Budget for souvenirs

[natb213]

So we are trying to put together a budget for souvenirs for our trip that is coming in August
This is our first time at Disney and we just don't know how much things cost there. We have a 9 year old that we know will be asking for everything under the sun so we want to mitigate some of that by getting him a gift card with a set amount that he can spend. We're just not sure what amount is fair for him to get a couple of things for himself. Thanks for any guidance.

 

[asmit4]

I think this really depends on what you can afford. Personally- I'd go with two $25 gift cards. 1 for the 1st half of the trip and one for the 2nd half. Some may say 20 bucks- others may say 100 or more.

 

[LadyRayado]

I limit myself to a $50 gift card as well. That's usually enough to cover a shirt, coffee mug, ornament, a few niknaks, or some combination of them. I would love to spend hundreds of dollars on stuff, but I know most of it will just go in a closet when I get home.

I like the split card idea, so he doesn't run out of money the first day.

 

[csmith1004]

My budget included $120 for all 4 of us a set of Mickey Ears, $80 for a Christmas ornament for each of us (the kids tend to pick the most expensive in the store!) then $100 for "misc" typically split $25 for each of us.

 

[CharmedLife]

I give each child $50 for the week, and just keep a running tally. They get to keep any $$ left over at the end of the week. It's amazing how much they have to decide if they REALLY want that stuffed animal or spinning light thing when they know they could keep the cash instead once they get home... They almost never spend all of the money.

My kids have to take every "ask" out of that - slushies at Goofy's candy store, souvenirs, etc. Although I usually allow them each one t-shirt "on mom" for the week since they apparently insist on continuing to grow out of last year's shirts...

Biggest bonus for me - no more begging on their part for this stuff, they know that if they want it they can get it as long as it comes out of their "Mom Checking Account".

 

[1stvisit0909]

we do $50 on a gift card for each kid, to spend how they like.
If they have saved up any of their on money and want to take it, they can.
(one kid does, the other doesnt).
Last trip, since it was Christmas, they also got a gift card from their grandparents. And a gift card for BBB as a Christmas present.

They spend so much more wisely when it has a limit. ha.


DH and I don't spend much on souvenirs, usually a new coffee cup and a christmas ornament. Memory Maker is the one we'd rather have.

 

[disneycraz]

So we are trying to put together a budget for souvenirs for our trip that is coming in August
This is our first time at Disney and we just don't know how much things cost there. We have a 9 year old that we know will be asking for everything under the sun so we want to mitigate some of that by getting him a gift card with a set amount that he can spend. We're just not sure what amount is fair for him to get a couple of things for himself. Thanks for any guidance.

I'd say 50-100 dollar gift card. Souvenirs are VERY expensive...It goes really quick.

 

[Saimaeve]

I do $50 a day on a gift card per person.

But I only have 1 child.

 

[lanejudy]

We split it up by day for DD -- each morning she gets $5 or $10 per day depending on length of stay. DD then has a choice to spend a little each day or save it for something more expensive.

I think the biggest decision is determining how much total to allocate, and that's going to depend on your own personal budget and spending habits. Me - I can get by with $25/$30 in souvenirs, probably with some left over; DH easily spends $100 or more. DD would literally buy the world if we'd let her!

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[tsme]

We give our DD a $50 limit. It does help to make her stop & think if she really wants something. But to be honest, I do tend to go over that every year

 

[Sharpdisney]

This was an interesting thread to read, thanks for lots of nice ideas.
My DS will only be 5 when we go, so its hard to apply all of these concepts.
I think I like that idea of a small amount of money each day; I don't think he can understand walking away from a toy on Monday so he can have more money on Friday. But he could manage to spend his daily allowance and then not buy anything else that day.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

My husband and I charged $250 to our room last year, but that included tips at our table service meals. We were on the regular dining plan. I bought two Christmas ornaments, two picture frames, three shirts, and one small stuffed animal.

My daughter also spent about $40 from her piggy bank. She bought two stuffed animals.