Could be H&F related - question

[taratru]

We've decided to start gifting experiences to our kids instead of more stuff this Christmas.  I'm so tired of all the stuff!  So we're trying to decide if we let the kids have any input... like do we do research and give them a top three choice list?  Do we ask them for ideas and then do the research and decide?  I'm thinking mostly about trips.  We talked about Disneyland next summer, or a cruise next year...but that's hard for the kids to wrap their heads around, ya know?  So maybe even a long weekend trip (driveable)?  Or concerts?  Or other things I'm not thinking of?

I guess what I'm asking is for any feedback you guys have in terms of cool and interesting places to take three girls who vary so much in age (17, 10, and 4), or other things we could do as a family while not breaking the bank completely.  Thoughts?

[labbie]

We don't have kids of our own, but my bff and her husband have been doing this with their kids for the past three or four years, and for the same reason.
Their youngest was about 10 when they started, and they've done a cruise or two, a trip to Cancun, and I believe to new Orleans, and one to a ski vacation over new years.
If the timing of the trip isn't too close to Christmas, I'd consider still doing stocking stuffers for Christmas and then a creative way to announce the upcoming trip. Maybe wrapping something they could each open with them photo shopped into a pic of Disneyland or wherever.




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[Wines Not Whines]

Does it need to be one big family gift or can each kid get her own special event? These could be smaller things like a concert, tickets to an athletic event, maybe somthing like Disney on Ice for your 4 year old. We've asked family to get us museum and zoo memberships as gifts.

[AAM2012]

I remember when I was 12 my dad, brother and I were going in this big summer road trip across the entire US. My dad each let us pick one spot on the map and we made it a part of our trip.

My brother and I both picked some random place in the middle if nowhere (we liked the names of the towns) and they both ended up being one of the best places we stopped at. We still talk about it to this day.

Could you give them a say within a certain geographical area? Or maybe instead of the place you go they could plan an entire day or afternoon during an already scheduled vacation?

[sadlebred]

Would the 4 year old and 17 year old like going to the same places? I agree with another post, maybe get them a different, local experience. That way you or your DH can go with them, spend quality time one on one, and they get to do what they want to.

[jordylee]

Nov 23, 2014 21:41:25 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

Would the 4 year old and 17 year old like going to the same places? I agree with another post, maybe get them a different, local experience. That way you or your DH can go with them, spend quality time one on one, and they get to do what they want to.

I agree with this also. As a kid, I probably would have been bummed if "all" I got for Christmas was the promise of a family vacation that was 6 months away while everyone else got lots of presents to unwrap. Obviously I would love for someone to give me a vacation instead of gifts as an adult, but I don't think a 4 year old would really get it. Concert tickets for the 17yo, an outing to a sports game or something similar for the 10yo, and disney on ice for the 4yo would probably be more exciting for each of them than everyone getting dragged to something that is basically a compromise for everyone rather than geared toward them specifically. Then you could do a CD of the artist you're seeing, a jersey for the team, and a disney doll to go with it so they still have something tangible.

[Deleted]

Any of them into horses? A few lessons at a local riding school as a taster is a great gift!

[shauni27]

My parents did (and still do) this and I love it!

Memberships to local museums. Pottery classes. Family cooking classes. Membership to a local pool or Y or water park. Ski lessons (I cannot remember where you live...) Tickets to a sporting event. Zip Lining. White water rafting. A lot of these are gifts my parents have given both my sister and myself as well as me and my hubby, and all of them are so fun.

[gt7301b]

Nov 23, 2014 22:39:41 GMT -5 jordylee said:

Nov 23, 2014 21:41:25 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

Would the 4 year old and 17 year old like going to the same places? I agree with another post, maybe get them a different, local experience. That way you or your DH can go with them, spend quality time one on one, and they get to do what they want to.

I agree with this also. As a kid, I probably would have been bummed if "all" I got for Christmas was the promise of a family vacation that was 6 months away while everyone else got lots of presents to unwrap. Obviously I would love for someone to give me a vacation instead of gifts as an adult, but I don't think a 4 year old would really get it. Concert tickets for the 17yo, an outing to a sports game or something similar for the 10yo, and disney on ice for the 4yo would probably be more exciting for each of them than everyone getting dragged to something that is basically a compromise for everyone rather than geared toward them specifically. Then you could do a CD of the artist you're seeing, a jersey for the team, and a disney doll to go with it so they still have something tangible.

I really like this idea, I also thinks it would help if the events are sooner rather than later, especially for the little one.  When I was 5-10 my mom did this and I was allowed to bring a friend.  My birthday is over the summer and we usually did it close to the actual day.

[juliabug]

I think with the big age gap it would be better to get each of them a different experience. Your older ones might enjoy a musical, cooking class or concert. Some sort of lessons might be fun for the youngest one- like swimming or gymnastics. A membership to a children's museum, zoo or something like that might be nice, too.

[gncorman]

I have been doing this for years for my niece and nephew (16 & 13). I have them list off 3-4 places and experiences. They often talk amongst themselves and have similar items. We have gone to Baseball Hall of fame, hockey games,midnight showing of movies, shopping days, and museum. We give them mock gift certificates on Christmas day. Sometimes we do the trips together,sometimes one on one. We have been doing this for years. Their parents appreciate this and every year we check with the kids that they want this and we always get a yes. I would consider the individual listing by each kid and see if there is overlap that could result in a family trip.

[ktzmoh]

I agree with the PP in that it might be hard for the 4 year old to wrap her head around a promised trip 6 months away. I think something more local and individual would be better - like a trip to an amusement park and let her bring a friend? Disneyland might be doable if you plan the trip for early in the year so she doesn't have to wait long (plus it wont be crowded), and you could do something creative like one of those paper chains she can tear off a link every day to count down to disney. Also, that would be easy to get a couple of small things to unwrap for her. But the 17 year old may not be into Disneyland. When I was 17 I would have loved concert tickets for me and my friends.

[boston340]

What about a family weekend trip to one of those hotels with a waterpark in them? Tubing at a local ski resort?