What to do about Santa

[nextbigloser]

Here is my situation: We are taking our 3 kids to Disney from the 23 - 27. This is a surprise for the kids and it is the Christmas present. Kids ages are 13, 11, and 8. I plan on giving each of them a gift card so that they can buy themselves a souvenir at one of the parks. The kids know that we are going away for Christmas but they only think we are going to visit their grandparents. My daughter (8 yrs old) made a comment to me yesterday that when we get home there will be presents from Santa. I don't have the extra money to buy gifts from Santa too. I am not sure of what to do. I don't want her to be disappointed. Do I tell her Santa sent us the tickets? If I say that she will wonder what Mom and Dad got her.

 

[emma'smom]

Any chance that you can pick up a few "big wow-lost cost" things to leave under the tree for her (assuming that your older children understand the whole Santa thing by now) like a stuffed-animal or play make-up kits? I find that my kids are less concerned about the cost and more interested in the NUMBER of things?

Maybe there is one less thing you can do at Disney (Do a counter service meal one night instead of table service?) to save 50.00 and put them towards gifts?

 

[ALittleDisneyFan]

That is a toughie. I would say Santa is doing something extra special this year (trip) and that there won't be any presents to open.

 

[tlens]

If someone is checking your house, ask them to put some presents from Santa under the tree to open when you get home. That's what we did one year.

 

[nextbigloser]

Yeah my other 2 know about Santa so I don't have to worry about them. Maybe some low price gifts would be good. I have family that can put them under the tree while we are gone. I didn't think this one through LOL. I was so excited about our trip that it never crossed my mind about gifts from Santa too.

 

[Cloud9]

A co-worker of mine goes away every year for a Christmas vacation. His five children are all under the age of 8. The parents tell the children that since the trip is expensive Santa sends money to "help" pay for the vacation. When they get back there are one present under the tree for each child, but the children knows that the vacation is from both Santa and their parents.

I hope that helps you.

 

[PJAY]

Here is my situation: We are taking our 3 kids to Disney from the 23 - 27. This is a surprise for the kids and it is the Christmas present. Kids ages are 13, 11, and 8. I plan on giving each of them a gift card so that they can buy themselves a souvenir at one of the parks. The kids know that we are going away for Christmas but they only think we are going to visit their grandparents. My daughter (8 yrs old) made a comment to me yesterday that when we get home there will be presents from Santa. I don't have the extra money to buy gifts from Santa too. I am not sure of what to do. I don't want her to be disappointed. Do I tell her Santa sent us the tickets? If I say that she will wonder what Mom and Dad got her.

Get a gift card sent to the room Christmas morning with a note from Santa saying he missed them at home but left the gift card so she could get something extra special at Disney! Maybe have a CM deliver it that morning? i am sure they would be willing to help you out

 

[tlh0726]

I agree with PJAY. However I would not rely on a CM to show up exactly when you want them to.
So after the kids go to sleep, place the note and gift card (don't forget the bright colored fancy bows) somewhere that they will see as soon as they wake up or maybe under their pillows.
For note something along the lines of Santa knew Mom and Dad were surprising you with a trip to disneyworld and since Disney is a very special place Santa wanted to give you this gift card instead of toys so that you could pick something that was extra special to you so that you would always remember this wonderful christmas with your family.

 

[DVCisME]

Have Santa write a letter telling them about Disney and how that is his gift to them this year.

 

[mickeywho?]

We're doing the same thing this year. And yes- Santa was actually a big concern when we were deciding and planning this trip.

We didn't want to tell the kids that Santa would be helping to send us to disney or have them expect the annual pile of presents under the tree when we got home. Our youngest said he was going to write a letter to Santa to let him know we will be at Disney so he could drop off their gifts there.
To save disappointment my dh and I decided that we will bring the kids stockings and fill them up with small treats and silly little toys and a gift card for each of them to go to the Lego store. We'll put them out in the room after the kids have fallen asleep and that will be Santa's gift to them.

HTH!