Can you find cheap gifts for classmates in WDW?

[onescgirl]

OK, I think I am totally cursed when it comes to me posting a question on Disboards. I don't know how my question turned into this.

Simple. I like to give. Always have. Always will.

I have always liked giving to friends, family, coworkers.
I'm a teacher to adults. I give small gifts to them, whether is candy, bringing in bagels, etc..

I just remembered a co-worker gave us all a Valentines pencil from the $ store on Valentines Day. I use it in my office everyday. I thought it was sweet of her. It never occurred of me to think of it as junk, cheap, not-picked-specifically-for-me. And, totally, crazy OT, it has been sharpening fine for me since Feb. Not arguing if a pencil sharpens well or not, I'm just saying .

I LOVE going into the school reading books & giving treats that go along w/story. I LOVE sending in treats/toys/crafts/whatever at holidays. Kids are only kids once.
The kids know my DH & I. We are actively involved with school. Last year the teacher showed me a essay one of the poorest student in the class wrote about me & DH. He loved when we came in to class. He was not jealous or thought anything we did was stupid. That makes it all worth while.

Will there be a child that is jealous of a WDW trip, I don't know. They are old enough to know where my DS & DD are when they are out for a week. IF one is jealous it will happen no matter what. Giving a small, tiny treat/gift will not cause it.

Some people are givers, some are takers, some are both.
I don't think it's wrong no matter which one you are.
But, I want to teach my kids to be givers.

What I do think is wrong is being rude.

I posted a question asking for ideas of cheap gifts to get (that I can afford). I appreciate all the answers. I loved the ideas of food to get for class to share. I'll be on the lookout for those pretzels & Epcot food.
The suckers are a awesome idea. I coach DD volleyball team & I think that and/or stickers would be great idea for them.

I did not ask if you would want me to, or if you would do it, or if your child would think it's stupid, or if you think it's necessary.
If you want to say that, fine, but I think you should start your own thread stating that you think bringing classmates a gift is stupid, unnecessary, filling up landfills, or whatever.

No one should be rude & OT on someone else question.

 

[kaywoody]

No one should be rude & OT on someone else question.

Amen!


When we go I let my girls pick something for their 3 or 4 friends that they hang out with the most and they give them when they see them next.

I don't get stuff for the class, because the last two times we've taken 2 days from school. I'm a teacher, so it's a little hard for me to justify even to myself that it's OK to miss school. I ask my kids to keep it low key (but certainly not a secret), because it's not nice to remind their classmates that they are off having fun in Florida while everyone is doing math (although we have to make it up too).

Last year we put together a photo journal for my daughter's 2nd grade class of "The Adventures of Gloria", a beanie baby that was the class mascot. Gloria got to go along with us, so we took pictures everywhere and make a scrapbook when we returned.

Lucky Gloria got to go to Egypt with the teacher this summer! Did that make my daughter sad because she didn't get to go to Egypt? No, she wants to go there someday too because of the cool pictures of Gloria and her teacher.

I think kids are smarter than we give them credit for. My kids know that we have more than some families, but less than other families. It always enough to say "not this year... maybe in the future".

 

[maddiesmom0116]

Last year we put together a photo journal for my daughter's 2nd grade class of "The Adventures of Gloria", a beanie baby that was the class mascot. Gloria got to go along with us, so we took pictures everywhere and make a scrapbook when we returned.

Lucky Gloria got to go to Egypt with the teacher this summer! Did that make my daughter sad because she didn't get to go to Egypt? No, she wants to go there someday too because of the cool pictures of Gloria and her teacher.

I think kids are smarter than we give them credit for. My kids know that we have more than some families, but less than other families. It always enough to say "not this year... maybe in the future".

I love the class mascot idea - how adorable! You can always say the mascot brought back treats to the class as well, instead of DD if you wanted to.

ps. My DD6 wants to go to Egypt more then anywhere and no beanie baby was involved.

 

[hambirg]

onescgirl

Don't let those ungrateful folks get you down. I'm like you. . .I just love giving. I think it's great that you give like you do and that you have passed that spirit on to your kids! It's a joy that unfortunately some people's kids will never experience.

 

[disneymarie]

I can't read all the pages, but has anyone asked why one would want to bring back gifts for the class? What is the purpose of giving a gift from your vacation to the class? Plus I have 3 kids.

Honestly it would never occur to me, but we don't buy much for ourselves (by choice). I'm not a present person and the thought of having to provide gifts for 20+(times 3) people for really no reason would be stressful and so not fun!

agree

 

[kimsmarkin]

I thought it would be nice if you have something in return classmates.I not want to spend a lot of $ at all, so do not know if it's possible. One idea I had was Disney pens. Does anyone know if a place that sells cheap WDW packages of pens or not anyone have any other ideas for something cheap?

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I can't read all the pages, but has anyone asked why one would want to bring back gifts for the class? What is the purpose of giving a gift from your vacation to the class? Plus I have 3 kids.

Honestly it would never occur to me, but we don't buy much for ourselves (by choice). I'm not a present person and the thought of having to provide gifts for 20+(times 3) people for really no reason would be stressful and so not fun!

Its a common practice here
Kids like to give gifts.

And to the person whose daughter used to get sad that she wasn't traveling - that is just life. There are always those who have more, and some who have less. Kinda silly to spend time thinking of what others do,

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

OP, I am with you. I am actually weird cause at Christmas I like to sit and watch everyone open their gifts (from me and from others) but I feel very uncomfortable opening my own (not so much from DH or the kids, but from other people.) I am a GS leader and I have one mom who works for a florist. Every Christmas and at the end of the year she gives me a floral arrangement in the current FTD Disney vace. I absolutely love them but I turn red when I get them. Not sure why, but I agree, giving a gift, treat or trinket brings me joy as well.

And remember, of all the people who answered here most thought it was nice, and even the ones who questioned it or said don't bother, only one seemed to be upset by it and you can't please everyone.

 

[acomasdiaz]

OP ~

I am right there with you. I LOVE giving gifts. When we go to WDW, I always ask my DD if she wants to take something back to her class and/or teacher. Last year, we brought back a big box of cookies that the teacher gave to the kids. We also brought back some for the teacher as well as her assistant. This year, my DD didn't want to bring something back to the class as we had just donated a large box of snacks (per her teacher's wish list) but she did want to bring a bag of those chocolate coins for her teacher.

As a kid, I loved bringing gifts to my classmates and that has passed on to my DD. We love making things for her classmates and she loves their faces when they get them. We would hope that none of the parents would think our gifts were a burden but we can't help it if unfortunately they do feel that way.

I worked in a University until recently and I always brought little gifts for my staff whether professional staff or student workers and they also always seemed to appreciate it. MOST people DO appreciate the thought.

I think it's great that you care about people enough to bring them something when you're on your vacation. More power to you...

 

[Michelle and crew]

OK, I think I am totally cursed when it comes to me posting a question on Disboards. I don't know how my question turned into this.

Simple. I like to give. Always have. Always will.

I have always liked giving to friends, family, coworkers.
I'm a teacher to adults. I give small gifts to them, whether is candy, bringing in bagels, etc..

I just remembered a co-worker gave us all a Valentines pencil from the $ store on Valentines Day. I use it in my office everyday. I thought it was sweet of her. It never occurred of me to think of it as junk, cheap, not-picked-specifically-for-me. And, totally, crazy OT, it has been sharpening fine for me since Feb. Not arguing if a pencil sharpens well or not, I'm just saying .

I LOVE going into the school reading books & giving treats that go along w/story. I LOVE sending in treats/toys/crafts/whatever at holidays. Kids are only kids once.
The kids know my DH & I. We are actively involved with school. Last year the teacher showed me a essay one of the poorest student in the class wrote about me & DH. He loved when we came in to class. He was not jealous or thought anything we did was stupid. That makes it all worth while.

Will there be a child that is jealous of a WDW trip, I don't know. They are old enough to know where my DS & DD are when they are out for a week. IF one is jealous it will happen no matter what. Giving a small, tiny treat/gift will not cause it.

Some people are givers, some are takers, some are both.
I don't think it's wrong no matter which one you are.
But, I want to teach my kids to be givers.

What I do think is wrong is being rude.

I posted a question asking for ideas of cheap gifts to get (that I can afford). I appreciate all the answers. I loved the ideas of food to get for class to share. I'll be on the lookout for those pretzels & Epcot food.
The suckers are a awesome idea. I coach DD volleyball team & I think that and/or stickers would be great idea for them.

I did not ask if you would want me to, or if you would do it, or if your child would think it's stupid, or if you think it's necessary.
If you want to say that, fine, but I think you should start your own thread stating that you think bringing classmates a gift is stupid, unnecessary, filling up landfills, or whatever.

No one should be rude & OT on someone else question.

Don't let it worry you. Have a lovely trip. Enjoy yourself, and bring back a treat. The extremes always turn up on the internet. It gives the arena for their soapbox. (And we all have them.)

 

[Planogirl]

I'd never even heard of this giving gifts from vacation thing until I saw it on the DIS. It seems harmless so what's the fuss?

We have received little trinkets because of holidays though. Like I said earlier, just graciously say thank you and you can keep or dispose of whatever it is later if you need to. There's no reason to be rude.

 

[IWannaBeAPrincess]

Some of these responses really have me thinking. I would never give a gift for any other reason than to let the kids know that we were thinking about them while we were gone. Giving a gift, no matter how small, is genuine, and has no ulterior motive. Even for spring & fall breaks we bring back presents... Almost always the Mickey pretzels because they are peanut free, sometimes the Mickey stickers, and a few times *gasp* Mickey pencils or suckers...

Maybe you could ask the teacher before you go, if he/she thinks that a gift is appropriate. Find out if there is a class gift that would be better, a book, or a CD for quiet time, a board game? (all would be about the same price as the individual gifts)

I know that we've also learned some info about a few countries, and went back to share that with the class, and we brought back postcards/pictures/snack from the countries to make it a yummy, thoughtful AND educational experience

 

[tink1969]

OK, I think I am totally cursed when it comes to me posting a question on Disboards. I don't know how my question turned into this.

Simple. I like to give. Always have. Always will.

I have always liked giving to friends, family, coworkers.
I'm a teacher to adults. I give small gifts to them, whether is candy, bringing in bagels, etc..

I just remembered a co-worker gave us all a Valentines pencil from the $ store on Valentines Day. I use it in my office everyday. I thought it was sweet of her. It never occurred of me to think of it as junk, cheap, not-picked-specifically-for-me. And, totally, crazy OT, it has been sharpening fine for me since Feb. Not arguing if a pencil sharpens well or not, I'm just saying .

I LOVE going into the school reading books & giving treats that go along w/story. I LOVE sending in treats/toys/crafts/whatever at holidays. Kids are only kids once.
The kids know my DH & I. We are actively involved with school. Last year the teacher showed me a essay one of the poorest student in the class wrote about me & DH. He loved when we came in to class. He was not jealous or thought anything we did was stupid. That makes it all worth while.

Will there be a child that is jealous of a WDW trip, I don't know. They are old enough to know where my DS & DD are when they are out for a week. IF one is jealous it will happen no matter what. Giving a small, tiny treat/gift will not cause it.

Some people are givers, some are takers, some are both.
I don't think it's wrong no matter which one you are.
But, I want to teach my kids to be givers.

What I do think is wrong is being rude.

I posted a question asking for ideas of cheap gifts to get (that I can afford). I appreciate all the answers. I loved the ideas of food to get for class to share. I'll be on the lookout for those pretzels & Epcot food.
The suckers are a awesome idea. I coach DD volleyball team & I think that and/or stickers would be great idea for them.

I did not ask if you would want me to, or if you would do it, or if your child would think it's stupid, or if you think it's necessary.
If you want to say that, fine, but I think you should start your own thread stating that you think bringing classmates a gift is stupid, unnecessary, filling up landfills, or whatever.

No one should be rude & OT on someone else question.

Well said!