12/19/2009 - 12/26/2009 Magical Christmas Cruise! It's not that far Away?

[crystald]

We just booked 2 cabins on this cruise. It is our 4th dis cruise.
Myself and my husband dd13 ds12 will be going.We too are interested in the FE gift exchange so please sign us up.

 

[itutorfortravel]

We just booked 2 cabins on this cruise. It is our 4th dis cruise.
Myself and my husband dd13 ds12 will be going.We too are interested in the FE gift exchange so please sign us up.

Welcome to the thread! Just got your info posted on our roll call on page 9, post #133...trying to work on getting the post or a link to it moved up to the first page to be more convenient.

 

[itutorfortravel]

Hey everyone!

The roll call is expanding! It's awesome! And I think so far there could be as many as 26 people participating in the FE exchange so I thought we better start talking about that a bit...

I wanted to ask who might be interested in taking over the FE coordination as we get closer to the cruise? I am keeping a spreadsheet of everyone on the roll call and can send that to whomever wants to coordinate the FE stuff as we get closer to the sailing date...

I am traveling on this cruise with extended family who have have never been on a cruise. So DH is really counting on me to take care of everything for them and show them the ropes. That being said, I'm sure I will be feeling a bit overwhelmed on the day we board and it's unlikely that I will be able to do a DISmeet when we first board in order to update the cabin info. So I'd enjoy maintaining the roll call for us, but would like to pass the torch to someone else for the FE exchange as we get closer.

So anyone interested?

Thanks, Kimberly

 

[robynchic]

Where does your DF teach / work? One of my students just spent a couple weeks at the Savannah College of Art and Design doing some sort of summer program and loved it! She is entering her senior year here and hopes to get into the school in a couple years after she does some of her pre-reqs closer to home. She is a very talented artist.

He's actually the assistant dean of students, but he doesn't work at SCAD.

 

[lovesDCL]

Jhoanna, what grade do you want to teach?

Higher level high school English, so 11th or 12th grade...we'll see how it all works out!

 

[itutorfortravel]

Looks like the moderator who I asked for help on anchoring the roll call at the beginning of the thread put a big link on the top of page one that will jump to the list. It's great! So a big thank you to lbgraves for her help!!!

Now everyone can just go to the link at the top of page one to get to the current roll call.

 

[Downrivermama]

Hey everyone!

The roll call is expanding! It's awesome! And I think so far there could be as many as 26 people participating in the FE exchange so I thought we better start talking about that a bit...

I wanted to ask who might be interested in taking over the FE coordination as we get closer to the cruise? I am keeping a spreadsheet of everyone on the roll call and can send that to whomever wants to coordinate the FE stuff as we get closer to the sailing date...

I am traveling on this cruise with extended family who have have never been on a cruise. So DH is really counting on me to take care of everything for them and show them the ropes. That being said, I'm sure I will be feeling a bit overwhelmed on the day we board and it's unlikely that I will be able to do a DISmeet when we first board in order to update the cabin info. So I'd enjoy maintaining the roll call for us, but would like to pass the torch to someone else for the FE exchange as we get closer.

So anyone interested?

Thanks, Kimberly

Kimberly, I would be able to do it!

 

[itutorfortravel]

Kimberly, I would be able to do it!

Thanks, Tina! That would be awesome

I'll keep track of the roll call info with notes as to who wants to do the FE exchange and then send it to you when we get closer to our sailing date, unless you want it before then. Whatever you think would make you feel more comfortable is fine by me!

Take care,
Kimberly

 

[robynchic]

Ok, I'm starting to consider the FE. DF may not be completely pleased, but I'm sure he'll appreciate my amusement by it. Would I need to make separate compartments for each of us, or one larger FE?

 

[riggins]

Ok, I'm starting to consider the FE. DF may not be completely pleased, but I'm sure he'll appreciate my amusement by it. Would I need to make separate compartments for each of us, or one larger FE?

I've never done an FE, so I'm no expert, but I did a lot of searching to look at pictures of other people's FEs and I think you can do whatever you prefer. Some people just had a big gift bag hanging on the fish! I'm sure some people will have separate gifts for each of you and some will have a gift to share. So, I don't think there is a "preferred" way to do it. I'm going to make a pocket for each of my DDs, but I haven't decided if DH and I will share a pocket or not. My mom is going to help me sew, so I may go the distance and do 4 pockets since I have some expert assistance!

 

[robynchic]

Do we have to drop things in people's bags every day? I have an idea of something I may make (yes, make...)

 

[crystald]

My daughter age 13 started a cruise meet forum for kids for our cruise if any kids want to join in.

 

[itutorfortravel]

My daughter age 13 started a cruise meet forum for kids for our cruise if any kids want to join in.

what a great idea! what is the link? my dd may be too young to do this, but others may love it!

 

[itutorfortravel]

As I add people to the roll call, I am starting an Excel spreadsheet as well with all the same information.

I have never done an FE exchange before, so I'm not sure how this data would be best organized. In other words, when you guys do FE exchanges, do you typically do something for the adults separate from the kids and if so do you choose things for the kids based on gender and age? If so, I was thinking of how I could organize the info to make it easy for us to select and purchase items? Like, should I group them by "Girls / under age 3" , "Boys / 3-5 years old", etc.?

Also, do you all want to say that everyone in the group will have an FE gift for all other cabins, or if we end up with a lot of people doing the FE exchange, do you want to do subgroups? I have read of some FE groups getting to be as many as 100 cabins, and I'm wondering if that becomes a little overwhelming in terms of cost, packing, and delivery time?

Y'all let me know what you think! Thanks!

Kimberly

 

[riggins]

what a great idea! what is the link? my dd may be too young to do this, but others may love it!

I think its a great idea too . . . although this trip is a surprise for my DDs. We're planning to tell them the day we leave. Is anyone else surprising their kids?

 

[lovesDCL]

As I add people to the roll call, I am starting an Excel spreadsheet as well with all the same information.

I have never done an FE exchange before, so I'm not sure how this data would be best organized. In other words, when you guys do FE exchanges, do you typically do something for the adults separate from the kids and if so do you choose things for the kids based on gender and age? If so, I was thinking of how I could organize the info to make it easy for us to select and purchase items? Like, should I group them by "Girls / under age 3" , "Boys / 3-5 years old", etc.?

Also, do you all want to say that everyone in the group will have an FE gift for all other cabins, or if we end up with a lot of people doing the FE exchange, do you want to do subgroups? I have read of some FE groups getting to be as many as 100 cabins, and I'm wondering if that becomes a little overwhelming in terms of cost, packing, and delivery time?

Y'all let me know what you think! Thanks!

Kimberly

Hi Kimberly,

I've only done one FE exchange before and it was not organized by age or anything. We were two adults and got Hannah Montana stickers/magnets! (which was fine as I'm sure there were many cabins that enjoyed these)

Our FE Exchange organizer set days for each group to distribute the gifts (not the first day and not the last day of the cruise) so that there would be gifts almost everyday.

The gift we decided to give were cruise themed picture frames which would work for every cabin regardless of the make up of that cabin.

I plan to do something similar this time. (Not picture frames, but something that will work for all.) I actually already know what I'm doing...it's the OCD planner in me...
Having a gift that will work for the entire cabin also keeps the cost low!

However, I'm open to whatever the group decides.

 

[riggins]

As I add people to the roll call, I am starting an Excel spreadsheet as well with all the same information.

I have never done an FE exchange before, so I'm not sure how this data would be best organized. In other words, when you guys do FE exchanges, do you typically do something for the adults separate from the kids and if so do you choose things for the kids based on gender and age? If so, I was thinking of how I could organize the info to make it easy for us to select and purchase items? Like, should I group them by "Girls / under age 3" , "Boys / 3-5 years old", etc.?

Also, do you all want to say that everyone in the group will have an FE gift for all other cabins, or if we end up with a lot of people doing the FE exchange, do you want to do subgroups? I have read of some FE groups getting to be as many as 100 cabins, and I'm wondering if that becomes a little overwhelming in terms of cost, packing, and delivery time?

Y'all let me know what you think! Thanks!

Kimberly

Hi Kimberly-
I've never done this before either, so I sure those with some experience will have other ideas. But it would seem to me that you'd want to sort the spreadsheet by cabin # to make it easier when you deliver things. Then along with the cabin #, you'd want a column for the number of adults and then some variation of columns for the kids. I like your idea of breaking the kids down by boys/girls and age groups.

Based on my last check of the Roll Call, I think we have 8 families which are made up of 15 adults and 10 kids. So for now, I think if everyone gives to everyone else once, that's good. However, if we grow to be a lot more people, I like the idea of doing two groups (i.e. group A gives to others in group A and group B gives to others in group B). So, I guess it depends on how many more people join in.

Does anyone have any recommendations on when you "close" the FE and no longer add participants? I don't want to exclude people who want to participate, but I'm sure its difficult to buy/make more gifts at the last minute. Just curious what others have done in the past.

Have a good day!
Leslie

 

[itutorfortravel]

Leslie, I sooo wish I could hold out and surprise my DD with the cruise, but I am bursting at the seams to tell her! Out of 9 of us cruising, she is the only one who doesn't know!!! Step-DD knows, as does my niece, so I think we're going to tell DD this weekend. Hope she will be excited!

I also like your idea of sorting by the cabin numbers. I will absolutely do that. In addition, you are smart to think of a closing date and / or capacity for the FE exchange. I think most DISers are long term planners, so that would probably be helpful to most.

So, let's talk about either setting a date or a certain # of cabins...anyone care to throw a number out there? As far as a date goes, I think we need to back it up to sometime in November only because some people do handmade gifts and that will take time, not to mention the additional demands on everyone's time at the holidays. We don't want FE exchanges to be stressful for anyone. So do you think mid-November is too early or late to set up a deadline?

Jhoanna, I think we could all decide whether we want to give either a cabin gift or individual ones. My organizing the data by ages would only be done to help those who decide to do things for adults separate from the kids and to be sure to get age / gender appropriate items.

Aside from not doing the FE exchange on the last day of the cruise (due to packing), how would you all feel about allowing everyone the flexibility to distribute their FE gifts on the day that works best for them? Can you see any problems with doing this? I'm suggesting that only because none of us know what each day will be like for us, whether we may be feeling rushed by a shore excursion, wanting to get down to an autograph session, a show, etc., and since the FE exchange is supposed to be fun, maybe having some flexibility would not cause any undue stress for anyone. What does everyone think of that?

I love the idea of breaking into subgroups once the group gets to a certain size. I don't think we've gotten anywhere near that threshold yet, but what would you guys say is a good point to break out into subgroups?

Kimberly

 

[Downrivermama]

As I add people to the roll call, I am starting an Excel spreadsheet as well with all the same information.

I have never done an FE exchange before, so I'm not sure how this data would be best organized. In other words, when you guys do FE exchanges, do you typically do something for the adults separate from the kids and if so do you choose things for the kids based on gender and age? If so, I was thinking of how I could organize the info to make it easy for us to select and purchase items? Like, should I group them by "Girls / under age 3" , "Boys / 3-5 years old", etc.?

Also, do you all want to say that everyone in the group will have an FE gift for all other cabins, or if we end up with a lot of people doing the FE exchange, do you want to do subgroups? I have read of some FE groups getting to be as many as 100 cabins, and I'm wondering if that becomes a little overwhelming in terms of cost, packing, and delivery time?

Y'all let me know what you think! Thanks!

Kimberly

I doubt this FE Exchange will grow that large. You can do whatever you want for FE gifts, candy, tatoos, stuff from Oriental Trading is inexpensive. On the EB Repo last year it took me about 2 hours to deliver goodies.

Hi Kimberly,

I've only done one FE exchange before and it was not organized by age or anything. We were two adults and got Hannah Montana stickers/magnets! (which was fine as I'm sure there were many cabins that enjoyed these)

Our FE Exchange organizer set days for each group to distribute the gifts (not the first day and not the last day of the cruise) so that there would be gifts almost everyday.

The gift we decided to give were cruise themed picture frames which would work for every cabin regardless of the make up of that cabin.

I plan to do something similar this time. (Not picture frames, but something that will work for all.) I actually already know what I'm doing...it's the OCD planner in me...
Having a gift that will work for the entire cabin also keeps the cost low!

However, I'm open to whatever the group decides.

If you are handy with crafts, that is an option too! We got many magnets, mickey ears for the door, address books, etc.

Hi Kimberly-
I've never done this before either, so I sure those with some experience will have other ideas. But it would seem to me that you'd want to sort the spreadsheet by cabin # to make it easier when you deliver things. Then along with the cabin #, you'd want a column for the number of adults and then some variation of columns for the kids. I like your idea of breaking the kids down by boys/girls and age groups.

Based on my last check of the Roll Call, I think we have 8 families which are made up of 15 adults and 10 kids. So for now, I think if everyone gives to everyone else once, that's good. However, if we grow to be a lot more people, I like the idea of doing two groups (i.e. group A gives to others in group A and group B gives to others in group B). So, I guess it depends on how many more people join in.

Does anyone have any recommendations on when you "close" the FE and no longer add participants? I don't want to exclude people who want to participate, but I'm sure its difficult to buy/make more gifts at the last minute. Just curious what others have done in the past.

Have a good day!
Leslie

I was thinking that since I volunteered to keep track for the FE Exchange that I could do a spread sheet sorted by deck and cabin numbers.

Things we received: candy (tootsie rolls, hard candy) pirate tatoos, homemade magnets, little trinkets from Oriental Trading, glow sticks, buttons, CD's with cruise music, pens, pencils, mini calendars, to do lists.

I already decided what I will do. I got it in the FE exchange last year. It was real neat and I can handmake it!


I would say at this point, don't stress about it. But I would suggest that we have a cut off date or number of cabins that can participate. Maybe no more than 75 cabins or cut off date of 11/21/09.

 

[riggins]

Kimberly and Tina-
I agree that this group probably won't grow so big that we'll need 2 groups. We'll need a pretty big increase in participants pretty fast for that to happen! I think we can wait to discuss this more if we get a lot more people.

I like the idea of leaving the day flexible, for all the reasons Kimberly mentioned. Does anyone have any objection to that?

It sounds like we're all having the same thought about a cut-off date. What about 11/19 . . . its one month from sailing, so it seems easy to remember.


Tina - On a completely unrelated note, I LOVE the "good example" quote in your signature!!


Take Care!
Leslie