Uh-oh, son decides to be "giving"......

[melissamomof2]

My sweet 6 yr. old son decides he feels bad. He told his little buddies at school about our trip in 2 weeks to Disney. The 1 boy told him they never go anywhere(we have to live in the city where my DH is a firefighter...a small city, lots of lower income families) His class is a wonderful group of kids. In fact, most days I find myself with a few of them underfoot here...lol.

Anyway, it started when they were discussing Easter at School. DS's best pal got nothing(maybe they don't celebrate) It was hard explaining that everyone has differant traditions to Ds, and found him bagging some of his candy for his friend. Then we talk about Disney world. He has saved $120 for his own spending money. He wants to know what he could buy the kids in his class with his money(20 kids). While I am impressed with his thoughts of giving, I can't imagine affording gifts for everyone.....I have budgeted this trip and saved Forever to afford this.....

Any CHEAP souvienear ideas????

Thanks,
Melissa

 

[WDWorBUST]

Get some of the Mickey mouse cookie cutters (I think they were like $2.99 or so) and make the kids cookies or rice crispy treats and cut them out with the cookie cutter. They also had little cake pans that were maybe 3"X4" that were hearts and had Mickey's impression in them. I made big chocolates in those - but I think cookies would be cheaper.

 

[CarolMN]

Your son sounds like a very special young man. You must be very proud!

Visit the Gourmet Pantry in DD. We often find "bulk" (inexpensive) souvenirs there. One year we bought plastic straws with Disney characters, and one year it was Disney pencils. One year, we bought packs of "Mickey" shampoo and gave each child one. The candy items always go over well, too. They have lots of cute Disney themed candy items.

I think you will be able to find something nice for less than $1 each.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

 

[Mic]

We purchased a bundle of mickey lollipops(I think there were 4 or 5 to a bundle)for $3.50 each a year ago. We bought several bundles to be sure everyone in my daughter's class got one, and it came out to less than $1 per person. They also have Pooh lollipops for the same price. These were available at most gift shops, the Confectionary on Main Street, and the World of Disney.

 

[m.pots]

I'm a kindergarten teacher and I always try to bring back something for my darlings. This year I am trying to do it as inexpensive as possible. I had all the kids give me their top 2 favorite characters. I'm going to get autographs and take pictures for them. I'll make a special page for each student with their favorite characters on them. I also thought about having the characters sign the back of a postcard as a keepsake for them. Disney also has little magnets, pencils that are very inexpensive. Your son sure is special (but you already know that)! Stickers are also something you could get very inexpensive. I remember last time we were at WDW they gave us stickers at different places for free. They were of the different characters. Just some thoughts!! Have a great time!
Steph.

 

[KellyDVC]

my daughter brought back Pirate's of the Carribean doubloons (small silver dollar sized, aluminum coins), which she bought in a bag at the end of the POTC ride. She then gave each member of her class a doubloon that had WDW, Mickey in Pirate costume, and other impressions on the coin - big hit. Bag of coins (you fill yourself) should cost @ $7, if I remember correctly.

You may also consider pressed pennies, and/or pressed quarters as gifts. Pennies cost $.51, pressed quarters $1.25 or $1.50 - not completely sure. Also these gifts can be somewhat more personable, as there are many machines with varied characters and locations printed on them.

BTW, I just love being dumped from a ride into a gift shop (please note sarcasm).

Sounds like a great son you've got!! He will have so much fun buying things for his friends!!

Thanks and have a safe trip!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

When you go to Downtown Disney, ask at each store you go in if they have stickers. They used to have different stickers at each store, and you can use those on your goodie bags.

Also, when you go into the bakery or places that have take out, ask for a couple of bags to pur your food in. I never use them, I save them and they make good giftbags for your the treats that you find. You can then seal them shut with the stickers.

No cost for either.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Also, make sure you hit the Belz outlet stores and Character Premiere Stores in orlando. They have souveniers at greatly reduced prices.

 

[waughzee]

A few years ago, my DS wanted to do the same thing.

We left a note for mousekeeping with some extra $$ and she left us extra shampoos, soaps, lotions and pens. When a CM would hand DS a sticker, he would ask for enough for the whole class. The All Stars food court had Mickey Straws that we were able to purchase for .25 each. In one shop, I asked for 20 of their smallest bags, and I bought chocolate foil-wrapped "coins." The kids were all happy with their little goodie bags!

 

[dahess]

Our local Dollar Tree always has Disney stickers, Pooh & Tigger figurines & Disney key chains.

Your son is such a sweetie!!

 

[kayeandjim00]

Your son sounds like he has a big heart! What a great kid, you must be very proud! I agree with a lot of the things posted here, especially the straws. I am an adult and I still get one every year. I am sure the kids will appreciate anything that you pick for them.

 

[WDWFOREVER]

Nice to see someone else has this problem! My son (at the time aged 8) is in a class of 29 children and wanted to bring things back for everyone last May. In the end, I went into the candy store on the right as you enter MK and bought a Mickey shaped clear plastic container with, I think, M&Ms in it. He took that into class and Mickey got passed around 4 or 5 times with everyone taking a couple each time. It was $6.95 if I remember correctly. OK, it wasn't something they could keep, but they all really loved the sweets!!

 

[HM]

I love your story. I have a very empathetic son as well.

My daughter's kindergarten teacher brought back each child a large lollipop that looked like Mickey one year. I have no idea how much that cost though. The kids eyes got SO big.

I love waughzee's ideas in the post above. Wonderful ideas.

-HM

 

[melissamomof2]

You guys are the greatest!!!!

My son was pleased with all of the ideas....now to choose!

Thanks again,

Melissa and Christopher

 

[Poohnatic]

Melissa,

This is probably a bit expensive. Such a generous child should spend some of his money on himself!

I've gotten in the habit of buying my employees magnets from every trip to WDW I've taken (they're adding up). My favorites are the circular ceramic ones, about the size of a half dollar (they sell for about 1.50). They're cute (my boys love them) and they are functional, too. Best of all, the child will probably see it on the fridge every day and it will remind them that a friend thought of them!

Suzanne

 

[tink2dw]

I'm Diabetic. So, I visit the First Aide stations a couple of times a trip. They always offer me and my Dd free stickers that are of Minnie as a nurse. So, that is one place to get a few stickers!!

I just PM you an idea!! Check it out!

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

One more for you.....
DD7 wanted to do the same. She asked each classmate who their favorite character from Mickey, Minnie, Pluto or Goofy.
We then made pressed pennies (which she loves doing at WDW) of the character and taped them to a postcard with the character on the front. Hope this helps....

 

[mum4jenn]

On our last trip we bought dd a big bag of Mickey shaped pretzels that she took to share with her classmates at snack time.They all loved them.I think the big bag was around $3. They also sell small bags for around $.79 each.

 

[kelljacques@aol.com]

When we went in November we got the masks from the different countries and my son gave them to his classmates. We also got those books from animal kingdom for the kids to color. His teacher did the masks as a project with the class and darren was a big hit(FOR FREE MIND YOU)

 

[SheilaCNJ]

We also did the big bag of pretzels. They were a big hit with my daughters 2nd grade class.

For my other DD's kindergarten class, I bought a box of stickers for the teacher to use. It was a gift for the whole class.

The little bags of pretzels are nice too and if you ask, they will give you individual small Disney World bags so that each child can have their own goodie bag.

It can be very expensive to get souveniers for everyone. One gift that we gave to family members was boxes of "Mickeyroni" and Cheese. It was a way to share the magic of our trip without breaking the bank.