Anyone do trip instead of gifts for kids...

[disneymania]

I'm trying to justify another trip either in December or May to DH who doesn't have the same Disney passion as I do. Has anyone ever given a Disney trip to kids as part of Christmas present or birthday? All my kids & I have spring birthdays so was thinking that maybe they would buy into the idea of going to WDW in May instead of getting present from us & big birthday parties. Don't slam me for this but I'm really wondering if that fair to kids. Money is tight right now & the spring kills us with so much birthday stuff.
God Bless.
Oh, by the way, we went once in the beginning of Dec & thought that would be part of Christmas gift but of course still ended up spending a lot because the trip was before Christmas & seemed sad to be home without much on the holiday.

 

[Alicia Gist]

Money is tight this year for us. My husband is in sales and sales are down. My kids asked for us to go to Disney this December for part of their Christmas. We're going Dec 17-20. We plan on making memories on this trip. We were able to get a AAA discount at the Pop Century for $77/night including tax for a preferred room.

 

[mickeymousefan]

Our trip the beginning of December last year was a combo christmas and DD's third birthday gift. We still got them toys, clothes etc to to put under the christmas tree but it was mostly small inexpensive items.. They don't know how much stuff costs, they just like having things to unwrap. DD's 3 B-day was the same, we had a very small party and didn't spend a lot on gifts.
Our trip in Jan will be Christmas and other DD's third B-day combo. DD doesnt turn three until April but because I am in school it was either Jan or May and I want one last trip with her free.

As part of their christmas gifts this year I am giving them Disney Dollars to spend on our trip in January. This will come from money already in our budget as spending money, but they will think it is from Santa and think its great.

 

[Jana49]

Surely no on would think of slamming you for being a practical mom!

I think it's a very good idea! Gives kids the correct assumption that they can't always have EVERYTHING!! You are teaching them a valuable tool for later in life and I applaud you for that. Also, for smaller gifts throughout the year, we give Disney Dollars. They get excited with those, thinking of just what they will buy with them, lol.

Do what is right for your family and your budget. Most of all, have fun!!

 

[kashkdz]

We're trying to start a tradition where we go to DW during the time near our birthdays. Because our family's birthdays are one in Sept, three in Oct, and one in December, we try to go during this time. Instead of having big birthdays for the kids, and lots of presents that they, for the most part don't really need, we have a small party with a few friends and then splurge on a DW vacation. It's such a nice feeling being in DW celebrating the all our birthdays. Usually we let each child pick the restaurant for dinner to have a very special birthday celebration. This year we're still debating on whether to go to DW or not, though next year we plan on spending 10 days at our new home at SSR during October!

 

[luv2vacation]

For birthday and Christmas my family started giving the kids Disney dollars. This sure helped out with the cost of our trip.

 

[sweetheart2576]

We go to WDW in August every year for my kids birthday. We have a small party for them with just family and 1 or 2 friends each, usually at home, a park, or pizza hut(cheap bday parties). We do get them a gift or 2 but nothing expensive and clothes which are needed anyways, and the kids don't mind. So i don'at believe there is nothing wrong with that.

 

[Disney_1derland]

knows that this is our christmas present. Of course she also knows that we are each getting one gift at WDW that Mickey will send to us for Christmas and she'll get clothes and a "Santa" gift. But she knows that is ALL she is getting. This is not a bad thing at all, she's very practical about it and looking forward to sending Mickey her "wish list" LOL

Mickey is the new Santa in our house

 

[deltachi8]

My DS son and I started atradition when he was four of going away together for his birthday (well, around that time) and, well, what better place to go than the World? This will be a third trip together to DW (we also made a couple to Canada's Wonderland). The trip is usually considered his birthday present from me, this year he also gets a Pal Mickey to bring along (shhh its still a secret.)

 

[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 $$$?

 

[KristiKelly]

Starting this year, and we have told the kids as well, we are going to cut way back on the gifts & go on a trip each year. DS7 wants to go to Mexico, trips there are pretty reasonable & sure beats having a bunch of junk clutter up my house (or break after 2 days). We are very much in favor of this. In 20 years, they will not remember the "OctoBlast", "SpiderMan Web Shooter", etc. but they will remember these trips. The only toys they'll get will be what Santa brings, & maybe 1 or 2 things wrapped under the tree. Last year there gift was a puppy, not a trip, but the puppy will be here for many years, unlike the toys.

 

[Sandy Feet]

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 $$$?

I totally agree with you and KristiKelly.

 

[CheapMom]

SandyFeet beat me to it! I was already cutting and pasting those comments- that is so true- we are creating consumtion monsters. Stuff, stuff, stuff- my house house is loaded with it. Who needs it.
A few small gifts along with some practical stuff (like clothes) and a trip to WDW sounds like the perfect holiday.

 

[disneymania]

that I am not a bad parent for not buying oodles & oodles of toys. My kids get way more than any child should from relatives, etc & I always feel that it almost takes away from the specialness of the holiday when it is just about unwrapping one gift after another...in the name of Christ (during Christmas) no less. I am all for creating family memories & you are right that we won't remember the spider man web shooter (what a waste of money) when we are older. It is the time with our family that means the most.
Thanks for responding & I hope all of your upcoming trips are special with your loved ones!!!

 

[HenDuck]

My mom just offered to take all of us (her, my dad, my bro, me, DH, and DS) to DL for our Christmas presents! Yeeeehaaa!

She also said she would pay for DS' DL tickets as his birthday present (October baby).

None of us really NEED anything and she figured the amount she would spend on our airfare is the same that she normally spends on us at Christmas anyway (my parents are very generous!).

When I look around my house and see all the toys that DS has, I realize that he doesn't need anymore! But the memories that we create when we go to Disney are priceless and last a lifetime!

 

[mrsboz]

I totally agree with all of you. My kids have soooo much junk it is ridiculous. I don't buy them anything except for birthdays and Christmas but it still adds up. A couple of my friends and I have started giving the kids money for their birthdays instead of "junk". I have different amounts for different friends just depending on what we have decided to "swap". I make my kids put their money in the bank. It is not intended to buy more junk. We also give the kids disney money on these special ocassions. The tooth fairy has also been known to give disney dollars. The kids also feel good about seeing their bank account grow. I tell them that one day they will want to buy a house, a car, help with college - something and that they will need the money.

 

[Sammy]

Yup....decided the kids don't need yet another CD or toy under the tree, so we are spending the $$ on a family vacation during Feb. school break. The kids know we are going on the cruise and I've told them Christmas will be very light on "stuff" as the cruise is our "gift of family time" to each other. This may actually be the start of a wonderful family tradition!!!

Sammy

 

[debbiedana]

For Christmas last year, DD4 got several small, inexpensive things from Santa (many trip-related things, including stuff for the plane ride). From Mommy and Daddy, she opened one big box with the Disney Travel video, a countdown chain, five Disney Dollars, and a note that said "You're going to Disney World!". She had also gotten mounds of presents the night b4 on xmas eve, and was on her way to my mom's for more mounds of presents.

Guess what her favorite present was. Six days with Mommy and Grandma in the happiest place on earth.

 

[mollyo-nh]

When my dd was 10, her best friend moved to another state - half way across the country. That year, her mom and I asked the girls if they would rather have a big Christmas - or just get a few things at Christmas and then meet up at WDW and spend a week there over Feb vacation. Both girls jumped at the chance to see eachother again - and in Disney! We kept Christmas small and dd understood it was because of the trip. When we went in Feb, my daughter said being at Disney with her best friend was the "most awesome present ever"

 

[sarahsmom73]

When we decided over a year ago to spend this past Easter at WDW dh and I planned that it would be our bday presents as well as Chirstmas. father's and mother's day gifts as well... It was well worth it... e spent much less and thought much more about the gifts we did give to family... It was a very good thing as I am much mor in tune with shopping sales etc... I am finding it increasingly difficult to pay "rack" rate for anything these days..

Now we are planning to do Christmas 2005 with my brother and parents... It should be a wonderful gift for us all! Can't wait for all of the memories!