gift) I have been toying with different ideas for the surprise so she may get Disney Dollars. I figured if I surprise her with them, there is only one place she could spend them SO Surprise we r going to Disney. Xmas is not far away and sssh I m trying to plan a surprise trip for Dh who turns 40 in august (and our 10th anniv is in Nov.) I dont know where I think I m going to get this money but hey life is short! So enjoy ur trip cause no matter how discounted you plan it still is not cheap!



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[Darcy03231]

I did this when I took my niece for her first trip last fall. We have a local Diseny store and I started collecting stuff on clearance before we left. She loved getting up each morning and having a gift from "Tinkerbelle". I did get her ears at WDW and she was allowed to pick one thing as a souvenir before we left. I saved so much money by getting all the stuff ahead of time. I bought t-shirts on clearance for $2.50, sunglasses and flip flops for $1, etc. I don't think you're being cheap at all.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I'll come out and be the mean one.

If you told your kids that Disney is their Birthday/Christmas present, then you are not being cheap - afterall, Disney is their Birthday/Christmas present and they know it. Though this is something you would have to tell them in advance.

Otherwise, yes, you are being very cheap.

Still, I couldn't imagine skipping out on a birthday and Christmas like that, even if it just means a few cheap toys on their actual birthday and Christmas morning.

I didn't read the OP this way at all. What I read was that by buying some souvenirs ahead of time and limiting their souvenir spending in the parks, they could afford to still buy birthday and Christmas presents. They aren't making the trip the gift, but by being frugal on the trip, they will be able to provide presents for the other occassions.

To OP, no, you're not being cheap. You are being practical. I've seen many people recommend doing what you are planning to do.

DD and I were at WDW for her birthday last year. I packed a couple small presents, small both monetarily and physically, to wrap and give to her on her b-day, but I also took her to the World of Disney store in DTD and gave her a set dollar amount to spend as her birthday present. It worked out well for us. She had some Disney Dollars saved up as well. I told her she could spend it all there or spend some and save some for the parks, but once it was gone, there was no more for buying stuff. I did cave and buy a stuffed Eyeore she wanted at the parks on the last day of our trip even though her money was gone. But I did it because I liked it and wanted it too.