Anyone go overboard buying souvenirs??

[millerette]

Well, our trip in 2004, we brought home a VERY expensive souvenir - she's 7 now.

Our last trip (March 2011) - it had been seven years since we'd been to WDW. It was our (then) DD6 and DS9mos's first trips, and DS8 hadn't been there since he was 15 months old - so, in essence, his first trip as well. We kinda went crazy - for us, anyway. I don't spend money at home all that much. DH bought nothing - to balance out the rest of us crazies. I came home with a key chain, two ornaments and a sweatshirt and matching fabric tote/purse. That is a LOT for me. Kids each got $70 to spend ($10/day) - well, the older two, the baby didn't care much. I really can't remember all that they bought, other than the build-a-lightsaber and a few pins, and my DD bought some fun jewelry.

My favorite souvenir was this: http://www.disneystore.com/ornaments-seasonal-home-decor-mouseketeer-mickey-mouse-ear-hat-ornament/mp/1293535/1000344/ and also a princess pink version of it, for $6 each. Instead of hanging them on my tree, they hang on a ribbon from my rear view mirror, and I enjoy them every single day. The rest was a waste.

This trip in February is going to be UBER budget. With that in mind, I am going to start this tradition: http://pinterest.com/pin/236720524133761029/ I am planning on making these for every vacation from here on out. When I buy a souvenir, it will be with the intention of adding it to the jar. I plan to get sand from the Poly, when we go for dinner and to watch the fireworks. Then, every day, I plan to buy a postcard from whichever park we are in, and write down all the fun things we did that day. I am going to mail them to ourselves at home, so when we get back, we can put those in the jar, too. That way, whenever we need a little "Disney Magic", we have to look no further than the shelf above the fireplace.

Super cute idea! Have fun!

 

[TyTysMommy]

I can resist buying things for myself, but I can't say no to the kids. I spend way too much on them when at any store and on vacation. I always feel guilty spending money on myself.

Last spring I realized I was slowly turning into a slob with the trendiest dressed kids. So I decided to start spending a little money on myself.

Most of the time I can come back from WDW with nothing for myself. But the kids...that's a different story.

 

[disneyfam2000]

I have always gone overboard buying souvenirs, not so much for me but for the kids. Last year I spent more than $1,000 for souvenirs for all of us oh my the tab scared me But I think next year I'm going to take it a bit easier lol yeah like that'll happen!!

 

[CathrynRose]

I'm curious, those of you whom budget souvenier money - how much do you budget?

I'm curious where I'm falling.

I spend (what would probably be considered) too much. I always come home with 2 new perfumes (it's now a tradition) No longer is one of them Laila, as I order that directly from the website. But I pick out something in Italy and in France. I end up with a lipgloss, or 2, from France, as well. I end up with some cool jewelry from Morocco, always.

Then you've got the standard shirt (or 2) bag (or 2). I rent a car which makes outlet mall trips too easy (and fun). And because of this, my travelling partner son gets a new pair of Nikes, each year. And he also inherited my sick, perfume (cologne) habit - so he gets a new one (or 2) too.

I'm curious what you guys budget, per day, for this? Or do you do it as a total?

 

[disneyfam2000]

I'm curious, those of you whom budget souvenier money - how much do you budget?

I'm curious where I'm falling.

I spend (what would probably be considered) too much. I always come home with 2 new perfumes (it's now a tradition) No longer is one of them Laila, as I order that directly from the website. But I pick out something in Italy and in France. I end up with a lipgloss, or 2, from France, as well. I end up with some cool jewelry from Morocco, always.

Then you've got the standard shirt (or 2) bag (or 2). I rent a car which makes outlet mall trips too easy (and fun). And because of this, my travelling partner son gets a new pair of Nikes, each year. And he also inherited my sick, perfume (cologne) habit - so he gets a new one (or 2) too.

I'm curious what you guys budget, per day, for this? Or do you do it as a total?

I shop til my wallet drops lol!! that's what costs me so much money but I can't help it if Disney is irresistible!!

 

[SplashMo]

Our first trip DW and I dropped $1200 in souvenirs. We bought for everyone at home etc...

Now we have a family and each child gets $35.00 per person... (they usually earn it in some fashion)

We shop only on the last day. DW and I usually pass on the souvenirs however we sometimes get the promotional bag for $15.00 or so...

 

[ilovepete]

I let the kids pick one thing each, and then I usually buy a Christmas ornament. Sometimes we will get a shirt or hat or something like that, but for the most part, we don't get too much. But we go pretty often (2 or so actual vacations, a few overnights, and a few day trips a year) so we don't need much. The actual vacations are usually when we buy souvenirs.

 

[disneyfam2000]

Well, our trip in 2004, we brought home a VERY expensive souvenir - she's 7 now.

Our last trip (March 2011) - it had been seven years since we'd been to WDW. It was our (then) DD6 and DS9mos's first trips, and DS8 hadn't been there since he was 15 months old - so, in essence, his first trip as well. We kinda went crazy - for us, anyway. I don't spend money at home all that much. DH bought nothing - to balance out the rest of us crazies. I came home with a key chain, two ornaments and a sweatshirt and matching fabric tote/purse. That is a LOT for me. Kids each got $70 to spend ($10/day) - well, the older two, the baby didn't care much. I really can't remember all that they bought, other than the build-a-lightsaber and a few pins, and my DD bought some fun jewelry.

My favorite souvenir was this: http://www.disneystore.com/ornament...ey-mouse-ear-hat-ornament/mp/1293535/1000344/ and also a princess pink version of it, for $6 each. Instead of hanging them on my tree, they hang on a ribbon from my rear view mirror, and I enjoy them every single day. The rest was a waste.

This trip in February is going to be UBER budget. With that in mind, I am going to start this tradition: http://pinterest.com/pin/236720524133761029/ I am planning on making these for every vacation from here on out. When I buy a souvenir, it will be with the intention of adding it to the jar. I plan to get sand from the Poly, when we go for dinner and to watch the fireworks. Then, every day, I plan to buy a postcard from whichever park we are in, and write down all the fun things we did that day. I am going to mail them to ourselves at home, so when we get back, we can put those in the jar, too. That way, whenever we need a little "Disney Magic", we have to look no further than the shelf above the fireplace.

Cute idea love it!! And it will make my wallet more happy!!!

 

[SaraJayne]

Not guilty!

I'm a pretty critical shopper when I'm at home and it doesn't change when I'm at Disney. I always ask myself, "How will I get this home?", "Where will I keep it when I get home?", "How often will I use this once it gets home?", "Can I get this same thing at home for less?" and "How happy will this purchase make me a month from now?"

Agreed on all counts. I usually spend less than $150 on souvenirs for the week.

 

[Elleshoodat]

I'm curious, those of you whom budget souvenier money - how much do you budget?

I'm curious where I'm falling.

I spend (what would probably be considered) too much. I always come home with 2 new perfumes (it's now a tradition) No longer is one of them Laila, as I order that directly from the website. But I pick out something in Italy and in France. I end up with a lipgloss, or 2, from France, as well. I end up with some cool jewelry from Morocco, always.

Then you've got the standard shirt (or 2) bag (or 2). I rent a car which makes outlet mall trips too easy (and fun). And because of this, my travelling partner son gets a new pair of Nikes, each year. And he also inherited my sick, perfume (cologne) habit - so he gets a new one (or 2) too.

I'm curious what you guys budget, per day, for this? Or do you do it as a total?

Our budget is $150. We allocate $50 each for myself, DH and DS, but in reality some of our budget goes toward gifts for family and friends back home.

I'm with you -- I like the idea of souvenirs like perfume or jewelry from the shops in World Showcase.

I cannot imagine spending upwards of $1,000 on souvenirs. That's the total cost of some of our trips!

 

[disneyfam2000]

Agreed on all counts. I usually spend less than $150 on souvenirs for the week.

Great way to look at it!! Never thought of that way.