Giving adult kids cash for Christmas...for our Disney trip?

[duffy]

I have two adult daughters, living on their own, with partners. We are planning a big family trip in Feb. 2013 to Disney World. Staying at a 3-bedroom condo, with kitchen, and 3 bathrooms, for one week. It will be our 30th anniversary.

I really wish I could just pay for everyone's trip in Feb. 2013, but it's just too expensive. They all want to come, so far, but I want to make it easier.

The trip is so far away, that no one has made any plans yet-except me, of course. I am thinking ahead. We are paying for the condo, and they are invited to stay without having to pay anything towards it. But, I can't pay for everyone's entire vacation! I can help them with some cash, but not much.

I think they should each be able to choose how they want their trip to be: drive or fly? Go to a Disney park every day-or skip Disney (gasp!) and go to places like Universal Studios or Sea World? Spend 4 days touring, for example, and the other three at poolside? All 7 days, nothing but Disney? Park hoppers or not? You get the point.

With that in mind, I can't pay for everyone's wishes. But, I was thinking that I can give each adult say, $200 to use how they wish. Use it to buy plane tickets, towards admission, etc. If they use them for plane tickets, they won't have to buy more than tickets to any parks they wish to go to, and food. ($200 should be enough for a round-trip airline ticket.) Basically, they get money from us, to defray costs of the trip. Heck they can use it to pay for their electric bills, if needed!!

I was thinking that would be their Christmas gift for Christmas 2012. By then, we should have all our plans pretty well set for Feb. 2013. Plane tickets, if any, will already be purchased, etc.

What about this year? If I give them each $200 next Christmas, what should I give them this year? Nothing, and explain that then I can give them more than just $200 each in 2012? Or, give them some cash this year and explain that it's to help defray the Feb. 2013's trip expenses-which is over a year away? I don't want them to use the lack of cash to back out.

Adding to my dilemma, is they they hate getting cash as gifts. They think it's too impersonal. Should I buy them park tickets? But, then I'm dictating what parks they should go to.

Thoughts?

 

[Skatermom23]

I don't think I would give a cash gift, especially this far out. I would probably try and buy them 5 day hopper tickets this year. That way they know that part is taken care of and can plan for transportation and eating. Next year for Christmas it would be more appropriate to give them a little cash for the trip or maybe tickets to a show, backstage tour or something they can do while on the trip. It is very generous for you to be doing this for your adult children!

 

[Madison'smommy]

I have two adult daughters, living on their own, with partners. We are planning a big family trip in Feb. 2013 to Disney World. Staying at a 3-bedroom condo, with kitchen, and 3 bathrooms, for one week. It will be our 30th anniversary.

I really wish I could just pay for everyone's trip in Feb. 2013, but it's just too expensive. They all want to come, so far, but I want to make it easier.

The trip is so far away, that no one has made any plans yet-except me, of course. I am thinking ahead. We are paying for the condo, and they are invited to stay without having to pay anything towards it. But, I can't pay for everyone's entire vacation! I can help them with some cash, but not much.

I think they should each be able to choose how they want their trip to be: drive or fly? Go to a Disney park every day-or skip Disney (gasp!) and go to places like Universal Studios or Sea World? Spend 4 days touring, for example, and the other three at poolside? All 7 days, nothing but Disney? Park hoppers or not? You get the point.

With that in mind, I can't pay for everyone's wishes. But, I was thinking that I can give each adult say, $200 to use how they wish. Use it to buy plane tickets, towards admission, etc. If they use them for plane tickets, they won't have to buy more than tickets to any parks they wish to go to, and food. ($200 should be enough for a round-trip airline ticket.) Basically, they get money from us, to defray costs of the trip. Heck they can use it to pay for their electric bills, if needed!!

I was thinking that would be their Christmas gift for Christmas 2012. By then, we should have all our plans pretty well set for Feb. 2013. Plane tickets, if any, will already be purchased, etc.

What about this year? If I give them each $200 next Christmas, what should I give them this year? Nothing, and explain that then I can give them more than just $200 each in 2012? Or, give them some cash this year and explain that it's to help defray the Feb. 2013's trip expenses-which is over a year away? I don't want them to use the lack of cash to back out.

Adding to my dilemma, is they they hate getting cash as gifts. They think it's too impersonal. Should I buy them park tickets? But, then I'm dictating what parks they should go to.

Thoughts?

I guess if they have mentioned that they want to go to any disney parks, you could buy them a gift card. I dont know, its hard since its sort of far away. My mom always buys me a Visa gift card from her bank for Christmas, and I love it. Maybe you could do something like that and they could just tuck it away until they make some sort of decision. Sounds like a great trip, I hope they both go and have a great time!

 

[duffy]

I don't think I would give a cash gift, especially this far out. I would probably try and buy them 5 day hopper tickets this year. That way they know that part is taken care of and can plan for transportation and eating. Next year for Christmas it would be more appropriate to give them a little cash for the trip or maybe tickets to a show, backstage tour or something they can do while on the trip. It is very generous for you to be doing this for your adult children!

I like this idea. Undercover Tourist has a 5-day Magic Your Way ticket for $253, including tax and shipping.

Here's my problem: I can't afford to buy FOUR 5-day tickets this year. I can buy one for each daughter, for example, but not for their guys! So, do I buy a ticket for the 2 daughters, and nothing for the men in their lives, and buy them theirs next Christmas? They may not like that. That's an odd message: "The love of your life is going to Disney World! Maybe you will too...if you're still around next year."

 

[duffy]

I guess if they have mentioned that they want to go to any disney parks, you could buy them a gift card. I dont know, its hard since its sort of far away. My mom always buys me a Visa gift card from her bank for Christmas, and I love it. Maybe you could do something like that and they could just tuck it away until they make some sort of decision. Sounds like a great trip, I hope they both go and have a great time!

Hmm, is this a Disney gift card, that can only be used at a Disney park/store/etc.? That's a great idea!!

 

[It'sOffToDisneyWeGo]

Last year we gave each of our kids Disney gift cards for almost every holiday. Our friends and family even gave them as birthday gifts. When it was time to go to Disney they used them for food, drinks and souvenirs.

I think you have to be careful which gift cards you get. Make sure that they can be used in the parks and not just at the Disney store. Other posters may know more about this.

 

[ksloane]

Maybe you could talk to them to find out what their plans are...which parks? Fly or drive? etc. And then buy gift cards that are specific to their plans...

If they plan to do Disney, but a Disney gift card for them?
If they plan to drive, a gas gift card? Or restaurant that would be on the way they could stop and eat?
If they plan to fly, an airline gift card?

I am taking my daughter for her 21st birthday next year....this is something we've planned for years. She got married last year. I am not paying for the son-in-law to go (I can't afford it if I was willing), but of course, he is invited. So for Christmas I'm giving him a Disney gift card and Southwest gift card, and his birthday is in February so I'll probably give him one or the other for his birthday as well. This allows me to help him out in going, but for them to also budget for it.

 

[Beckypooh1972]

How about giving them a Disney travel guide along with a Disney gift card? You could write a nice inscription on the inside of the book. Or...

A nice Disney themed photo frame... with a monetary gift for the trip.

One word of caution... the trip is pretty far out so you don't want to wear everybody out with planning and talking up the trip too far ahead... not everyone is nuts about Disney like we are So no power point presentations, please.

Have a wonderful trip! I hope I get to celebrate my 30th anniversary at Disney some day...

 

[duffy]

Last year we gave each of our kids Disney gift cards for almost every holiday. Our friends and family even gave them as birthday gifts. When it was time to go to Disney they used them for food, drinks and souvenirs.

I think you have to be careful which gift cards you get. Make sure that they can be used in the parks and not just at the Disney store. Other posters may know more about this.

That's what I was wondering. I hate to dictate where they spend it, but I also want to send a message: you HAVE to go to Disney World now! You have no other way to take advantage of this gift!!

(One daughter is totally on board, by the way. She has a daughter who will be 2 1/2, and is pregnant with the second, who will be about 8-9 months old then. The other will have a harder time making plans to get off work then.)

 

[204charity]

Personally I think it is WAY too soon to start giving cash for a trip that far in advance. I would use the Christmas in 2012 immediately before the trip for that. It sounds like right now, there are just too many "what-ifs" to consider. I mean, your one daughter hasn't even given birth to her 2nd child yet! Hold the boat and sllllloooow down Momma! I know you're excited - but you have to try and restrain yourself. lol

 

[Piper]

For my birthday in April, my sister gave me a certificate she had printed on her computer that said it was "good for 2 tickets to the November 5, 2011 Celtic Thunder concert." The tickets weren't on sale yet, but she knew that I have always wanted to see one of their concerts. I was thrilled!

I think the 5 day park hoppers is a good idea. If you can't afford to get them now, just make up a fancy certificate for each of them. There is a lot of free clip art out there that you could use to make them very "Disneyfied!"

BTW--the concert is in a few days and I've had the joy of knowing I was going for 7 months! Truly a long-lasting present!

 

[pigletto]

I also really like the tickets as gifts! I would feel it out a little and see if they have any interest in visiting Disney while there, and if so, go that route.
My children are much younger but they'll be getting their Disney tickets for our April trip as their "Big" gift and then a bunch of smaller items. In our case this is for two reasons. 1) Because this trip was unplanned and if they want to go again so soon, we need to budget carefully. And 2) I usually know exactly what to get them and this year had no clue. They don't need or want much.. so aside from some smaller toys/books/ clothing kind of items this was the perfect gift!

 

[powellrj]

There is no way I would plan a trip this far in advance with kids that age. There is so much that can happen between now and then. This is speaking as someone who has been married 33 years and also has grown children.

Couples can break-up, someone could be pregnant for the trip and unable to travel, illness can occur. We had to cancel 2 trips this year due to illness so I am a little gun-shy at planning trips that far out.

Give them planning books this year with cash and then next year closer to the trip give them tickets if thats what you still want to do. I know they don't want cash, but too much can happen between now and then to spend money on gift card and tickets.

Plan to YOUR hearts content, but I wouldn't start including others until closer to the trip.

 

[duffy]

Maybe you could talk to them to find out what their plans are...which parks? Fly or drive? etc. And then buy gift cards that are specific to their plans...

If they plan to do Disney, but a Disney gift card for them?
If they plan to drive, a gas gift card? Or restaurant that would be on the way they could stop and eat?
If they plan to fly, an airline gift card?

I am taking my daughter for her 21st birthday next year....this is something we've planned for years. She got married last year. I am not paying for the son-in-law to go (I can't afford it if I was willing), but of course, he is invited. So for Christmas I'm giving him a Disney gift card and Southwest gift card, and his birthday is in February so I'll probably give him one or the other for his birthday as well. This allows me to help him out in going, but for them to also budget for it.

We have talked some, but the trip is just so far away at this point. I imagine they'll all want to fly, but I just don't know yet.

I'd get them gas/restaurant cards, but, then they would probably use them at home, before the trip.

 

[torinsmom]

I like the idea of giving them a "gift certificate" for their attraction tickets. Maybe say "This certificate is good for two 5 day tickets to the park(s) of your choice to be purchased next Christmas". This way, you can talk closer to the time of travel and see what parks they want to go to.

 

[duffy]

Personally I think it is WAY too soon to start giving cash for a trip that far in advance. I would use the Christmas in 2012 immediately before the trip for that. It sounds like right now, there are just too many "what-ifs" to consider. I mean, your one daughter hasn't even given birth to her 2nd child yet! Hold the boat and sllllloooow down Momma! I know you're excited - but you have to try and restrain yourself. lol

I am slowing down. I'm wondering what to get them this coming Christmas. Next Christmas is easy: tickets to the parks, or cash, or gift cards. It's this Christmas that I'm wondering about. If I buy each a 5-day ticket next year, I can't afford to buy, well, anything for them this year.

So, do I get them nothing this year, and each a 5-day ticket next year?

I think I am going to give each adult a $100 Disney gift card. That way, they can spend it at a Disney store (both adult daughters are in New England), or save them and use them in Feb. 2013.

I'll maybe also get each pair of adults a Disney planning book.

Next Christmas, they'll each get money for tickets, or airfare. Or more gift cards.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

I'd get them gas/restaurant cards, but, then they would probably use them at home, before the trip.

seriously, if you give them cash it will be used before the trip.

 

[duffy]

How about giving them a Disney travel guide along with a Disney gift card? You could write a nice inscription on the inside of the book. Or...

A nice Disney themed photo frame... with a monetary gift for the trip.

One word of caution... the trip is pretty far out so you don't want to wear everybody out with planning and talking up the trip too far ahead... not everyone is nuts about Disney like we are So no power point presentations, please.

Have a wonderful trip! I hope I get to celebrate my 30th anniversary at Disney some day...

Oh, yeah, I totally agree about wearing everyone out!!

So far, all we have is: the place we're staying, and the dates. That's it. My husband and I have old non-expiring tickets from a few years ago, so we're set.

Our daughters know when and where we'll be. They are enthused, but not committed. We never really talk about it at this stage.

I have no plans for when we're there. We could spend all day all week at the condo and I'd be ok-but I doubt that's what we'll do! I imagine we'll all split up and spend most of our days apart, but maybe get together occasionally throughout the day or evening. Maybe have dinner all together a few times, or go to the same park one day. Even then, if we're all at the same park, I know from experience, that we'd be better off breaking into small groups of 2 or 3...coming back together...breaking apart again....

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

I think I am going to give each adult a $100 Disney gift card. That way, they can spend it at a Disney store (both adult daughters are in New England), or save them and use them in Feb. 2013.

I'll maybe also get each pair of adults a Disney planning book.

Next Christmas, they'll each get money for tickets, or airfare. Or more gift cards.

I think this sounds GREAT!!

 

[duffy]

seriously, if you give them cash it will be used before the trip.

Yup. I think so too.

Not a bad idea for Christmas 2012, but not for Christmas 2011.