What is your souvenir strategy with kids?

[EthansMom]

My kids are 4 and 1.5. For our trip in April, we let DS4 pick out one toy of his choice, more or less. On the first day at MK, he saw a Buzz Lightyear spaceship he liked that was $30 and shot projectiles. We told DS that we wanted him to look around for a few days before picking something out. On day 2, DS found the same spaceship at the resort gift shop for the same price. On day 3, we looked at the toy stores at DTD and found a different Buzz spaceship for $20, but it also shot projectiles. On day 4, DS spotted an X-wing Fighter coming out of Star Tours -- $18 and didn't shoot projectiles. Took DS 4 days but he found a toy that everyone liked.

For DD (11 mos. at time), we took her to the World of Disney store in DTD and let her hold stuffed characters until there was one she wouldn't give back -- Eyeore. I think he cost $22.50 with my AP discount.

So, each child got one toy. I would have also purchased t-shirts or sweatshirts but we didn't see even one that inspired us to pay the exhorbitant prices.

We just don't even go in the stores in the parks, except on the rides that drop off in a store and then we just keep moving. We told our DS several times that we would only buy him one toy, and for the most part, he did really well with just getting one thing.

 

[newtowdw1]

We just got back and had planned/saved for 2 years, so you're not too bad!

DD8 earned a lot of money $130 by doing extra chores (emptying diswasher without being asked was a frequent one). Certain chores had certain values, payable in mom-created disney dollars (decorated index cards). Our parents also gave our kids money. We allowed them to spend it how they chose. It worked very well, and was very eye-opening.
DD8 would be very careful if it was HER money. If it was MINE, she'd have bought the World! She sprang $38 for a custom-painted parasol (pink silk) in France. She paid $12 for face painting in DTD, then went swimming that night without a regret. She bought a Pirates of the Carribean playset for $12, and 2 ponys ($5 and $8) and a box of accessories ($18). She bought a large bucket of popcorn in Epcot ($4?) and a huge lollipop ($4?). Be aware, that if you tell them they can spend their OWN money, that you kind of have to let them spend it! I would never have bought the parasol OR the face-painting. She wants to buy the large Anniversary castle playset for $70.00 next year. I hope they still have it! She is starting up with about $30.00.

DH was in charge of DS4's money. I do not think DH has a very good sense of budgets. I do not think that he will be in charge of DS's money again. Everytime I turned around they were 1) buying pirate accessories 2) playsets of power rangers or... pirates or 3) hitting up a cute CM for pennies for the pressed penny machines.

We bought them each a cool hat ($18) and their ears ($5). We also bought their autograph book (to share). On ebay I got them each a light chaser ($5). We took glow bracelets and gave out bunches on the beach at night. DH bought DS a stupid light up sword and DD an equally stupid light up wand on our last day there. I think it was so noone would cry as we left MK. They were happy with their loot, he was happy to buy something, and I was disgusted with their lack of taste!

Sorry so long!

ETA: We also bought some pins... DD got an Aurora (7.95) DS got Power Rangers (6.95) and I got Lady ... Very little Lady merchandise. Hmmph. I also got a really cute one of Mickey as Santa flying over the castle. I did not buy their pins for them.

 

[alleghator]

These tips are SO great!

We have enough time for the kids to save up (frankly DS 4 has no concept of money yet, so I'll have to save for him). DD(7) will love the idea of spending her own money.

I have a silver charm bracelet which includes charms of all sorts of events amd places we've visited over the years. So, I'll get charms for myself. I find the idea of the Pal Mickey really endearing, so I may splurge on one for all of us before we go (hello, eBay!).

I need to talk to the kids about the frequency of gift shops and how it will NOT equal the frequency of gift buying. And, I want to plan ahead on eBay and at WalMart to get some souvenirs in advance. I think my two would really respond to a few small surprises in our room.

And -- she doesn't know this yet at all -- I'm planning to give DD(7) my old digital camera to take pics as soon as I save up (yeah, eBay) to upgrade for myself. I'll make the camera a nice pre-Disney gift, and then I'll have the added advantage of seeing her Disney pics. I hear the kids' pics always offer a unique point of view. (I'll have to stock up on batteries!)

--Heidi

 

[gabbysmom04]

After reading all these posts I think I am going to be in trouble when my DD1 gets older. We have taken her to WDW twice already and leaving for another trip in three days. I cannot help but buy her everything. I know that I am the ones buying all the stuff, I just don't know how I'll say no when she is older. Lol whats real funny is that I have been saving money for myself since our last trip, and for my own birthday and holidays I ask for disney dollars. I think I am the kid!!!

 

[lamb1022]

My Kiddos all have money that they have been given for birthday and allowance money that they are saving. We are also saving our spare change in a jar.

They are a little older and have been to Disney many times so they know that it is wise to shop around before committing to anything. They usually buy a little something around day two if they just can't stand it, but on the whole, they wait till the end.

We, as parents, have made it really clear though, that when it's gone, it's gone.
Now, my In-laws go with us, and controlling the amount they spend on the kids is hopeless...


Chrissy
Wife to Dave
Mommyx3

 

[graygables]

My DDs are 9 & almost 7. We don't give them allowance, but they earn money doing extra chores for us and my in-laws (next door). The also save their birthday money and anything else they come across. They've been saving all year and each have about $70 right now. They don't know it yet, but I bought them each a $100 WDW gift card, so whatever is over their $70 is part of their Christmas gift. They know the trip is the gift, but I also know the temptations (MY souvenir budget is another matter, entirely! ) They understand how to spend their money "wisely" and always check the quality of the item against the cost to see if it's worth it. I do still maintain veto power, but rarely have to use it. If they ask my opinion, I give it. They have started waiting until the end of the trip and 9yo DD told me she wants to carry a small notebook and write down things she sees so she can decide at the end what she wants to go back and buy (we have an afternoon built in for that)

Our best souvenirs have been eBay pins for trading, charm bracelets, make-your-own keychains, and those princess crowns with the snap-ons! Once they've bought the crown, it's much easier on the budget to just add a few jewels here and there. My Little Ponies were a hit, but Mr Potato Head is "stuffed" in a tub in the basement.

 

[newholidayx2]

DS13 & I just spent two weeks at WDW Aug 13-27.
His souvenier was a new Stitch pin ($6.95) every day. This was the first time he showed an interest in collecting the pins. I did buy other more expensive Stitch pins that he'll be getting at Christmas.

 

[bunnysmum]

Amy~we also do that with DS~point out a child who is having a tantrum, meltdown, whatever, and discuss it. Sometimes it is absolutely not the parents' fault~but so many times, it IS, simply because they allow that kind of behavior! DS knows that he is not to behave that way, and that if he did, we would immediately leave, with nothing. Fortunately, we've never had that problem. More often than not, rather than asking US for whatever it is he wants, he'll say that he will ask Santa for it. Works for me! If it is something he repeats over and over, then "Santa" will consider getting it for him. But most things, he mentions once or twice, then never again!

My dd (age 5) has ADHD and is just kind of a hyper kid/drama queen (I LOVE her to pieces, too, BTW She's an incredible little blessing). She does, however, tend to have some difficulty "regulating her emotional states".

So, to maintain my sanity, I've come up with this strategy. Whenever she launches into one of those "Mom, can I please, please, please have XX" modes, I tell her "Sure, you can *earn* that" and let it drop. She knows that she can earn something special via our behavioral chart...she earns stickers for picking up toys w/out whining or delay, getting herself ready for bed as independently as she can, etc.

If I tell her yes, she can earn whatever she's asking for, she'll calm down and then forget about it 99.5% of the time! If I tell her "no" she escalates. Now, mind you, I DO tell her "no" sometimes, if it's an inappropriate item (I want her to know why), or if she already has one, I explain that, too. But if it's something that she just thinks is cool, strikes her fancy, whatever, I tell her "sure".

Like you, if I continue to hear about it over a period of a few weeks, THAT's how I know it's something she really, really wants, and that's when we either put it on her birthday or holiday wish list, or I put a picture of it on her behavioral chart, and it gives her something to focus on.

All kids are different, of course, and YMMV, but it works for us!!

 

[TeresaMc]

My son is 15 and will probably not want alot in terms of souvineers so I'd guess I'm safe there, plus he has his own money.

On the other hand my 5 yo niece (primadonna sissy girl as she refers to herself) will probably want everything she sees. I am doing the Tinkerbell surprise gifts everynight, hopefully that will eliminate some of the "I wants". But she knows Aunt Teresa is a softy and will give into her most of the time.

She will be able to get a Pal Mickey upon arrival as long as she shares it with me