Kids in Tuxedos?? HELP!

[Poly Pal]

O.K experienced "formal-nighters", how many boys (not teens) have you seen on formal night on the Magic?

I want to rent tuxes for myself and my two boys (6 &11) so that we can get some great family photos on formal night. I figure this may be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Last night, my wife says, "I don't think I want to do the tux thing. It will be torture for the kids." I explained that they'll be in the fancy clothes for dinner and photos only, then we can change back into "comfortable clothes". She's still against the whole idea...even though she's already bough a fancy black dress (not a gown) for formal night.

Any opinions and advice are welcome!

 

[traycie2201]

My best advice is do what makes everyone comfortable, yes the boys would look great and make a good picture but if they are moaning all night about wearing it it kind of defeats the object, my DS 12 is really looking forward to wearing one, also check out ebay for good kids tuxes that aren't as dear as renting if thats an issue. Whatever you wear you'll have a great time and won't be out of place.

 

[joanb]

my 10 year old loved it and we did get great family photos

 

[Michelemouse]

My 9yo DS loved it as well and the pictures are priceless to me. Of course he didn't object when we changed after dinner, but he had no problem being in the tux for a couple of hours. He'll be doing it again in October.

I really believe the kids will be fine with just about anything if it is presented in a positive manner. My kids absolutely love going to the dentist...no...I'm not kidding. Ever since they were little I would say "You *get* to go to the Dentist today." not "You *have* to go to the Dentist today." and made it a positive thing. Same thing with shots. No, they don't love getting those but they know it is necessary to keep them healthy and they don't complain.

I think if you tell your boys about the tuxes in a positive way you'll get less of a fight. Good luck!

Edited to Add: We bought DHs and DSs tuxes on ebay. They had great prices and it actually cost us less than renting them. Just FYI.

 

[webray]

Yes, there are plenty of boys in tuxes and plenty in suits.

they all look adorable...and the pics look great. I say go for it...Great opportunity for a wonderful pic without paying big sitting fees at a studio. Our formal night pic is the best ever..and you do realize..you can print the release form and take your photo to a local drug store with photo copying machine and make copies for your friends and family if it turns out great!

Enjoy!

 

[DrCavin]

My 4 year old son was really excited to wear a tux, because Dad was wearing one as well
He kept saying "Same, Same".. pointing to something he had on & then pointing to mine. The pictures turned out to be our favorites from the cruise.

We went to the Golden Mickeys & he still had his tux on. Was great because we then got our picture taken with Mickey/Minnie dressed in the formal wear as well... really awesome picture!!

 

[ksjayhawks]

On our cruise there were some young boys in tuxes, some in suits, lots in dress shirts and pants and ties. Depends on your boys and what they will wear without complaining--it's not just for a picture, but for dinner too.

It's not worth wearing the tuxes if they are going to be uncomfortable for dinner. I suppose you could put them in tuxes for the pics only and then change them to dress clothes for dinner--could be a time crunch. Or let them take the jackets and ties off for their meal????

 

[lkohawaii]

If you plan to rent tuxes for your boys make sure you call in advance. When I was looking into the tux rental on the magic it said they don't stock children sizes you need to call ahead (like 1 week) to have them delivered.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I agree w/your idea that it would only be for pictures and dinner.

Can your boys endure that 'torture?'

If cost is an issue, you might check ebay, as many people on these boards have found great deals for kid's tuxes at a fraction of the cost of rental.

This question comes up on these boards from time to time, and I always side w/the ones who want to go all out and 'do the formals' and tuxes. If this is a once in a lifetime chance (at least while they're children) to have a family formal portrait, don't miss the opportunity! I haven't read yet (on these boards, or met anyone) who regretted doing so.

 

[TootyJane]

Originally posted by Poly Pal
O.K experienced "formal-nighters", how many boys (not teens) have you seen on formal night on the Magic? ....
Last night, my wife says, "I don't think I want to do the tux thing. It will be torture for the kids." I explained that they'll be in the fancy clothes for dinner and photos only, then we can change back into "comfortable clothes". She's still against the whole idea...even though she's already bough a fancy black dress (not a gown) for formal night.

Any opinions and advice are welcome!

My three boys wear suits for formal night. Didn't want to spend a lot of $$$ so I purchased them at local thrift store for practically nothing. They don't really like it but they only wear them for dinner (and photos if we do them) and they change after dinner. Why not ask your boys? Explain your idea about wearing the tuxes for dinner and photos and then changing to regular clothes after. After all they'll be wearing the tuxes, not your wife.

 

[cotomom]

I bought my then 4 y.o's tuxedo on ebay for so cheap. It arrived big, but we were able to pin it and get away with it.

The bonus was it still fit for our next cruise!

I think they look so adorable all dressed up. You won't get them in that type of picture again unless they're in a wedding! I'd go for it!

 

[staylor]

I second the ebay idea.

 

[absame]

Do whatever makes you comfortable. Last week on formal and semi formal nights, people were generally better dressed, but tuxedos were definately in the minority. On both nights, lots of suits, sport jackets, and no jackets, and some tuxes.

 

[steverog]

Cost of 4 day birthday cruise for my son = $1100
Cost of tuxedo from ebay = $52

Looking at this photo everyday on my desk = PRICELESS

 

[TnRobin]

I agree with the ebay purchase. We got DS's tux for $35 on Ebay. My pictures of my "men" in tuxes is my most favorite from our cruise. Heck my DH didn't even wear a tux to our wedding. (we had an informal wedding)

Also I think it is a good idea to get the boys to dress up. There will come times in thier life that they will need to wear clothes that are not comfortable. Like most americans, we do not "Dress for dinner" at home. Heck, we don't dress for dinner when we go out. I think the cruise is an excellent time to do something different to show that sometimes it is appropriate to dress for dinner.

But as soon as dinner is over - off to the room for shorts, t-shirt and sneakers.

 

[Poly Pal]

Priceless picture Steverog! That's what I want! I think if I can just get my wife to avoid saying "it will be torture" my kids will go along for one evening to please their dad.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Have you showed your wife the picture? It may just change her mind! That picture is adorable!

 

[dyingtodisney]

My d25 (4 at the time) sat backstage in a tux for 3 hours waiting to perform at the dance recital and didn't complain once. He is really big into complaining about "itchy things" so it surprised me. I did put an undershirt underneath though because the white dress shirt can be very "itchy!!"