Anyone do trip instead of gifts for kids...

[catsrule]

DH and I spend the money on trips instead of gifts for each other.

 

[toystoryduo]

These are some wonderful replies! My DH's family is going with us to WDW in December. When we started tossing the idea around, we decided that we were going to make this our Christmas gifts to each other. (That's a blessing because then we would have 14 people to buy for! ) Plus, we have decided to extend our stay beyond the visit to WDW with DH's family. Our girls will have a great time with their cousins, and they'll still get special time with Mom and Dad at WDW.

When we get home from WDW, we'll probably put up our Christmas tree and decorations and maybe put a couple of things under the tree to help remind the girls of our wonderful vacation. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could put a box under the tree that says, Merry Christmas! You're going back to WDW in May??!! Here's hoping that we can!

Have a wonderful time at WDW everyone!!

 

[liabeea]

There will be 27 of us heading for WDW in December. This is our Christmas to each other. We usually buy gifts for this bunch, but we've all agreed to go to on this trip and no presents!!! NO shopping for me! YAHOO!!!! My 3 dc even thought it was a great idea.

Many Blessings
Lia

 

[skiwee1]

I think it depends on the kids. My kids wouldn't go for it. As much as my 5 y/o DD loves WDW she would be very disappointed if she didn't get any presents to open. While she might say yes to the initial idea of Disney instead of gifts she would be very upset when the actual day came and she was empty handed. She might be spoiled though as we go twice a year to Disney. If your kids are really okay with it then go for it.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by beansmom
I personally think we give our kids too much 'stuff' anyway...especially for holidays...and, yes, I am as guilty as anyone. I think we are creating consumption monsters.

I remember very few 'things' but I remember events. I think DW for xmas is a great idea and then just one or two small gifts for xmas. Isn't the spirit what Christmas is about, anyway,not the $$$?

But that is what's great about being a kid! I always buy my kids too much stuff at Christmas and birthdays but I enjoy that. I love to shop and I love to give! There is nothing more magical then seeing your little one's face on Christmas morning. And yes she has way too much stuff but we just donate it and get more.

 

[disneymania]

We will do Disney as gifts & then Santa will bring them a special gift. I think I'll look for little things at WDW to wrap up like Disney photo frames, etc. I would love to do WDW after Christmas because it would be fun to wrap up trip stuff like cameras, disney dollars, light up toys etc but we really want to go when all of the decorations are up. Just need to stick to plan. May have relatives from far away send Disney dollars for presents early if they are game for it. Happy holidays.

 

[Disney_1derland]

But that is what's great about being a kid! I always buy my kids too much stuff at Christmas and birthdays but I enjoy that. I love to shop and I love to give! There is nothing more magical then seeing your little one's face on Christmas morning. And yes she has way too much stuff but we just donate it and get more.

While I agree with the joy of Christmas/Yuletide and loving the looks on their faces I also know that we, personally, have too much junk after every birthday and holiday. They enjoy these new things for a short time and then they collect dust. And, even if I don't buy ANY gifts they wind up with too much from relatives/friends. We have a 'book' rule with our friends. Please buy them a book or an outfit, they would love that. Most of my friends realize we don't need more toys LOL. This will be our first year substituting a trip for Christmas and my children are young so they will grow up doing this. My 4 year old understands that Santa will bring a gift and mommy and daddy will give a gift and anything else is a bonus. She also understands that going to disney the month before is a HUGE gift.

Next year they will be told on Christmas that we are returning to WDW in the spring of 2006. Now whenever I think about budgeting a trip for WDW I know where the money will come from! My Christmas Club account!

 

[Cinders]

In the past we have done WDW in early Dec. for the boys' Christmas present and then on actual Christmas only Santa would leave gifts. This year I think we'll actually be in WDW at Christmas so that will again be their gift and I'm sure Santa will find us and leave a special present under the tree we take with us. Hopefully this year I can get the extended family to realize the boys do not need anymore junk!!! Right now older DS has a home theatre system and 2 boomboxes.....ahhhhh how many glorified radios/CD players does a 14 year old need? And younger DS is mostly out of the toy stage so DD or money would be a nice change at Christmas. Thinking about asking my parents to buy us Sea World tickets for our Christmas gift this year.

 

[dkrause716]

Think it's a great idea. Doesn't hurt for kids to learn that it really doesn't grow on trees. 3 years ago we surprised our kids with a trip to DW. It was their Christmas present (except for a few small things) and they truly had no idea. I wrapped up a giant box with a few Disney clues and a banner inside that said you're going to DW!!! We left December 26. They were so excited and so were we. I guess I should mention that my two were 16 and 12 at the time so there were no issues with Santa.

Have fun!

 

[DizneeCM]

Maybe you could ask the kids what they think about going to Disney instead of parties & presents. My friend offered her DS the choice of a party or a Disney trip when he was seven, and he chose the trip. I guess it could be a bit difficult if they don't all agree.

 

[panfan]

We did this last year for Christmas also.....It was great ! I have two ds's ages 2 and 7. We had a great time !

Also...in 2 weeks we will be going on a trip to Williamsburg/Busch Gardens. This was very last minute. It it going to be for the "birthdays" DS is 7/13...other DS is 7/25 and mine is 7/25...also going with my sister whos DS is on my birthday 7/25.
I asked the ds7 if He would rather have a birthday party w/ all the friends ( very big at his age to invite the whole class) or go away for a few days....his answer was of coarse to go away !

The only thing I am kinda bummed about right now is he is SUPER EXCITED for this trip...more than about WDW. I think he is WDW spoiled all ready ! We bought DVC last year so we will be going back that is for sure !!

Have fun and enjoy all family time spent together...I agree much better than the spiderman webshooter ! ( btw...we have that !)

 

[MPLsDad]

We''ve done it every year for our soon to be 4yo DS. After a disastrous first birthday party with family who criticized and complained, we find Disney much more rewarding for him and for us. Every time he watches a Disney movie and the castle comes on in the beginning, he says "I go there on my birthday!" Right on, son!

 

[fanofmickey]

DH and I just decided last week to try for a February trip. The only one being told is our 18 yr old college daughter who does not have the week off school, but said to count her in, she is willing to make up all the work necessary. The other 3 children are not being told and their gift from us for Christmas will be their ticket. Being young, they will still get a couple of "Santa" gifts, but nothing expensive. We may do the ticket as a sort of "Scavenger Hunt", as that will take up more time and draw out the anticipation of getting a great gift!!

 

[ddgirl]

My daughter is going to Disney in August with her best friend and her mother. Her 13th birthday is the week following their trip. I have told her that this trip is her Birthday GIFT, and not to expect much more. In the end kids of all ages will remember a special trip before they remember a birthday party, Christmas gifts or what they've received. Ask your child what they got for last Christmas and they won't remember but ask them what they did at Disney....that they will remember!!!!

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

We're going to take our kids and grandkids to WDW next May. We'll give them tickets for Christmas. Airfare will be free since we have a lot of frequent flyer miles. We'll absorb the cost of having everyone stay at a moderate, and if everyone enjoys the trip, we'll seriously consider buying into DVC so that we can keep doing this every year or two as the grandkids grow. I'd much rather have our grandchildren remember regular trips to WDW with their parents and Nana and Bopa than forget the toys we bought over the years. I want to buy memories, not stuff!

 

[Ellester]

Originally posted by disneymania
I would love to do WDW after Christmas because it would be fun to wrap up trip stuff like cameras, disney dollars, light up toys etc but we really want to go when all of the decorations are up. Just need to stick to plan.

The decorations stay up until the beginning of January. Our Christmas present from my dad and stepmom was a trip to WDW last January. We were there from Jan 1-4 and all the decorations were still up. Of course, MVMCP was over, but Jan 1 started "value season" so the rates were better (it was still crowded though!). Our kids (then 5 and 2) still got a ton of gifts from their other grandparents and some from us. We do limit the gifts from us to 3 each with the rationale that it was good enough for baby Jesus so it's good enough for them! Also, for my older dd's 5th birthday last year we gave her a little Mickey and a certificate stating she would be having breakfast with the princesses at Cindy's and a day at MK for her birthday. We were already going to the beach in Florida the next week and just threw in a day at MK since we had left over hoppers. She loved it, although I think her favorite part of the gift was the Mickey confetti in the bag!

On the gift topic, my mom usually just gets the kids something little and then spends money on what she calls "enrichment". For example, she is paying for my dd6 to go to day camp for a week and paid for dd2 to go to Kindermusik. Works out great for us as we have more Barbies, Polly Pockets, and stuffed animals than the local Toys-R-Us!

 

[Ellester]

Originally posted by donaldbuzz&minnie
I'd much rather have our grandchildren remember regular trips to WDW with their parents and Nana and Bopa than forget the toys we bought over the years. I want to buy memories, not stuff!

I TOTALLY agree. I don't remember a thing my grandparents bought me when I was young but I treasure a picture of us in front of the Adventureland sign taken in 1979 (I was 10), a few years before my Granddaddy passed away. We stayed in the treehouses and it is a wonderful memory I'll always have.

 

[TBLaube]

We definitely take a trip as a gift. This year we are traveling to celebrate my b-day(33), and my two sons(will be 4 and 9). We plan a special character meal for each of us on our respective days. Also, to make it more special, I let my sons pick what they want to do for a special present. My oldest has picked that he wants to go to Disney Quest so he and I are spending the day there.
I would choose to do this over planning a huge party at home!

 

[northern michigan]

We did this once before and brought an articifial 2' tree with us in our room. Santa left a few disney barbie dolls under the tree for Christmas morning. We'll be there this coming Christmas and Santa will leave some disney t-shirts and tickets to LaNouba for Christmas Day! My dd's are 8 and 12, but toys just don't last like making family memories.

 

[northern michigan]

How do you get these prior to arriving at WDW?