sshh... Christmas surprise ideas for kids

[morgan5]

We are looking for some ideas on how to surprise our kids (ages 9 & 11). We will be taking them to US and IOA December 25 and 26th. They know we are going to Florida for Christmas, but they think we are going only to visit family near Tampa.

Anybody have neat ideas on how to surprise them? We fly in on the afternoon of the 24th and are staying onsite at RPR. BTW, younger 1 still believes in Santa, and they are both into Harry Potter BIG TIME.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[zack123]

We are looking for some ideas on how to surprise our kids (ages 9 & 11). We will be taking them to US and IOA December 25 and 26th. They know we are going to Florida for Christmas, but they think we are going only to visit family near Tampa.

Anybody have neat ideas on how to surprise them? We fly in on the afternoon of the 24th and are staying onsite at RPR. BTW, younger 1 still believes in Santa, and they are both into Harry Potter BIG TIME.

Thanks for any suggestions!

At what point do you plan to tell them? If you normally fly into Tampa, at 9 & 11 they will know when their flight is headed to Orlando that something is up. They will know when you arrive at RPR - there are "Welcome to Universal Orlando Resort" signs everywhere.

I would have Santa come a day early, on the 24th (or maybe the 23rd, depending on how early your flight leaves). If they're really into HP, you could buy them each a stuffed owl (UO sells them online, or you could probably get a cheaper one somewhere else) with a letter from Hogwarts attached to its foot. You could get really fancy, buy some parchment printer paper at an office supply store, use a calligraphy font, download some Hogwarts crest clipart and make it look really authentic. Or, if you are crafty, you can buy materials at a craft store and hand make your own letters.

Wrap them up and say Santa brought them. In the past I've seen HP Christmas paper, not sure if they still make it. You might also include a HP tshirt they can wear, or a "gift certificate" you make up to purchase one while you are there. If they are really into the HP theme, don't forget to include some details like:

• The Hogwarts Express is temporarily unavailable as it is in Hogsmeade Village receiving an updated Dementor Repelling Charm from Professor Flitwick, so for the next few days, all students will be transported to campus via (insert airline/ground transport here). Mr. Filch would like us to remind you that use of magic is not permitted on Muggle transportation at any time, and that Mrs. Norris will be watching to be sure you adhere to this rule.
  
• As you are arriving mid-year, we have already consulted the Sorting Hat and determined that you will be joining ______ House. As our dormitories will not be available during the holidays, you will be staying at _______, and your temporary Heads of House will be (insert parent names here). You are free to visit Hogwarts castle for a tour and to meet your housemates (FJ ride TMs are all dressed in Hogwarts robes - see if you can find one from their house.)
  
• Replace the "supply list" with a list of things they need to pack in their suitcases. As a bonus, wrap up a tshirt with their house on it and suggest they wear it on their first day, or include in the letter that they are expected to arrive dressed in house colors and let them pick from their own wardrobes.
  
• If you will be flying into Tampa and drivng to Orlando, I'd suggest including a HP-related activity to do in the car (If not, something for the plane?). Perhaps a copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Add, "Professor Hagrid requests that you catch up with your Care of Magical Creatures classmates by reading this book on your journey to Hogwarts."

 

[morgan5]

Thank you so much for the great ideas! I love the stuffed owl idea with a letter attached the foot. They would really get a "hoot" out of that!

We haven't decided yet when to tell them. We fly into Tampa, not Orlando, but like you said they will wonder what's going on when we arrive at RPR, so I think they need to know prior to that.

Again - thanks for the wonderful suggestions and wording ideas for their letters. Love it!

 

[canadiankim]

Zach123 you are either a very creative person or have way too much time on your hands LOL. I really enjoyed your suggestion and think they make great ideas.

On our last trip to Orlando (my kids are the same age DS11, DD 9) I did a treasure hunt around the house. I made up the clues and then they searched around the house, gathered up the clues which ended up with both of them with a small suitcase, sunscreen, sunglasses etc and then the last clue was a rhyme with words that they had to fill in from pictures (yes I too have way too much time on my hands!) My treasure hunt was Florida themed but I could see it being easily done with HP clues.

Have fun planning and enjoy your trip!

 

[zack123]

Zach123 you are either a very creative person or have way too much time on your hands LOL. I really enjoyed your suggestion and think they make great ideas.

On our last trip to Orlando (my kids are the same age DS11, DD 9) I did a treasure hunt around the house. I made up the clues and then they searched around the house, gathered up the clues which ended up with both of them with a small suitcase, sunscreen, sunglasses etc and then the last clue was a rhyme with words that they had to fill in from pictures (yes I too have way too much time on my hands!) My treasure hunt was Florida themed but I could see it being easily done with HP clues.

Have fun planning and enjoy your trip!

Must be the creativity thing, I certainly don't have very much spare time these days. Most days I look like this when I think about my schedule:

Let's just say that had I been a student at Hogwarts, there's a 99.99% chance I would have been sorted into either Ravenclaw or Slytherin. Most people who know me well would describe me as 50% creative, intelligent analyst and 50% cunning evil genius. The final choice would have to be determined by the Sorting Hat.

Anyway, another idea I thought of, for those who have time to make a letter but don't want to deal with stuffed owls, is to somehow have it delivered by a "mysterious stranger" (flight attendant, hotel staff, waiter/waitress, etc.) while you are on your trip. Either ask them to leave it on your child's plane seat during pre-boarding, so they find it when they get on the plane; or slip it under your hotel door in the middle of the night or while you are out, so they see it first thing in the morning or after coming back from a meal; or something like that. You could also have them just hand deliver it, say someone gave it to them to pass along or something. If it's not in mom or dad's handwriting and someone they don't know gives to them, it seems all the more real.