My trip to wdw this spring will be the first time I visit without my parents, grandparents, and sister. I want to get some gifts for them while I am down, but I am also a poor college student. I was wondering if anyone had any good gift ideas for them that cost about $20 or less. My parents are in their 40's, my grandparents are in their 60's, and my sister is a sophomore in high school. Any ideas would be much appreciated!
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Choosing gifts for people back home
- Thread starter Book Belle
- Start date
Crazy4WDW1
Active Member
If they are coffee drinkers, you can always find mugs, both the travel kind and ceramic. They run from $12 to $20. They have nice kitchen hand towels and pot holders for around $10 - $15. Christmas ornaments can be bought in sets and split. I've done that myself. Some picture frames can be reasonable. Do they like a particular resort? Sometimes the resort merchandise can be found for a little less. You just have to look around. I have even found some items on clearance.
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
I've always found it hard to buy for my parents/grandparents just because they have what they need and if they want something they get it. As tacky and self-absorbed as it seemed to me at one time, I've found that my parents & grandparents enjoy getting pictures of my family from our adventures. I've got a stock-pile of frames I've bought over the years while at WDW and have yet to take out of the boxes. I plan to print some of our photopass pics from the cd when we get it and take those over next time I go visit. As for your sib, if she's in school look for her some fun pens or a cute journal. They have a great variety of stationary & office/school supplies. Try to think of things she'd use in her day to day life. Or, find a little figurine or something with her favorite character.
Mikester71
Well-Known Member
Our first couple of trips, we bought my dad a WDW hat and my mom a WDW shirt. They both liked them and wear them a lot still. Our last trip however, we ended up buying them some Goofy Saltwater Taffy and a few smaller things and they LOVED it!
tigsmom
Well-Known Member
Things I've brought home --
coffee mugs, t shirts, magnets, small book (a favorite is a Hidden Mickey book), a picture frame, a new pin for a collection and my personal favorite that I have received (and also given) is a Christmas ornament. My daughter brought me back a small Tigger one day when I was too sick to join them in the parks. What do they collect, maybe you can add to the collection in some small way.
Don't think that you have to get each person a separate gift, one gift for your grandparents (a nice frame with a photo of you) or for your parents will do the trick. It's very thoughtful of you to want to do this and I'm sure anything you bring will be greatly appreciated.
coffee mugs, t shirts, magnets, small book (a favorite is a Hidden Mickey book), a picture frame, a new pin for a collection and my personal favorite that I have received (and also given) is a Christmas ornament. My daughter brought me back a small Tigger one day when I was too sick to join them in the parks. What do they collect, maybe you can add to the collection in some small way.
Don't think that you have to get each person a separate gift, one gift for your grandparents (a nice frame with a photo of you) or for your parents will do the trick. It's very thoughtful of you to want to do this and I'm sure anything you bring will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for all the great suggestions so far! I wouldn't have thought of sending postcards or getting snack foods. It will be helpful to have an idea of what to look for instead of wandering from store to store. Please let me know if you have any more wonderful ideas!
NewfieFan
Well-Known Member
Great thread... I'm always looking for ideas myself on what to bring home to family and friends!
My mom's favorite character is Donald so I'll try to find her a little something with the duck on it! If they have a favorite character then that might be an option. It's very thoughtful too (you remembered their favorite character)!
Practical things are always nice for parents and grandparents. Some of my favorites include cup towels, reusuable shopping bags (my mom loved hers), note books, coasters, etc.
Pictures are a nice gift too (as others have mentioned). You can find some reasonably priced frames... and then put a picture in them! I have kids, so the grandparents love a small photo album with pictures.
And treats... everybody loves a treat from WDW! They're not expensive but tells the person you've thought of them on vacation!
My mom's favorite character is Donald so I'll try to find her a little something with the duck on it! If they have a favorite character then that might be an option. It's very thoughtful too (you remembered their favorite character)!
Practical things are always nice for parents and grandparents. Some of my favorites include cup towels, reusuable shopping bags (my mom loved hers), note books, coasters, etc.
Pictures are a nice gift too (as others have mentioned). You can find some reasonably priced frames... and then put a picture in them! I have kids, so the grandparents love a small photo album with pictures.
And treats... everybody loves a treat from WDW! They're not expensive but tells the person you've thought of them on vacation!
raceroom
Member
Well if you drive then stop off at St Augustine Florida at the prime outlets and go to character premier outlet. Disney blows out stuff from the parks same stuff just at half or more than half the price. I think there is one outside the parks in Orlando as well. We like the one in Augustine better cause gives you a nice break when you are driving. Picked up some nice pins for trading last time I went there. :wave: Have fun.
wdwwdeagle
Member
Some of my favorites for adults:
--there is a silver mickey-head shaped trivet that's about $15 that I think is a great gift. It's not overly Disney-fied (the head is a free-form shape, not the standard circle w/ears, so it kind of just looks like a swirl at first glance), and it can fit in a drawer with your hot pads in the kitchen, and then put out when you need it for cooling a dish, or serving a hot dish.
-- also, dish towels are a great gift. They're inexpensive, and everyone can use a new dishtowel every so often.
For a high school sophomore, I'd probably choose a box of treats, a little change purse or telephone holder/cover, fun socks or gloves, or even flip flops.
--there is a silver mickey-head shaped trivet that's about $15 that I think is a great gift. It's not overly Disney-fied (the head is a free-form shape, not the standard circle w/ears, so it kind of just looks like a swirl at first glance), and it can fit in a drawer with your hot pads in the kitchen, and then put out when you need it for cooling a dish, or serving a hot dish.
-- also, dish towels are a great gift. They're inexpensive, and everyone can use a new dishtowel every so often.
For a high school sophomore, I'd probably choose a box of treats, a little change purse or telephone holder/cover, fun socks or gloves, or even flip flops.
For the grown ups- I've done stuff like the Mickey shaped mac'n'cheese with a spatula, pens, antenna toppers. They even have some great dress socks for men. My step-father loves them. They are Disney- but not so obvious.
The new store in DTD (attached to Team Mickey- not sure what it's called) has great trendy t-shirts, jewelry, etc for your sister.
The new store in DTD (attached to Team Mickey- not sure what it's called) has great trendy t-shirts, jewelry, etc for your sister.
Tinkrbell
Active Member
I had my first solo trip right after Christmas. I didnt get anyone Christmas presents because I was planning on buying them presents at Disney. My dad's favorite ride is Buzz Lightyear, so I got him a toy astro blaster gun for around $12. My mom really likes the Mickey pretzels, so I got her a few bags of those & a little tote bag. My brother kept saying he didnt want anything from Disney (he's almost 19 & too "cool" for Disney). During our last trip, my mom & I got him some drinking glasses that he really liked, so I got him a few more of those. My sister is 22 & planning on going down with her friends next fall. Her last trip was 6 years ago, so I decided to get her a tshirt. I found one with the retro logo & Mickey on it.
They all seemed to like what I got them. Just think about what kind of stuff they like. Don't forget to leave room in your suitcase for everything you're gonna buy.
They all seemed to like what I got them. Just think about what kind of stuff they like. Don't forget to leave room in your suitcase for everything you're gonna buy.
LoriMistress
Well-Known Member
There's a store in DTD that sells stuff around $20 and less.
Walt Disney1955
Well-Known Member
When we went recently a cousin of mine drove us to the airport and picked us up again. We told him we'd get his three kids something at WDW. So we bought them those giant suckers that are probably bigger than a softball but flat of course. If you throw a stick at WDW you'll find a store that sells them. They have all the characters on the front of the package of the sucker
smk
Well-Known Member
I also have brought back spoon rests, my sister, mom and I have those, ice cube trays, pot holders, hand towels, clocks and dangly key chain ornaments, to name a few things. All of those items were priced right for someone on a budget.
I brought my girlfriends kids some mickey mac and cheese meals, hot chocolate mix and cookies. That is always a hit, bring back food!
I also frame my postcards from all places I visit. I place them in frames and hang them up, really great art, and I am reminded of my favorite places often when I take some time to look at them.
I brought my girlfriends kids some mickey mac and cheese meals, hot chocolate mix and cookies. That is always a hit, bring back food!
I also frame my postcards from all places I visit. I place them in frames and hang them up, really great art, and I am reminded of my favorite places often when I take some time to look at them.
One Lil Spark
EPCOT Center Defender
The World Showcase will be your best bet trying to find gifts for adults that aren't too overly childish or Disney-fied. Not only can you get them something they'll like/enjoy, but it doesn't have the Disney stamp all over it.
Crazy4WDW1
Active Member
I love bringing home prizes for friends and family from WDW. They have some nice wine stoppers for anyone that likes wine.
Computer Magic
Well-Known Member
That is what we do. We love the China store.