Dance recital gift ideas

[czycropper]

I have two DDs in dance and one is also in dance competition which she does a solo, duo & group dance each year (she's 10). For recitals - I just get them flowers and we go out to eat.

Their dance studio doesn't do a recital every year since they feel that one year is concentrated to actual dance technique which I absolutely LOVE since we don't have to worry about getting costumes (other than the competition costumes).

I only gave a "special" present when my DD10 won a High Gold for her solo performance at a competition last year - I got her a stuffed animal (hippo in a a tutu) so that she can put her ribbons around the animal and take to the competitions.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

My DD is alot younger (4). The first 2 years she got stuffed animals. A ballerina bear and a ballerina doll.

This year I got her a really cute ballerina purse with feathers on it. I'll probably put a little bouquet of flowers in it.

My cousins daughter is 16 and she buys her a bouquet of flowers.

 

[minniebeth]

We do flowers and then go out for ice cream. Sometimes the "old fashioned" things are the most sentimental for my kids.

 

[tycopj]

My DD had a friend in dance and her mom would get her a trophy and have something engraved on it; "Name" first recital, Great new tap dance, First Toe recital, etc. She thought it was fun because the younger brother was in sports and won trophies.

 

[Promomx2]

Boy I miss those days of dance recitals. I used to get DD flowers, balloons, trophies for special years. You could also get her a autograph animal or a autograph book to have her friends leave special messages so she'll have it to look back on.

 

[littlele]

I didn't realize that dance studios don't always give trophies.

Every year that my daughter has danced (at two studios) she has always received one.

 

[sk!mom]

The traditional flowers.

 

[Traveliz]

I didn't realize that dance studios don't always give trophies.

Every year that my daughter has danced (at two studios) she has always received one.

I don't think the ones in our area do - well if you are in a competitive studio that goes to competions but as a rule - no - I have never heard of such a thing.

Liz

 

[tchrrx]

My DD8 gets to spend the day with family, have her hair done up, wear a little make-up and body/hair glitter. It's a ton of fun for her just doing that for now. She'll also get a bouquet of flowers after the recital.

Last year (first year to dance) her wonderful, thoughtful Daddy surprised her (and me!) by giving her a Precious Moments figurine of a ballerina and a Hallmark dance recital card (they really do have cards for every occasion!) with a note that told her that he was proud of her.

 

[wdwpjs]

Well with 2 in dance, 16 & 12, we just do flowers. But i do something "unique". They get a rose for every year they have danced. The 16 yr. old is getting 14 this year! She has been dancing for 14, competing for 8, and this is her first year teaching. I agree with the earlier posts that the competing is expensive enough and we consider that a "treat" in itself.
The 12 yr. old is getting 5 roses this year. She started dancing later in life. LOL. She was into soccer before dance.
Our studio does a trophy at the milestone years...5,10,15 graduating.

me, dh, dd16, dd12, ds5, dd2

 

[MerryPoppins]

Flowers, dinner out and purchased pictures.

 

[tchrrx]

Well with 2 in dance, 16 & 12, we just do flowers. But i do something "unique". They get a rose for every year they have danced. The 16 yr. old is getting 14 this year! She has been dancing for 14, competing for 8, and this is her first year teaching. I agree with the earlier posts that the competing is expensive enough and we consider that a "treat" in itself.
The 12 yr. old is getting 5 roses this year. She started dancing later in life. LOL. She was into soccer before dance.
Our studio does a trophy at the milestone years...5,10,15 graduating.

me, dh, dd16, dd12, ds5, dd2

Off topic, but my DH does this with DD for Valentine's Day. She gets a rose to represent her grade level. Her senior year she'll finally get a dozen.

 

[MrsPete]

Wow, kids get gifts for stuff like this nowadays?

We're making too many things into gift-giving occasions these days: Recitals, minor holidays, finishing 3rd grade -- it's too much. This is just one of the things that's leading us into excessive debt and kids whose expectations are set too high.

I think a small bouquet of flowers -- just a small remembrance -- is plenty. Or a nice dinner out at a place of the child's choice.

 

[Hedy]

I always give flowers.

 

[Traveliz]

We're making too many things into gift-giving occasions these days: Recitals, minor holidays, finishing 3rd grade -- it's too much. This is just one of the things that's leading us into excessive debt and kids whose expectations are set too high.

I think a small bouquet of flowers -- just a small remembrance -- is plenty. Or a nice dinner out at a place of the child's choice.

Great that works well for you - as for us the whole dance recital is a family affair - all the nieces (one nephew did but he recently stopped) take as well as three of the moms (myself included) in the mom's tap class and we dance with our daughters in a special number too. It's a blast for us and we enjoy celebrating it with dinner (Steak n Shake on the river is our tradition) and a gift for the kids (well heck the mom's sometimes give to one another as well). That said because we know we are doing it many years the gifts have been bought in sales (even years before lol) and are WAYYYY cheaper than flowers.

This year I had to drop out of the class because I have to pick up my daughter from the CP program at Disney the week before but we will be at the recital along with the rest of the family enjoying this great tradition we have had for 19 years now! WOW!

And yes I know I posted about last years pedicure but that was just plain fun for my daughter who had taken 18 years and taught 4. So even though that wasn't super cheap it was appreciated and fun.

Liz

 

[littlele]

We're making too many things into gift-giving occasions these days: Recitals, minor holidays, finishing 3rd grade -- it's too much. This is just one of the things that's leading us into excessive debt and kids whose expectations are set too high.

I think a small bouquet of flowers -- just a small remembrance -- is plenty. Or a nice dinner out at a place of the child's choice.

Wow, this seems like a bit of a leap for me. Coming from someone who does do many little gifts throughout the year (instead of buying toys, etc just because we are at the store), I can assure you there is no debt here and certainly no out of control expectations.

 

[HappyCamperToo]

What do you give your teen for their dance recital?

Sorry I don't have time to read all this, but your title grabbed my attention.

It's likely that I'm alone on this---I usually am.

DD is 15 now. Haven't given her anything extra since she started dancing at age 4. She wouldn't expect one.

We will give her lots of praise, will give her our time in watching the live show and our home videos of the dress rehearsal and the event itself, but do not plan on spending anymore money on a gift.

We paid for her lessons, costume, tights, shoes, etc (lately special strapless dance undergarments, lol)--all that she needed to be there, and have no intentions of giving her a gift at her recital next month.

Sorry that probably doesn't help you much.

 

[Crystal0608]

My dd is 8. At the 2 schools my dd has been to, its the norm to give a gift. Most do flowers, balloon bouquets, etc. I usually get dd one thing she's been wanting- cd, dvd, dress, etc and then get her a pedi afterwards since I know my feet would hurt after all that dancing. The pedi is always her favorite since she was 4.

 

[maggiew]

Wow! I didn't realize I was so cheap! I don't give the girls anything for recitals. I pay a lot for the ballet classes, leotards, etc. I just never thought to get a gift. I take lots of pictures for our family scrapbooks, though.

My studio does not give trophies. I've noticed a few parents with flowers in the audience, but it was a small percentage. Of course, I can't say how many might have given statues, etc. at home.

Maggie

 

[reneempayne]

I teach dancing. I mostly see flowers. My grandmother used to by me a precious moment ballerina or a ballerina doll. My cousins got flowers and a webkin this year and then got to go out to a nice dinner with everyone that came to see them. I also see dancer jewelry. There are he parents that go crazy overboard, but I think it is a bit obnoxious. Dance is a privlidge. It is a gift to be going in the first place. A little token for a job well done is plenty. (Although some little ones do need a bribe to go on stage, which I am all for Whatever it takes to get thm out there!!!) Alothough I am always at a loss for what to get my son. I think I got him a webkin last year. This year maybe I'll give him $10 in Disney dollars or something.