ideas for wrapping souvenirs

[wishiwereindisney]

we are trying hard to keep expenses down and want to limit what we buy there to one or two nicer souvenirs. that being said it is really hard for the 2 (almost 3) year old to see gift shop after gift shop and not want something. i am thinking of bring some inexpensive disney themed toys with me and carrying them in the diaper bag for those moments. now to my question - i think ds will get more enjoyment out of the cheap toys if they are "wrapped" in some way like they are when you buy them in the store - any ideas on how i might do this? preferably in a way that is not bulky for carrying the bag? thanks!

 

[NYCDiane]

Why not get some Disney themed gift wrap/gift bags at Dollar Tree or something?

 

[dthogue]

we are trying hard to keep expenses down and want to limit what we buy there to one or two nicer souvenirs. that being said it is really hard for the 2 (almost 3) year old to see gift shop after gift shop and not want something. i am thinking of bring some inexpensive disney themed toys with me and carrying them in the diaper bag for those moments. now to my question - i think ds will get more enjoyment out of the cheap toys if they are "wrapped" in some way like they are when you buy them in the store - any ideas on how i might do this? preferably in a way that is not bulky for carrying the bag? thanks!

depending on how big your gift, you could use plastic party gift bags - Dollar Tree has them or check Party City for Disney themed ones.

 

[anniemck]

What is wrong with just saying no, and teaching the child that just because he/she is in a store doesn't mean they have to get something?

 

[NYCDiane]

What is wrong with just saying no, and teaching the child that just because he/she is in a store doesn't mean they have to get something?

I would agree with you if the OP was at a mall or something but they're on a vacation at Disney. The entire place is a huge party theme and there are gift shops/kiosks everywhere. To deny a 2- 3 year old a souvenier would be pretty mean.

I like the idea of bringing 1 or 2 Disney things and putting them in little gift bags.

 

[anniemck]

Been there plenty of times when my kids were in that age division and even older. It is not mean to say no. When it gets to the point of bringing cheap stuff from home rather than buying something there, that translates to "rather than having to tell my child no and making him/her cry, I will give him/her something just not something from Disney".
Just because you are on vacation doesn't mean you have to spend money in the gift shops. Heck, heading out on the Wonder this week for my first cruise with Disney and not taking money to spend there either. The trip itself is gift enough.

 

[Shagley]

What is wrong with just saying no, and teaching the child that just because he/she is in a store doesn't mean they have to get something?

I'm sure there will be many cases where the OP will be telling their child no, but in some cases the OP would like to give the child a small gift that they brought from home. Everyone chooses to do things differently with their children, and no one way is right or wrong. You choose to tell your child no every time, which works for you, and the OP chooses to bring a few small gifts for their child which works for them.

OP, I agree that I would check at Dollar Tree for cheap Disney wrapping paper or gift bags to use to wrap up your small gifts.

 

[tzeitel]

Been there plenty of times when my kids were in that age division and even older. It is not mean to say no. When it gets to the point of bringing cheap stuff from home rather than buying something there, that translates to "rather than having to tell my child no and making him/her cry, I will give him/her something just not something from Disney".
Just because you are on vacation doesn't mean you have to spend money in the gift shops. Heck, heading out on the Wonder this week for my first cruise with Disney and not taking money to spend there either. The trip itself is gift enough.

Right, but that is not what the OP was asking advice on.

OP - If you check the Dollar Store you might find some small Disney themed toys (I know I have bought small puzzles, coloring books, plastic figurines etc) so that would save you from having to wrap them. If you already have the toys then giftwrap or even colorful tissue paper tied with a ribbon would work. Also Target has the Dollar Spot and they have some coloring set (small coloring book, stickers and crayons). I got a couple of those for DD and DN for our last trip - they were a big hit, especially during meal times

 

[MSSANDRA]

Be sure not to wrap them if you want to carry them through security in the airport. It can cause issues. I am so not a junk parent but I do think it is fun to give disney themed items at WDW. Let me offer a little bit different approach. Buy a disney themed basket. So easy right now with 'Easter coming up. Place the basket beside you child's bed at the resort. Tell you child that everyday she is well behaved at the park (and that would include not whining for stuff in the parks) she will get a surprise in her basket that night. Take stuff from home that is not junk and she will use and enjoy. New disney themed pj's, tooth brush, shampoo, shirt, snack etc.

Now here is something you may not have thought about. While gift shops are everywhere, really little kids may not even realize they
ARE gift shops. There is soooo much stuff everywhere, they really have no clue what you can and can not buy.

I have no trouble saying no. We buy nothing in the parks because I refuse to carry anything. We allow one or two things on the last day and for DS that means we go back the the star wars gift shop! You may really find it is less of an issue than you think it will be,

 

[BBandDisney]

Typical budget board thread. Already spinning out of control.

 

[wiigirl]

depending on how big your gift, you could use plastic party gift bags - Dollar Tree has them or check Party City for Disney themed ones.

Thats what I was thinking...

 

[wishiwereindisney]

thanks for the replies - will check out the dollar store. i was not interested into turning this into a parenting debate - guess i should've known better. lol.

 

[PebblesMom]

Not sure about wrapping them....but what I am doing with my boys is attaching little notes from Mickey, Tink etc....there are some wonderful designs over on the creative disigns board. I have also made some of my own with the Disney font and clip art. It will be fun it is from Mickey and then I will get to keep the note to put in the scrapbook.

 

[PrincessMama605]

Why not just get a Disney gc at the beginning of the trip and then let them decide what to spend the $$ on for souvenirs? Then when they see something they want remind them that they have the gc and that there will be many more shops during the trip. IMO this is a great way to teach kids about budgeting. Worked great for my nephews while they were here last week and it also works well for dd who goes to the parks often.