Dance Recital Gift?!

[jessp1021]

Our daughter's first dance recital is just a few days away and I am still undecided on what to get her She will be getting flowers from my parents so I didn't want to go that route. Can anyone suggest something that they have done for their daughter's recital or something that you think would be a great idea?

 

[BellsFam]

DD got flowers and an American Girl dance outfit for her AG doll at her 1st recital... (if you go this route, they have a new GOTY that's a dancer, lots to choose from)...

We typically don't give her anything extreme as ballet and tap, and shoes, and recital outfits, and lessons, and outfits for class are enough for me to spend...

 

[scrapquitler]

Our daughter's first dance recital is just a few days away and I am still undecided on what to get her She will be getting flowers from my parents so I didn't want to go that route. Can anyone suggest something that they have done for their daughter's recital or something that you think would be a great idea?

15 years as a dance Mom, and we never did anything beyond flowers, unless you count going out for ice cream after.

One year my MIL gave DD a cookie bouquet, and another year it was a lollipop bouquet. Maybe your daughter would like something like that? I've also seen teddy bears in dance outfits (our studio has an order form in the office).

One thing I suggest you DO NOT DO is balloons. A couple times someone ended up with a balloon bouquet instead of flowers and they held them during the grand finale, and nobody could see any of the kids standing behind her on the risers because the baloons were in the way. I thought that was inconsiderate, and the studio has since banned balloons during the grand finale (thank goodness).

 

[ktlm]

6 years of dance and 5 years of dance recitals here. How old is she? A lot of the girls will just get flowers from both the parents and grandparents. That is what we did for DD the first year, and then I think it was the next year that she politely asked me if I would spend the money I spent on flowers on a little toy for her instead because the flowers just died and she would rather have something she could play with and keep (yep- the kid was a negotiator in preschool). Actually, there was one year she specifically asked for fake flowers, so they wouldn't die and she could keep them- that might have been the 2nd year, and then it was toys after that. It is usually something like a Barbie. Really, just any little thing she wants will do. The first one is kind of special though, so a little something related to dance she could keep would be cute like maybe a little necklace or something?

 

[MandiC]

We've done lots of dance competitions and recitals, flowers are the typical 'gift' and all we've ever done personally. We spend a lot of money on dance, which is something they love to do and I happily oblige but getting them a gift for doing something they love just doesn't make sense to me

I have heard of some moms doing a charm bracelet and getting a new charm for big occasions, might be something worth doing

 

[ljcrochet]

One year my parents got one of my girls a big fish tank. Water had to sit before she could get goldfish (still have 1). And the other one a hermit crab complete with cage.

Last year mil got them dancing snow globes.

 

[SEA333]

Our daughter's first dance recital is just a few days away and I am still undecided on what to get her She will be getting flowers from my parents so I didn't want to go that route. Can anyone suggest something that they have done for their daughter's recital or something that you think would be a great idea?

Oh geez, after spending hundreds, even thousands of dollars a year on dance classes, tumbling classes, gymnastics, and cheerleading, we have to get them a present at the end of the season, too???!!

I guess my "you don't have a million toys and trinkets because we choose to spend our money on activities for you instead" mantra whenever my kids complain about why all of their nonactive friends have all the latest and greatest, is going to go out the window.

On second thought...no. I refuse to cave. My kids get all of my extra money...especially DD for dance and cheer. She's not getting a darn thing at her recital besides a flower with a ribbon on it and a great big hug and a "you looked beautiful up there today! Great job!!"

ETA: Sorry, I know its your first time...we've been doing this for a while and I just paid another $425 for cheer registration, and that's not including shoes and wind suit or the required royal blue soffee shorts so all the girls can look the same during practice I'm a little grumpy tonight and thia post hit home. If you want your dd to have a gift, I would maybe do a necklace or bracelet with a dance charm or something. Sorry again!!

 

[jessp1021]

Oh geez, after spending hundreds, even thousands of dollars a year on dance classes, tumbling classes, gymnastics, and cheerleading, we have to get them a present at the end of the season, too???!! I guess my "you don't have a million toys and trinkets because we choose to spend our money on activities for you instead" mantra whenever my kids complain about why all of their nonactive friends have all the latest and greatest, is going to go out the window. On second thought...no. I refuse to cave. My kids get all of my extra money...especially DD for dance and cheer. She's not getting a darn thing at her recital besides a flower with a ribbon on it and a great big hug and a "you looked beautiful up there today! Great job!!" Good grief...

While it may not be for you, this is special to me. Her dance class is moderately priced as was her recital fees and costume. I'd like to do something for her she will remember and came here for ideas I may not have though of. And I am happy that I have a child involved in dance AND thankful I can afford to invest in to that interest!

 

[SEA333]

While it may not be for you, this is special to me. Her dance class is moderately priced as was her recital fees and costume. I'd like to do something for her she will remember and came here for ideas I may not have though of. And I am happy that I have a child involved in dance AND thankful I can afford to invest in to that interest!

Sorry! I edited my post above...they crossed because yours popped up when I hit save. I was just a little cranky...sorry to have taken it out on you

 

[Hannathy]

I wouldn't get in the habit of getting a gift for the recital, you could have a lot of recitals ahead of you! I would just get into the tradition of flowers.

My DD was in 16 recitals from 2 thru 18 that would have been quite expensive to have done all those years.

Flowers are the customary gift for a performance and that is what we always did. she always gave a flower in a color to match the costume and a ribbon to all the girls in her class and then I would make up an arrangement with the same flowers and ribbon but more for her and her teacher.

She danced because she loved to dance and the flowers made them feel like ballerinas.

 

[ChitownFamily]

i actually was excited to see this thread, i thought this was suggestion for the dance teachers... i used to supervise our dance program, and every year came up with creative dance teacher gifts (from myself to the teachers) as far as dancer gifts, We made it easy for the parents (LOL) we would partner with a florist (as a small fundraiser) the florist put together 2-4 very modest & appropriate flower/lollipop bouquets. People could pre-order or buy on site.
stay with something small & i agree don't bring the balloons into the performance space.

 

[SEA333]

i actually was excited to see this thread, i thought this was suggestion for the dance teachers... i used to supervise our dance program, and every year came up with creative dance teacher gifts (from myself to the teachers) as far as dancer gifts, We made it easy for the parents (LOL) we would partner with a florist (as a small fundraiser) the florist put together 2-4 very modest & appropriate flower/lollipop bouquets. People could pre-order or buy on site.
stay with something small & i agree don't bring the balloons into the performance space.

Haha...me too! That's why I clicked on this thread last night!

DD started dancing at age 2, cheering at age 6, and has done gymnastics and tumbling through it all as well. She is now going into 5th grade. That would be a LOT of presents over the years!

But, we always give her teacher a small gift card (like $10) to Starbucks or Tim Hortons or, when we lived in a tiny little town, to the local coffee/bakery shop, with a note saying thank you and calling out some of DD's favorite moments of the season.

 

[pooh4evr]

I agree we have only gotten flowers for our 3 girls.

 

[mm1971]

Our daughter's first dance recital is just a few days away and I am still undecided on what to get her She will be getting flowers from my parents so I didn't want to go that route. Can anyone suggest something that they have done for their daughter's recital or something that you think would be a great idea?

If flowers are a no go, we have done chocolates or a small stuffed animal. Not sure how old your daughter is, ours is now 11 and is getting an Olaf this year instead of flowers.

 

[Traveliz]

Depending on her age... something that is a reminder of the number - so if she was a frog or a duck (young ones) then a stuff animal or ceramic piece as a reminder, a collectible figurine that is a dancer (Precious Moments, Snowbaby, etc), picture frame with dance shoes on it or similar colors to recital costume, charm bracelet with dance charms on it, nail polish with a dance title (OPI has some good ones), Chocolate Dove flower,....I am sure I can come up with more...did this for years for daughter and nieces and loved every minute of it!

Liz

 

[mjkacmom]

I think an annual tradition, like going out for ice cream after, is way more special and meaningful than a gift. I stopped getting flowers for my theater kids years ago - I get them candy instead (someone always gets dd17 flowers anyway).

 

[okeydokey]

We took pictures, then went out for ice cream.

 

[jessp1021]

Depending on her age... something that is a reminder of the number - so if she was a frog or a duck (young ones) then a stuff animal or ceramic piece as a reminder, a collectible figurine that is a dancer (Precious Moments, Snowbaby, etc), picture frame with dance shoes on it or similar colors to recital costume, charm bracelet with dance charms on it, nail polish with a dance title (OPI has some good ones), Chocolate Dove flower,....I am sure I can come up with more...did this for years for daughter and nieces and loved every minute of it!

Liz

I hadn't thought of tying it in with her routine, that is a great idea. I like your suggestions! I didn't want to spend a fortune but wanted something that would be memorable.

 

[amomma23]

Sorry to hijack your thread... any suggestions for boys? We always just get flowers for DD, but this year DS7 is dancing, too. I may just get flowers for him, too, but would love to hear any other ideas.

 

[h518may]

Sorry to hijack your thread... any suggestions for boys? We always just get flowers for DD, but this year DS7 is dancing, too. I may just get flowers for him, too, but would love to hear any other ideas.

We just do ice cream after because DS never wanted flower and I wasn't into the idea of actual gifts.

Then when DD started dancing we just stuck with ice cream. They are both very happy with that after hours at a recital. I think we also went this rout because there can be a lot of performances between my kids each year.

If I was going to by something special for DS it would probably be a small Lego set or candy, mime would never have liked flower that would have been to girly for him.