Does anyone have a good idea for a gift to give on opening night of a play or musical for your kids? I like flowers, but I would like a momento of the show even more. Any thoughts?
I got my daughter a necklace that was in the shape of the Broadway street sign. She loved it.
All through HS - we gave D a pandora charm for each show, tying into a theme from the show (some literal, like a fairy tale book for into the woods, some more abstract, palm tree when she was in Aida). By the time she graduated her bracelet was full, and each was a special memory
When my daughter did The Fantasticks I found a gorgeous music box that played “Try To Remember” that I gave her on closing night. It was very special!
We like to give Christmas ornaments that match the show. We’ve also given things like necklaces that match the theme and a photo from the show in a frame.
@toowonderful, I did the Pandora bracelet for my older daughter. Loved it! I am wanting to do something different for the younger but can’t come up with a better idea (cause that one was pretty great). I must say, the more obscure high school plays got a little difficult to find a charm that fit the show. Haha!
For my S, we’ve done t-shirts from broadway shows he’s seen or would like to see. I’ve also found figurine type things that are of characters he’s played. When he was the lion in Wizard of Oz, Hallmark had a whole line of Wizard of Oz stuff. When he was Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast - Hot topic had the vinyl figures out for the B&B movie. We also have an amazing professional photographer that does pictures of dress rehearsal, and we get the photos digitally prior to the end of the show. We’ve had an end of show gift of a framed picture sometimes too.
I have not done this personally, and they are expensive as heck, but I know someone who made a Doob (a 3-d figurine) of their kid in costume from a significant show (they got permission to borrow the costume etc). You would need to be REALLY committed, you have to go into a special booth (and there are limited locations) but I have to say- the final product is incredible.
I also know someone who did this for the bride and groom on the top of the cake - which seemed “slightly” more realistic to me - my understanding is, they cost several hundred dollars.
I’ve found old playbills and memorabilia from original Broadway run of a show, sometimes even signed, for really great prices on Ebay. I’ve also done Christmas ornaments, posters (printed at Walgreen and cheap frame from Hobby Lobby), a tie with character from show or similar to show on it, and the old favorite…gift cards.
Hugs and Starbucks/Chipotle gift cards - to be used as they head to rehearsals for the next show they have inevitably lined up!
For a recent really big opening that I had to miss, I sent an edible arrangement! They are expensive… but for a really special opening are a great option! (Especially when you are stuck in another state!)
@kategrizz, we did the same for D’s final show of college last spring - we wanted to do something other than opening night flowers since her grandmother was already sending some. They can do “themes” and they were so nice/helpful when I called - it was adorable and appreciated!
I may be the type to go overboard, but I usually create an opening (or closing) night gift for each member of cast and crew (if it’s not a HUGE cast). I find something (a prop/line/idea) in the show and create a gift around that. For example, for Parade, I gave everyone a little 'bouquet" of engraved pencils that said “Leo and Mary, Never Forget”. For another show with a small cast, they referenced a really obscure 40’s drink so I got all the cast the ingredients to make the drink and try it for themselves. Stuff like that which is really fun for me to do and the cast always love them.
I started giving my kiddo figurines of the character she played.
@IfYouOnlyKnew … I LOVE THE OLD PLAYBILL (FROM EBAY) IDEA!!!
@KaMaMom Thank you. It is usually a big hit with S. 
I found a woman on Etsy who makes Playbill Charms and a few years ago I gave my daughter a bracelet with all of the playbills, it was full. So I am waiting to get a few more under her belt before i get a second.
This year my sister is making a glass mosiac looks like stained glass with symbols from her last four shows. She is doing a rainbow for Joseph with all the colors from the song. A wand from Wizard of Oz (she was Glinda) A sparkly top hat for Chorus Line and we haven’t figured out what to do for Mary Poppins…
@KTVoice - the parrot umbrella!
@toowonderful Excellent idea!