Need cruise related Christmas ideas for kids

[MelissaE1]

Since we are cruising in January, I'd like to do a travel-related Christmas this year. My dad ordered DS8 and DD4 some really cool kids rolling duffels, but so far I haven't had any amazingly creative ideas. Thought about a new Gameboy game for DS for the drive down, maybe some Crayola "magic" paper for DD. I could get them a few clothes, but shorts are hard to find in December, and clothes are not their favorite gifts anyway (boring!). I do plan to get them some Disney Dollars.

Anyone have any ideas to jump-start my thinking?

 

[aseafish]

If you decide on some clothes, check Lands End--landsend.com.
They have year-round availability and some really fun stuff for both children and adults. A bonus is the quality. Not unbelievably creative, I know, but you might find some nice items for all of you.

 

[slindamood]

Maybe a camera and film. There are several types of inexpensive cameras at Sams that look like fun, including a polaroid one that prints the photos on stamps. Also underwater cameras.

This, plus a journal to put things in might be fun.

 

[4nana]

Great ideas!
Love the camera, film, journals idea. How about a Disney CD or video? We are crusing with our 7 grands week before Christmas and have also been stocking up on Dis items. I try to get to the Disney store every couple wks. as they run terrific sales. A few things we've purchased - 18" plush M&M's, matching MM t-shirts, the 'Belle' and 'Cinderella' costumes and accs. for the DGD's to wear for the formal, the boys MM ties, lite up princess necklaces for DGD's. We picked up several items at the dollar store - MM sunglasses, MM keychains, Princess figurines, bubbles, coloring books. I'm thinking of making Xmas pkgs for their cabins to surprise them. Can't wait!
I don't know who's more excited...the grands or Nana.

 

[mog]

I've seen a lot about Disney Dollars and people getting them for their kids. What are they? Where do you get them and can they use them to buy souvenirs in the gift shops on board, or what are they used for? Maybe I need to get some for Christmas for my kids, too!!
thanks

 

[4nana]

Disney dollars..

We purchase ours at the Disney Store at the local mall. We give them to the grands as part of their BD's, holiday, etc. gifts.
I don't know if you can actually purchase things on board w/them. But can apply them to your balance.

 

[Dave in the Frozen North]

Since we have always taken Disney Vacations within 4 weeks of Christmas, something for WDW or Cruises have always been on the Christmas lists at our house. Over the past 8 years some kids’ Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers geared to the upcoming vacation have been:

- Carry-on Bags (My parents got each of our daughters these personalized Lands End small nylon duffel bags one year – they have been used for 4 Disney vacations).

- New Bathing Suits

- Disney Jammies or Nightgowns (I know – it’s clothing but if it’s Disney it’s special for a Disney Vacation and maybe less boring)

- Water shoes

- Game Boys (these got major use on the airplanes for our kids – can also buy travel case, games, and min-light)

- Disney Dollars (Inexpensive zip wallet to put them in)

- Some large, bright florescent baggage tags or baggage straps for their own suitcases – we jazzed them up. (the kids got a kick out of picking their luggage tags off the conveyor belt)

- Underwater cameras for snorkeling trips.

- Journals and glitter pens.

- Two-way Radios (which got great use on and after vacation)

- Birnbaum’s “Disney World for Kids” book (on Amazon.com) (Kids had a good time going through, making favorite Rides lists)

- Certificate for “My First Facial” or “My First Manicure” at the Grand Floridian Spa before the Cruise (this was a big treat and the highlight of one of our cruises for my daughters)

- Stickers (For the kids to Put on Post-Cards to send back to friends)

- Their own travel case for tooth brush, tooth paste personal items

- CD’s (if they have a CD player – but we would “steal” the CD’s back so when vacation rolled around, the kids had brand new Disney CD’s to play for the first time)

Some Other Ideas:

- Small Traveling Jewelry Case (for teen daughter)

- Small Travel Perfume Atomizer (for teen daughter)

- Lanyards (For older kids – for room keys/charge cards)

- Kid’s Waist Packs (if they are in the kids clubs – lip gloss, kleenex, etc)

- A Disney Night Light for the Stateroom (The cabins, especially interior, are very dark at night – and if your kids are prone to get up in the night, particularly off the bunk bed – this helps), OR maybe

- Two little Mag flashlights ($5 or 6$) – they come in cool metallic colors and they are on small key-ring kind of straps -- great for going to the bathroom (OR making hand puppet silhouettes on the top bunk!). I have always kept one on the bedside table for our cruises if we have to get up in the night.

- A shoetree (I know – boring – but this has been often recommended on the packing list threads – getting the kids to put their stuff away in the small cabin was a perpetual battle, - you could be creative and put stickers and labels on each pocket – so they could put away, teddy-bear, pillow or blanket that they HAVE to sleep with, pj’s, retainers, undies, watches, or whatever – all the stuff that they need every day (or night) and they are always asking you: “MOM!!! – WHERE’S MY NIGHTGOWN!” for the 4th night in a row!)

- Special pins from your town, or state, province or area (our pins for our town are polar bears!) – the kids can wear them and give them to the servers at the end of the cruise – not a big deal for the servers but likely fun for the kids.

Whew!

When I look back at this list, I can’t believe how spoiled rotten my little darlings are! I’m thinking I’ll print this off and show it to my kids in fifteen years or so and tell them it is payback time to treat the parents (grandparents?) to a Disney Cruise!!!


Dave in the Frozen North (& wife Kathy)

 

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

We got our 4 year old twins hand held games-like candy land or Mr. Potato Head-they loved them. Hotwheels are good "quiet" toys both my DD and DS love. Sam's Club had Disney sticker books. Disney story books would be easy to find. My kids also love Rescue Hero's, so I bought each one for their backpacks-so if your kids have a favorite collectable like that you could add to their collection. DD likes the Polly Pockets-everything connects to a keychain. Snacks that they would have to save for the trip would be great, especially if there is something special they like and you don't buy that often. I found highway bingo cards at our local Turtlewax car wash. And, the greatest gift (if you don't have one) would be a video-in-a-bag system. If you don't already have one, consider it a gift for mom and dad (your sanity will thank you!).

 

[Annie12345]

These ideas are great!!! I was also thinking of printing some business cards with my daughter's name and email address in a funky business card holder that she can hand out to any friends she makes on the cruise for a stocking stuffer...
Also, glow necklaces or bracelets...
I was wondering if any of you have any ideas as to where to buy water shoes off season... our DD's feet just had a growth spurt and she will probably have another one before our cruise in February but I haven't seen any around. I'm looking for a website (or mailorder) for the water shoes...
Thanks,
Annie

 

[TeamMom011]

Also planning ahead for our Feb cruise. If you tell me where you get "cool" kids' business cards, I'll tell you that I just this morning ordered water shoes for my ds from Landsend.com for $14.50. Lots of sizes left. If you're interested, you'll need the item number (7139-4A57) since they're out of season.

 

[4nana]

Dave in the Frozen North & Kathy....

Thanx, you've given some great ideas - appreciate it!

 

[wovenwonder]

You can make really cool and personal business cards on your computer -- FUN!

We also thru in a set of snorkle gear for each of our kids.

 

[4407mark]

Great ideas! We also have given our kids Disney Dollars for birthdays, Christmas, etc. to "bank" for the next trip to Disney. One word regarding the cruise though - they do not utilize cash on board ship - everything is charged to your room so I don't know if the Disney Dollars would be useful for the kids on the ship.

Our two DSs - 9 and 7 - have gotten a lot of use out of their Game Boys and CD players on our trips to WDW and our cruise this past June. The Disney CDs are a great idea (especially the newly released Disney Mania - it has Jessica Simpson, Aaron Carter and several other artists the kids easily recognize singing great Disney Songs).

 

[Cruise]

Originally posted by TeamMom011
Also planning ahead for our Feb cruise. If you tell me where you get "cool" kids' business cards, I'll tell you that I just this morning ordered water shoes for my ds from Landsend.com for $14.50. Lots of sizes left. If you're interested, you'll need the item number (7139-4A57) since they're out of season.

This wasn't directed to me, but I'm gonna answer anyway

One of the little mail order places, Walter Drake, does simple business cards. They have a few different designs to choose from and are $5.99 for a set of 250. You'll have to go on another cruise for her to use them all! A link: http://www.wdrake.com/shop/list.cfm?criteria=business cards

As wovenwonder said, you can also make them yourself on the computer. Wal-mart sells the paper for them in the office supplies section.

hope this helps,
Julie

 

[MelissaE1]

Wow! Thanks for the great ideas, everyone. I have a nice long list going now. Dave in the Frozen North/Kathy, you guys are pros at this, aren't you? (grin)

4nana, I never thought about looking for themed stuff at the dollar store. I am going to check ours out this week.

Tay N Evie's Mom... I may be showing my ignorance here, but what the heck is a "video in a bag" system?

A big thank you again to everyone!

Melissa

 

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

A video-in-a-bag system is a portable VCR (can also be purchased in DVD) that can be used in your car. It comes with a screen and lighter outlet plug and mounting straps so you can secure it to the back of the cars front seats so the passengers in the back seat can view it. They usually have earphone plugs so you don't have to listen to whatever tape they're playing. They range in cost based on screen size, brand of player and DVD vs VCR. Check out Circuit City.com and click on mobile video to see what I'm talking about. Most stores like Target, Walmart, Sams Club, Best Buy, etc now sell them. Ebay usually has them for sale or do a search on google under mobile video. I found it was cheaper to purchase one on line. We recently purchased a van and got a DVD system-we don't hear a peep out of the kids on long trips now unless it's "Mom, can you change the DVD".

 

[wovenwonder]

Walmart has one listed with DVD/screen in their flyer this week. I also found it on their website so you can see what it looks like -
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=1937615

 

[MinnieCruiser]

Great ideas! I'm going to add some of these items to the list for my two DDs. I've already bought a small Disney photo album and those boxes which are used to store photos or souvenirs. They will only find out about the cruise at Christmas... I might put all the Disney stuff in a big box along with the cruise video. Can't wait to see their faces! Now if only I can keep it a surprise...

Again, thanks for the great ideas...!

 

[Annie12345]

Hi TeamMom -
We're making the business cards on the computer, and I found a really neat business card holder at a locally owned store here. It's mirrored with different colours of paint. When in February are you going? We are taking the 7-day eastern on February 8th. Thanks for the tip about the water shoes - I am going to check it out right now...
Annie