It's a WONDER we have any money left after the Cruise! - All done!

[ACDSNY]

We just put them in any pocket that would hold it. I like the recipe idea.

Another one that was cute was cups, with a snack packet of oreos so you could use the softserve ice cream on the ship and have cookies and cream. DH really like that one.

[PrincessInOz]

We've just completed a Holiday Recipe exchange on the Exchange section where we were to send our recipient a minimum of 5 tried and tested family recipes and 'gifts' up to $15. Not that I'm advocating the $15 value for your FE; but it was easy to just copy and print out some of the recipes I'd previously shared on the WFDT (pictures removed). I put together a proposed meal for a Holiday feast....starter, entree, sides for the entree, dessert, a little something with coffee and a Bourbon Christmas cake recipe.

You could do something similar and print it up; get some ribbon to bind it together with a front page cover or put it into a plastic folder or something.

That would then free up cash for smaller items. You could make up a small "sweet bag" or a little gift for the dads and kids?

[nunzia]

Originally Posted by franandaj

so how do you distribute that? I each lid has a pocket with their name on it, they're going to want what was in "they're" pocket. I've seen Corinna's gifts and I have no hope of being that creative. But I've read reports about people who got pencils, stickers, I guess I could do that along with a couple other things I'm thinking about.

I like the recipe idea, I might develop that!

I think recipes are a very good FE idea!

[dolphingirl47]

I love the recipe book idea. I had some recipe cards and a recipe booklet with Disney recipes on different cruises and always loved them. As to the amount, I usually aim around $1 or $2 per person.

Corinna

[kaoden39]

Hi there!!


I would have been here sooner but I didn't see the link in your signature until I saw you mention it to Jenny!

[rentayenta]

I swear I thought I'd been here but I guess not. Now I need to catch up. The FE is darling.

[QuiltTeddy]

Have been following along with your PTR. In April we cruised on the Dream and particiated for the first time in a FE. I made a small recipe book for the women and a separate item for the men and something totally different for the children. If you have a large group, it's much easier to have something for the stateroom versus male/female/kid gifts. Additionally, bear in mind the recipe books end up very weighy for travelling.

Just putting in my 2 cents.

Hope you have a WONDERful cruise. I'm indeed jealous!

[eandesmom]

Originally Posted by franandaj

Thanks Everyone! I'm really happy about how it came out. I was leaning towards something really busy looking (pattern of material behind the inron ons) and Fran pointed out that it was better to be simple for the background so that the characters stood out. I'm glad I took her suggestion. If I went with a patterned pocket, you would have a hard time reading our names on it. We went with the classic Mickey colors as the boats use the same colors as well.

it's adorable!

Originally Posted by franandaj

So I have this question. About how much do people seem to spend on average for the gifts? I don't want to be cheap, but I don't want to break the bank. It appears that we have 57 folks in our FEE. I asked on the thread and $2 per gift makes it around $100, $4 ups it to $200 and so on. So far no answers, but some people have already said they are done. I wish I could make something, but I don't have that kind of time or creativity.

I love the recipe idea. Some folks didn't do a gift per person or do one bigger gift per stateroom and then small per individual (like candy, tattoos, pencil small). With a big FE it can add up really fast. For our Alaska cruise which was over 100 people we did a bigger stateroom/family gift and then did stickers/candy/small toys for each of the individuals. For our Dream 4 righter we were able to do a lot more simple b/c it was a much smaller group.

[franandaj]

Originally Posted by ACDSNY

We just put them in any pocket that would hold it. I like the recipe idea.

Another one that was cute was cups, with a snack packet of oreos so you could use the softserve ice cream on the ship and have cookies and cream. DH really like that one.

That sounds like a good idea. I'll have to see what I end up coming up with when I go shopping.

Originally Posted by PrincessInOz

We've just completed a Holiday Recipe exchange on the Exchange section where we were to send our recipient a minimum of 5 tried and tested family recipes and 'gifts' up to $15. Not that I'm advocating the $15 value for your FE; but it was easy to just copy and print out some of the recipes I'd previously shared on the WFDT (pictures removed). I put together a proposed meal for a Holiday feast....starter, entree, sides for the entree, dessert, a little something with coffee and a Bourbon Christmas cake recipe.

You could do something similar and print it up; get some ribbon to bind it together with a front page cover or put it into a plastic folder or something.

That would then free up cash for smaller items. You could make up a small "sweet bag" or a little gift for the dads and kids?

I'm hoping to dig out my comb binding machine, I just need to figure out where it is! I can make some cute little books that will fit in the pocket.

Originally Posted by nunzia

I think recipes are a very good FE idea!

Thanks! That makes me feel good.

Originally Posted by dolphingirl47

I love the recipe book idea. I had some recipe cards and a recipe booklet with Disney recipes on different cruises and always loved them. As to the amount, I usually aim around $1 or $2 per person.

Corinna

Good that's about what I was thinking. I've got all the 3 and unders taken care of now just like 58 more!

Originally Posted by kaoden39

Hi there!!


I would have been here sooner but I didn't see the link in your signature until I saw you mention it to Jenny!

Welcome! You snuck in just in time! The fun is about to begin!

Originally Posted by rentayenta

I swear I thought I'd been here but I guess not. Now I need to catch up. The FE is darling.

Shouldn't be too hard, I'm only on page five!

Originally Posted by QuiltTeddy

Have been following along with your PTR. In April we cruised on the Dream and particiated for the first time in a FE. I made a small recipe book for the women and a separate item for the men and something totally different for the children. If you have a large group, it's much easier to have something for the stateroom versus male/female/kid gifts. Additionally, bear in mind the recipe books end up very weighy for travelling.

Just putting in my 2 cents.

Hope you have a WONDERful cruise. I'm indeed jealous!

Yeah, I'm thinking the recipe books for the women. Not sure for the DHs, but ill find something.

Originally Posted by eandesmom

it's adorable!



I love the recipe idea. Some folks didn't do a gift per person or do one bigger gift per stateroom and then small per individual (like candy, tattoos, pencil small). With a big FE it can add up really fast. For our Alaska cruise which was over 100 people we did a bigger stateroom/family gift and then did stickers/candy/small toys for each of the individuals. For our Dream 4 righter we were able to do a lot more simple b/c it was a much smaller group.

We have less than 60 people so that sounds doable.

Big snag today. We had to go to Fullerton today, so we planned to stop by the Disney Character Warehouse out there to look for trinkets. The unfortunate thing was that we drove our 73 Cougar which just completed some $3000 of engine work. Well no sooner had we filled the tank and added lead substitute, about a mile out of the gas station the engine just stopped. I just finished a ride with the tow truck driver back to the repair shop. I'm waiting for the courtesy van to give me a ride home and I left Fran on the street corner because she couldn't climb in the tow truck. For those who know, she's at Palo Verde and Del Amo.

So much for FE shopping today. I have a massage at 5:15 and it's 3PM already!

[kaoden39]

I think men are harder to buy for I think. Most women are happy with anything because you thought about them. Well at least that is the way that I am.

[Pinkocto]

I'm sorry about the car trouble. I hope you and Fran got home safely.

[franandaj]

Originally Posted by kaoden39

I think men are harder to buy for I think. Most women are happy with anything because you thought about them. Well at least that is the way that I am.

Besides that, I don't know men well! Put it this way, most of the men I know would be thrilled with the recipe books!

Originally Posted by Pinkocto

I'm sorry about the car trouble. I hope you and Fran got home safely.

We're in the 21st century car on the way home now.

[kaoden39]

Originally Posted by franandaj

Besides that, I don't know men well! Put it this way, most of the men I know would be thrilled with the recipe books!



We're in the 21st century car on the way home now.

I don't know how I missed that about the car breaking down. I am glad you got to Fran. I hope it doesn't take much to fix your car.



I know my husband would like the recipe book. I am not much help here. One of my DHs friends I would get him a bottle of wine. Other than that I have no clue.

[dgbg100106]

My DH would like the recipe book also, maybe throw a grilling recipe in there and you should be set.


Sorry about the car trouble, glad you made it home safe and sound.

[franandaj]

Originally Posted by kaoden39

I don't know how I missed that about the car breaking down. I am glad you got to Fran. I hope it doesn't take much to fix your car.

I know my husband would like the recipe book. I am not much help here. One of my DHs friends I would get him a bottle of wine. Other than that I have no clue.

Originally Posted by dgbg100106

My DH would like the recipe book also, maybe throw a grilling recipe in there and you should be set.

Sorry about the car trouble, glad you made it home safe and sound.

Now you guys are confusing me! I don't know whether to put the recipe book in the DW or DH pocket! I started writing the books while waiting at the doctor yesterday. I picked a dozen recipes either from Disney or favorites that I've made in our DVC Villas.

Over the last two days I've finished up the FEE gifts for all the kids (well purchasing them) I still have to assemble them.

I have another question for veteran cruisers...what do you do about laundry? Because of DVC, I've learned how to pack light, but that's because I have a washer in the room. Is there somewhere on the ship that you can wash your own laundry? I don't even know how many suitcases we are allowed! Many of my shipmates have received their luggage tags, but I haven't got anything!

I'm not sure I can pack a week's worth of clothes including formal wear! Yikes! At least we are driving to the port.