Souvenir Spending budget style

[tzeitel]

I like the idea of setting a limit - especially using gift cards. DD is not a shopper and could not care less about souveniers but I am another story.

Our last trip (to DLR) I scraped and saved so I was very careful of what we bought - like others have said we looked in a few stores and at the end of the trip went back for what we HAD to have. Photo frame, ornament, keychain, DD got a super cute plastic snowglobe and Mickey ears , I got 2 Vinylmations. We got one of those gift with purchase (not really a gift since it was $15), a super soft blanket with the castle on it. All things we see/use all the time I forgot I also got the halloween mug (like the refillable mugs at WDW), drinking from it right now

 

[2disneyboys]

like some of the posters, we don't buy souvineers for our boys. They have the chances throughout the year to earn money by doing extra chores (these are above & beyound things they are required to do cuz they live in the house too KWIM!) They know that we don't buy souvineers and if they think they are going to want something, they save thier money for it. We do pay for all the food, snacks, drinks, etc and we usually pick up a christmas ornament or something like that, but if they think they may want something, they save money earned, gifted $ etc for it. Our boys are 11 (almost 12) and 9 and we have "always" done trips this way (pretty much after they turn 5) this helps get rid of the I want it's and whining or beging in a store (at home or on vacation) it also helps them undertand the value of $ and how much things cost.