Ideas for a Special Momento

[Miranda Danda]

DH and I are taking our DDalmost4 to WDW for her first trip ever next month! My granddad is giving me $50 to buy her a "significant gift". By significant he means something meaningful. He visited Disneyland the first year that it was open and he purchased some sort of collector's coin. He wants me to buy something that she will treasure and keep for years to come.

I really need help coming up with ideas. I know I want to buy her a special snowglobe, but I also know that they are waaaay more expensive than $50! I want this to be something that she can enjoy now, but can also keep nice and have for years to come. I would love ideas as to what type of things are in the parks right now so I know what to look for and where to look. I am going to use her input once we get there and have looked around a bit, but I would really appreciate some guidance.

Thanks so much in advance!!!

 

[daizieduck]

I would not go with a snow globe as something to keep forever. Sometimes the seal breaks and they get air bubbles. Maybe a glass or ceramic character figurine instead?

 

[Miranda Danda]

I would not go with a snow globe as something to keep forever. Sometimes the seal breaks and they get air bubbles. Maybe a glass or ceramic character figurine instead?

Good point! I didn't even think about that. I like the figurine idea. Thank you!

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

May I recommend a figurine also? If she doesn't have a favorite character or princess, Mickey or the castle is a good choice. I don't think it matters if it is small. She will always remember it as something special from her first Disney trip.

You may also try to pick up a Christmas ornament you may wish to hand off to her when she has her own tree one day....

 

[Redheaded Sunshine]

I also like the idea of a figurine.

Something that my mom got for my kids and I will treasure (as will they) for years to come, is their first set of mouse ears with their name stitched on.

 

[gearingup]

My DD's most treasured memento from MK is a glass slipper engraved with her name on it. She got it from her grandfather for her 1st visit when she was five and it still has a prominent place in her heart. She will be 22 this year!

1978, 1988 (honeymoon), 1995 (Dixie Landings), 2001, 2006, 2009 (CBR), March 2011 (POP), Dec 2011 (VWL), Jan 2012 (Holiday Inn LBV), Mar 2012 (Wyndham Bonnet Creek), May 2012 (OKW), Oct 2012 (AKV), Mar 2013 (OKW-GV)

 

[Minerva Mouse]

What about a tiara? I've seen some beautiful ones in Germany at Epcot. I'm sure they have them elsewhere too, but Germany is the only place that comes to mind. I have no clue as to the cost though, sorry.

 

[SmileEar2Ear]

Take her to the Japan pavillion and do Pick a Pearl. It costs like $15 and she will get to pick her very own oyster (rumor has it that you should pick the ugliest one to get the biggest pearl). They have a big opening ceremony and then after you can pick out a setting so that she can have a necklace. I know a lot of people buy their pearl cages on ebay, but I thought the one I purchased there for DD2 was a lot more sturdy and it was only around $35 for the setting and chain. You can also buy a tiny bottle with sand in it to store the pearl if you don't want jewelry. Perfect momento that she can cherish for many years.

DD2 really enjoyed the process even though she didn't totally get it. DS4, thought it was really cool and he helped DD pick which tank she should pick the oyster from so he felt involved. We ended up getting TWO rare silver/blue pearls in one oyster! Even the lady helping us was surprised! We made one into a necklace and the other went in a bottle and is on her shelf.

 

[kyliem]

I was gonna suggest pick a pearl also. We just returned from hawaii and i did it there. My daughter is 2 so she wont remember the trip when she gets older so we did pick a pearl together and got a bunch of pictures. We picked two pearls and made earings and i plan to give them to here on her 16 th birthday!!

 

[DisneyDetective]

I like the bubbles from the christmas shop that you can get personalised.

 

[MrRomance]

What about some collectors pins. She can wear them on her lanyard now, but Limited Edition Pins hold their value quite well.

 

[EpcotPixie]

I would say the figurine. I still have my Donald Duck from when I was 3.

 

[mwmom]

I was going to suggest Pick a Pearl in Japan as well. I got a necklace pendant for DD that was a "cage" for the pearl with the thought that she could do something else with it when she is older as she can just remove it from the current pendant and put in one made more for a woman. I am not sure they will be able to drill it later down the road for a ring or anything like that, but at least she can have options to keep it as is or put in a more updated pendant.

Another option is something like a small nutcracker from Germany. There are lots of options in WS that would be keepsakes for a long time. I wouldn't say they look "Disneyish," but they come from WDW so that should count!

 

[Dan Murphy]

The engraved slipper sounds great!! Maybe crystal.

And great to see you, MD, have not seen you in ages!!! You daughter looks so darn cute, and what a great name, Jubilee. Enjoy her first ever visit.

 

[Miranda Danda]

Wow, everyone! Thanks so much for all the wonderful suggestions! I love them all and will look into each of them while we are there.

The pearl idea is so meaningful because my granddad took me and my exchange student to Hawaii in 1997 and we actually did the pick a pearl there! I got mine set in a gold necklace!

Thanks for all the wonderful ideas and thoughts! I appreciate them ALL!!!

 

[Miranda Danda]

The engraved slipper sounds great!! Maybe crystal.

And great to see you, MD, have not seen you in ages!!! You daughter looks so darn cute, and what a great name, Jubilee. Enjoy her first ever visit.

Thank you, Dan! It's been a while, that's for sure!!! Hahaha! Thank you so much for the sweet compliments on my daughter. We can't wait for this visit! Great "seeing" you again, too!

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I like the Pick a Pearl idea, as well. I had my first trip do WDW the summer after my second grade year and my parents bought me a beautiful necklace at Cinderella Castle. It was a tiny oval made of glass with an iridescent butterfly inside it. The glass was cut so that it would catch the light and really made the butterfly pop. I still wear that necklace to this day - 20 years late. I'd say that was a great purchase. As such, I highly recommend the Pick a Pearl or any other type of necklace.

 

[lanejudy]

I know I want to buy her a special snowglobe, but I also know that they are waaaay more expensive than $50!

Sounds like you have settled on something other than a snowglobe, but just in case a warning about snowglobes...if you are flying, it must be packed in your checked baggage or TSA will confiscate it from a carry-on.

 

[Miranda Danda]

I like the Pick a Pearl idea, as well. I had my first trip do WDW the summer after my second grade year and my parents bought me a beautiful necklace at Cinderella Castle. It was a tiny oval made of glass with an iridescent butterfly inside it. The glass was cut so that it would catch the light and really made the butterfly pop. I still wear that necklace to this day - 20 years late. I'd say that was a great purchase. As such, I highly recommend the Pick a Pearl or any other type of necklace.

Awww, sounds very beautiful! Thank you for sharing!

 

[Miranda Danda]

Sounds like you have settled on something other than a snowglobe, but just in case a warning about snowglobes...if you are flying, it must be packed in your checked baggage or TSA will confiscate it from a carry-on.

She LOVES snow globes/music boxes SO much I'll probably get her one from my DH and myself (in addition to whatever we decide on from Granddad). We'll be driving so my husband driving all bumpy will be the only travel issue we might face, lol! Thanks for the heads up though