<p>Build a Bear has been my savior for so many shows! If you sew at all you can modify the outfits they have at the store to match your child's costume, or make your own outfit for the bear to match. I've made props to match my D's show props as well. The bears themselves aren't that expensive, and the small amount of fabric needed for the costumes doesn't cost much either.
I've also checked Ebay for show items - posters, playbills from when the show was on Broadway.</p>
<p>Perfect timing for this question. I just heard on the radio that Vermont Teddy Bears has a Prince Charming bear. Good for a prince charming in Cinderella?</p>
<p>Even my D gets embarrassed at flowers sometimes, if the display is too big for her comfort zone. But I was in theatre, and now that she is too, I've seen lots of boys/men get flowers. If you're talking about a lot of kids, one thing I've wanted to do and not yet done it (because it takes advance planning and I don't know your time frame)...is to get personalized M&Ms. Something with the date/name of show etc. You can order them in little boxes or just in a bag and put them in boxes from craft stores (Michaels, Hobby Lobby...if you have those in your area). They're too expensive to get for one kid (at least too expensive for me). I THINK you have to buy 4 little bags but you get to pick two colors and two imprints. I think it's mymms.com (or something close to that). And it does take some time.</p>
<p>Flowers are always OK - male or female. Speaking as a male - I would have preferred my family just enjoy the show and say so. When gifts were given, I'd usually be happier about something related to the show (I got "fuzzy Dice" once when in Guys & Dolls). Still, the best gift is support and encouragement.</p>
<p>I started a tradition of giving my son tickets to a Broadway show to congratulate his accomplishments. The first was tickets to Les Mis a number of years ago. We went together and had a great time. I always purchase discount tickets in advance. Two tickets, one for him and one for either me or his Dad. Once, we let him take a friend instead of me or my husband. It is a bit expensive but we always purchase in advance at discount. At this point, the precedence is set so I am always on the lookout for good deals. He is always thrilled by the gift. Not sure what this year will be!</p>
<p>OP here. I found a locally owned stuffed animal making store (local version of Build a Bear) that had sailor suits, so I did a stuffed monkey (he likes Curious George) in a sailor suit for Son. That was so cute that I made a bear for my daughter (switched out a little cheerleading skirt for the pants). I figured that Daughter would like the bear a lot more than flowers.</p>
<p>Ouch, the VT teddy bear prince is $89 before shipping. Cute but what will he do with it afterward? I copied & pasted the photo to his computer desktop this AM just for fun cause in this economy that's as close as he's getting to a $100 teddy bear! I'll probably do flowers...</p>
<p>Don't know how much time you have, or if you have Build a Bear near you - but their bears are MUCH cheaper than VT Teddy Bear. They probably have some individual outfit pieces you could put together to make a Prince Charming costume (might require a trip to a craft store for any accessories or ribbon for the sash like in the VT Teddy costume...). I thought of doing VT bear for my daughter years ago - then checked the prices and YIKES! Build a Bear has worked great for me - cheaper, and I'm able to personalize the bear to really match her costumes. (Now she's in college and not performing anymore - she's moved to the dark side and is loving stage managing - hmmm... is there a stage manager bear in her future?)</p>
<p>That sounds doable. I've always wanted to go into build a bear but since my daughter was older when that store opened I've never been. How is the search for internships going? Did you check into the CT theatre I mentioned on the other thread famcruisefun?</p>
<p>Melsmom - PM'd you about internships so this thread can stay on topic. Hope the bear works out!</p>
<p>Son and daughter loved loved loved their sailor/sailorette stuffed animals!!!</p>
<p>Yay! Congrats to them on their performance and to you for being the supportive and thoughtful mom.</p>