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From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Christmas

Tickets as gifts for children - good or bad idea?

15 replies

Bakersbum · 13/08/2014 13:46

We're on a really tight budget this year and are really struggling to think what to get dsd's (12 and 9) for Christmas. Their mum has a much bigger budget than us and to be honest our efforts get pretty much overshadowed and ignored each year, which is quite disheartening when we try so hard.

So, we're trying to think outside the box a bit and get something which they will remember, an experience to treasure so to speak. They have never been to a big fancy theatre, so thinking tickets for the four of us to go and see Shrek the Musical just after Christmas, on a Friday night so it will all seem quite grown up and exciting. The DS we have together is too young to go (age 5 limit on it), so will have a sleepover with grandparents, which again might make it more special as it will be all about them.

Do you think that would cut it as their main present, with just a few small things to open? It's really expensive, but with using Tesco vouchers and my ticket as a present off my parents for Christmas it is just about doable. They love singing and dancing etc. and I am pretty sure they would love it, but don't want to disappoint them on Christmas day.

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wheretoyougonow · 13/08/2014 13:49

I think that is a really really lovely idea. Children remember how they were loved and cared for not who bought what at Christmas.
Give it to them in a posh envelope with a big bow on it and I hope you have a lovely time.

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mrsseed · 13/08/2014 13:50

I think that's lovely. My mum did this for my dd. On Christmas day she got an invite with all the details rather than actual tickets. Maybe you could get a shriek small toy to go with the invite.

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nancy75 · 13/08/2014 13:54

I often get tickets as a gift for dd, for something like shrek i would get them the dvd (if they don't have it) and then make a fancy invite- it is a bit more for them to open than just the tickets.

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nancy75 · 13/08/2014 13:55

meant to add we saw shrek when it was on in london and DD really enjoyed it

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Fubsy · 13/08/2014 14:04

I gave my daughter tickets for Phantom of the Opera for Christmas when she was 11, and she was ecstatic - loved having something to look forward to after Christmas as well!

My mum did the same with cats tickets for Dd's 13th birthday and they went down just as well if not better.

A trip to the theatre is a real event I think and kids seem to lover the atmosphere.

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Squtternutbaush · 13/08/2014 14:09

I gave my 7 year old tickets to Top Gear last year.

I put them in a golden envelope, wrapped it in foil along with a giant Wonka bar and bought a retro wonka label from EBay for £1.

DS still goes on about his "golden tickets" that he won like in the movie :o

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Bakersbum · 13/08/2014 14:18

I'm so pleased to get positive feedback, dp is very unsure but I am convinced, especially now that they will love it.

Thanks for the great ideas to present it too.

Excited now .

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LokiBear · 13/08/2014 19:33

Brilliant present! You could put the tickets into a big box with a Shrek teddy, when they open it they will see the teddy holding the ticket and it will make it really special. Plus they will get to keep the ticket. To make it extra special you could look for somewhere local to take them for a meal before hand. Last time me and DH went to 5 he West End we went to a weatherspoons which was cheap as chips. Food was pretty good!

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NerfHerder · 13/08/2014 19:37

We often get tickets as presents- we had a tiny house, lots of generous friends, so really our children needed no 'things', but we've had some really, really lovely family outings together.

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306235388 · 13/08/2014 21:51

Yep I think it's a fab idea.

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Bakersbum · 14/08/2014 20:46

Tickets booked and a box full of shrek stuff on order. Tesco vouchers will treat us to pizza express. Now just have to contain my excitement for 4 months!

Thank you.

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DesperatelySeekingSedatives · 14/08/2014 21:18

I think that's a great idea! In actual fact we've bought DD tickets to see Wicked for her 7th birthday next month (she's a huge fan of everything Wizard of Oz). it's her main present we're really hoping she likes it! It will be her first time going to the theatre other than for a pantomime hopefully that will make it all more the special.

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Katieweasel · 20/08/2014 21:19

We did the same thing last Xmas. We bought our DS a pair of flashing Shrek ears and wrapped those up. It was a lovely day out and he wore the ears!

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aubreye · 20/08/2014 22:22

Sounds lovely, last year DH's parents sent tickets for six of us to see Wicked. DC loved it as did I! DH was a bit overwhelmed I feel....but it's great if it's just your two as then as you said, it's all about them.