Can you find cheap gifts for classmates in WDW?

[tigger51276]

When my oldest was in daycare I'd always bring back a family sized bag of mickey pretzels and the mickey head shaped cheese crackers (they are like Goldfish crackers) for all the kids to eat for snacks. The bags are a good sized and since there were only 6 of them, they would last about a week and they loved it!
Last year my oldest was in Kindergarten and I took her out for a little over a week for her b-day trip and brought home a pencil for each child, stickers and a bag each of the pretzels and crackers for the teacher to use as she saw fit (she gave it to them at snack time and saved the rest for when a kid forgot their snack). We also picked out a nice mug and keychain for her teacher. For my youngest for daycare, I did the pretzels and crackers. All in all I think I spent maybe $30-35. I thought that was pretty good. If you don't want to spend much, I think a pack of 12 pencils in the World of Disney are $2.95 and the pretzels and crackers are either $2.95 or 3.95. The kids loved getting a little something and the pencils I think are always a good idea as kids are always losing their pencils at school. I had several parents thank me at the playground for thinking of the kids.
This year we did our trip before school started (we came home the day before school started) and so didn't do class presents although my DD6 really wanted to. Instead we got her BFF a present (and a small present for her bff's twin brother). They have some really cute BFF necklaces (for 2 or 3) in different shapes/patterns and then we got a couple of magic towels. Honestly I think I paid around $25 for just 2 kids as opposed to $35 for 21 kids last year!

 

[PatMcDuck]

What is the problem with those Dollar store pencils? It is like the lead is inside in small pieces. I forgot how horrible they are, they are really un-usable.

I admit, I like the food from the Epcot countries idea, for the class to learn something, or stuff from Kennedy Space Center, or a museum visited on vacation. That seems more appealing than Mickey stickers. When I was a kid, I loved those polished little rocks they have at some museum gift shops, they were gems of some sort (not valuable). (I was somewhat science geeky in my interests).

Interesting discussion!

 

[MPwifey]

I want to say that I LOVE the idea of a classroom gift or a classroom snack. I understand allergies and all that but maybe you could see if anyone in the class has allergies?

I really do not like the idea of only giving out a couple small gifts because have you ever seen the face a child who realizes that they are not someone's close friend? It is sad, and they do not understand- my mom only had enough money for such and such. Just a thought. If one of my families went on vacation and wanted to brign back something for the children our class would love it.

 

[SalandJeff]

We have done the lollipops and chocolate coins, along with a Mickey sticker. I really like the class gift idea. When dd was in daycare, we brought back a Disney coloring book for each of the kids that I got at the Disney outlet that is near WDW. If you are going to the outlets at all, you might want to check there first. I have not had luck there with class gifts other years, but you never know.

 

[disneymarie]

1st grade public school teacher chiming in

Many of these suggestions have me shaking my head because at my school the following are forbidden:

1) bringing SillyBandz to school
2) distributing candy (so there goes the chocolate coins & suckers)

Personally, I would discourage you from getting the other students anything, as it's not necessary and (not sure of the kids ages) but many will just end up on the floor and not make it into their backpacks anyway....but if you feel you must bring the class something, go with the STICKERS.

I agree with the teacher, I do not think it is necessary.
But one thing to add. When we could not go to Disney and other kids would bring in the gifts it was depressing to dd. It would be many years until we could go back and each time a gift was brought in opened a new wound.

We never brought anything back and kept it low key about the trip, just a family vacation.
Many families around our area had industry leave, loss of their parents jobs, they have lost homes and moving back to live with family to provide for their kids.

I would have a cup of various pensils from the dollar store and just have it in the cup on the teachers desk if anyone would like one on the way out, not even mention a student brought them as a Disney treat.

 

[Ericandjenng]

I had forgotten we did the classroom gift to the teacher on a non-Disney trip. We took an Alaskan cruise when my DS was in pre-k so he picked out a book with an Alaskan theme and gave it to his teacher. Not only did his class get to share it, she gets to continue to use it year after year.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I honestly never thought of giving a little something to each kid as a bad thing, not sure how I feel about it now having just read it. I can see the other side but at the same time when we pull the kids out from school for the trip and the teacher always asks the kids to keep a journal and then share it with the class so keeping it quiet never happens.

Anyway, to answer the OP's question. You can get the Mickey crazy straws for $.50 each, those are fun. Also, one time when DD wanted to bring back something for all her GS friends (then it spread to the other 2 wanting to as well) we got the Mickey ice cream bar Mr. Potato Head pieces (you can fill with regualr pieces and then stuff as many as you need in with the box.) I hot glued a magnet on the back and the kids gave those out to their GS friends. We still have a few on our fridge.

Food is not allowed in our elementary schools (though it is in MS and HS.) My DD15the last couple years got some cookies and candies and stuff from Mexico to share with her spanish class. That was a lot of fun.

 

[crisi]

Please don't bring it back for the sake of my child. I have enough crap in my house. Also, this isn't a tradition around here, and I really don't need my kids deciding they need to bring something back every time we travel.

Something for the classroom sounds great.

 

[ceecee]

OK... REALLY?? I am really sorry, but first off, I really don't want ANYTHING from your vacation...second off, if you are really considering going to the dollar store instead of actually buying it on vacation..please don't bother at all!

VERY RUDE response!

 

[kacaju]

VERY RUDE response!

And why is that so rude, may I ask.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Just to clarify, again, when I said DD brought back small gifts for a few close friends, this was done outside of school, while on a playdate or something. And these girls were not really young kids, they were 10 years and up. So they did not run into school the next day saying "look what Mary bought ME because we are best friends....." I could see little ones saying and doing that though.

 

[pixiewings71]

Dollar Tree had a 10 pk of Disney pencils for $1, much more if you buy them at Disney!

IME these break easily, I used to buy them for my girls to use but stopped because they broke all the time.

Yes, I agree. Get a little gift for their close friends and forget a class gift.

This is what we do, we just let the girls pick something small for around $5 for their friends. We then give the gifts outside of school, we do not take them to class to pass them out, well DD14 could now but I wouldn't let DD10pass them out in class.

First of all.... I can't believe how petty and rude some of these comments are! A gift for each of your childs classmates is a VERY nice gesture. Of all the years my DD has been in Elementary school.... whenever a student goes on vacation they always bring a little something special for all the kids. My friend is a teacher at an elementary school and even she brings back little gifts for her students. It usually ends up being the suckers or chocolate coins and all of my DD's teachers let her take time to "share" her trip with the class... my friend does the same thing with her classroom! As for buying gifts just for your child's closest friend?? I know that other kids DO find out and there IS hurt feelings. Kids don't keep secrets well and it will cause more of a problem. I think I saw someone say that the teacher sends along a few fun things to do, which is what all of my DD's teachers did for her and she had to report back to the class what she had to do with her activity sheets. I'd say if you have the extra money and you want to buy each classmate a little gift, by all means go for it! All the kids will the gift!!! Enjoy your trip !

If the OP wants to get something she will, but I'm with the "rude" people on this one. Honestly I would rather not get something from someone else's vacation, I'd rather not have more "stuff" cluttering up the house.

VERY RUDE response!

Not rude, honest. She told you her feelings which are the same as mine really, I would prefer not to have goodies from someone else's vacation, but maybe we are in the minority. I just know how I feel and I agree with her.


OP find out if you can do candy, then as other's suggested do the Unicorn suckers or chocolate coins. I like those ideas best.

 

[Mary•Poppins]

We got free stickers from a wonderful CM at the All Star Music Gift Shop. She gave my DS 5 big stickers and we told her we were in the store looking for something small to take back to his class ... she said wait one minute ... and then came back with 15 more stickers. It was a nice bit of pixie dust!

 

[Dizfan4life]

I guess I am trying to wrap my brain about how some people are thinking that giving classmates a little piece of chocolate, a small sucker, or a sticker could possibly clutter or bring "crap" to your house? Chances are???.... they'd be gone by the time your child got off the bus! OP was just asking for advice on what she wanted to give back to the class... is that honestly so wrong? Not everyone brings back little gifts, which is fine, no big deal.... I just don't understand why some PP have to be so rude in their replies ?

 

[crisi]

I guess I am trying to wrap my brain about how some people are thinking that giving classmates a little piece of chocolate, a small sucker, or a sticker could possibly clutter or bring "crap" to your house? Chances are???.... they'd be gone by the time your child got off the bus! OP was just asking for advice on what she wanted to give back to the class... is that honestly so wrong? Not everyone brings back little gifts, which is fine, no big deal.... I just don't understand why some PP have to be so rude in their replies ?

I limit my kids candy - so the sucker or chocolate are unwelcome. Particularly the sucker (those are REALLY limited, bad for your teeth). The sticker gets stuck to things I don't want it to get stuck to - walls, car windows. Little stuff - pencils and that sort of thing, create clutter. Thanks for the thought, but don't expect thanks for the actual object - you are actually giving me and my kids a burden.

 

[Dizfan4life]

I limit my kids candy - so the sucker or chocolate are unwelcome. Particularly the sucker (those are REALLY limited, bad for your teeth). The sticker gets stuck to things I don't want it to get stuck to - walls, car windows. Little stuff - pencils and that sort of thing, create clutter. Thanks for the thought, but don't expect thanks for the actual object - you are actually giving me and my kids a burden.

That's is totally fine.. I limit my kids candy too, but I know for a fact that they get a TON of goodies that get eaten at school from birthday treats and I have no control over that one... those kids eat up them treats so fast my head spins ! I am just having a hard time wondering why some PP have to come across so rude in their replies - not only on this post but on several posts?? Why not keep the replies simple and sweet? It sure would be nice to see that once in a while, but I guess some people will just get rubbed wrong by different situations...

 

[Dizfan4life]

Just to clarify, again, when I said DD brought back small gifts for a few close friends, this was done outside of school, while on a playdate or something. And these girls were not really young kids, they were 10 years and up. So they did not run into school the next day saying "look what Mary bought ME because we are best friends....." I could see little ones saying and doing that though.

Oh, I tried that too and the word still got back to school... ugghh! I guess kids will be kids, huh? It was very sad to see on my DD's friend go back to school and brag, that is not what I wanted and I'm thinking I might not do that again.... DD was SO excited to give her friends a little bracelet - wrong thing to do I guess.

 

[daisyduck123]

That's is totally fine.. I limit my kids candy too, but I know for a fact that they get a TON of goodies that get eaten at school from birthday treats and I have no control over that one... those kids eat up them treats so fast my head spins !

The elementary schools around here are not allowed to have treats of ANY kind...not for birthdays, or even for the TWO class parties (Halloween and Valentines Day) that we are allowed to have each year. Yes, we have a Halloween party w/o any candy - we can have pretzels, veggie trays, & Goldfish crackers.

There hasn't been a piece of candy in my classroom in over 5 years. If someone were to bring in candy to distribute, I would have to send it back home with him/her & a note to mom and dad reminding them of our "no candy" policy.

 

[pintamino]

when I was in elementary school... which feels really long ago now that I'm in my last year of college scared1 my class really liked the time I brought back "freeze dried ice cream" (astronaut food?) from the Kennedy Space Center.

This summer my best friend studied in Italy and brought me back a beautiful pashmina, but I was the only one she brought a gift so I had to go over early to pick it up, etc... and we're 20-some years old. I imagine there would be quite a few hurt feelings amongst the younger kids.

I went to DC on spring break this year with my mom and brought my favorite professor a mug from the Newseum... I had an A in her class so I was not trying to suck up, but I think nice gifts are always appreciated and I'm glad my mom instilled that in me from a young age!

 

[nboicepardee]

I once saw these really cool dice with mickey ears (i think) instead of dots. that would be a great class gift for some grades that use them with math lessons.