AP for Christmas?

[MommaoffherRocker]

So DH and I are thinking of giving AP to the kids ( 8, 5, 4, 2 and 8m) for Xmas instead of presents, I am just tired of giving them toys and then a month later they could care less about them. I thought a year of WDW whenever they want would be better and would bring us closer together. I worry about how Xmas morning would go down, would not having a present to open be horrible? We would do stocking with little toys and candy.

 

[NotTheBatesMotel]

I think, as a kid, I would be disappointed at the lack of tangible gifts to open. As an adult? I'd be elated to receive that kind of gift. How far after Christmas will their first trip be? I don't think (as a kid) I would really understand why there were no presents.

 

[HopperFan]

I think it's not a matter of spending a lot on big gifts, but just have things to open. My kids are adults now but my one DS is disabled and thinks about Christmas as a young child. It doesn't matter if he opens a 5 pack Hot Wheel set ($4.99) he is just as excited as if it were a iPod. The other two understand but he is waiting for Santa to bring him things.

We are at a point where we'd rather to something big than lots of gifts but we do enjoy xmas morning so I shop sales, online places and keep my eyes out for fun stuff. A gift might be just some crazy socks. In keeping with your Disney World theme watch for the disneystore.com clearance sales and pick up tshirts, beach towels etc when they hit that $5 range. Dollar Store sells lots of Disney stuff for $1. You can probably pull off a small pile of gifts to open for very little money and they still have the excitement of opening them.

 

[5stljayhawks]

Mom,
did you fall that hard off the rocker? Not trying to be mean but what??? AP for kids??


The 8 yo may get it, but the other are would be like "hunn, what did we do to PO Santa "

 

[Mousemommy1]

I think it's a great idea, but I would still buy some smaller gifts for the kids to open on Christmas.

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

Thanks for all your feedback, I am worried about them being upset that they didn't get presents. I think it is a great idea to get smaller Disney themed presents and that they don't have to be expensive. I have been trying to slip in the AP idea, wouldn't you guys like Santa to bring you a pass to Disney whenever you want lol, we will see if it works when it comes to list writing time.

 

[DisneyOma]

The 2 year old and 8 month old don't need park tickets, so what about them?

Seriously though - no, I don't think it is a good idea. They need to learn how to appreciate gifts though - if you can afford to go to WDW "whenever they want" and they don't appreciate things you give them, what makes you think they will appreciate going to WDW? Is there some entitlement going on, or do they just not care for what you pick out for them, or are they just not into playing with toys (running around outside with a stick is fine! - glued to electronics is not)? Would they rather be involved in activities than be at home playing by themselves, etc?

 

[Thing 1]

We much prefer to give experiences than stuff and I love the idea. I would however make the AP from you and your DH and not from Santa. I just think that's a hard sell to the kids. Does the 8 year old still believe??? He is the only one old enough to really know what kind of gifts that Santa might normally give. If he is in the know, I would get each kid a few low end items ( not WDW related) from Santa and give the AP from you guys. It would mean a lot more if you guys are going to WDW soon after Christmas. As wonderful as the tickets are, its going to mean little to a 4 year old that has no idea when 4 months away is. We keep talking about doing the APs for Christmas but just have not taken the leap. DS is getting a trip to the Great Wolf Lodge for Christmas from us this year.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I assume you live near WDW? I agree that this isn't such a great idea. Plus, are you prepared to take them whenever they want to go? I know when I was 8, I would expect to visit whenever I wanted if I got this as a gift. It might be a good idea to give fewer gifts; maybe things other than toys, such as books, craft kits, music lessons,etc.

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

we live about 2 hours away, so it won't be let's drop everything when they ask to go, and it's not that they don't appreciate the gifts they get I mean they outgrow them or their interests change overtime and DS 8 has his bday a week before and DS 5 has a bday 2 weeks after so between 2 sets of gparents, santa and us in a matter of weeks they are getting so much. The point was to create memories and be together as a family. I just don't want them to be disappointed because it won't be a typical christmas gift.

 

[DisneyOma]

we live about 2 hours away, so it won't be let's drop everything when they ask to go, and it's not that they don't appreciate the gifts they get I mean they outgrow them or their interests change overtime and DS 8 has his bday a week before and DS 5 has a bday 2 weeks after so between 2 sets of gparents, santa and us in a matter of weeks they are getting so much. The point was to create memories and be together as a family. I just don't want them to be disappointed because it won't be a typical christmas gift.

Those birthdays close to Christmas explain a lot - that is certainly gift overload! We had a friend who used to have a little birthday acknowledgement (sp?) on her birthday Dec 27th, and then had a big friend party on June 27th.

If grandparents and others are getting them gifts for Christmas, and Santa drops off something special, then APs from Mom and Dad would be fine, IMO.

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

Those birthdays close to Christmas explain a lot - that is certainly gift overload! We had a friend who used to have a little birthday acknowledgement (sp?) on her birthday Dec 27th, and then had a big friend party on June 27th.

If grandparents and others are getting them gifts for Christmas, and Santa drops off something special, then APs from Mom and Dad would be fine, IMO.

Sorry I should have said that before, it is a big reason for doing this thanks for your help