FE UPDATE FOR AUGUST 2013
For all of you "first timers", here's an explanation of a "Fish Extender Gift Exchange" that I have modified from a tablemate on my April 2012 cruise who is also a Platinum
Castaway Club Member and active DIS-er. Thanks to DebT!
Beside every cabin door is a large metal silver fish (or starfish or seahorse) with an indentation in the back for cruise personnel to leave information, invitations, etc. Teenagers receive invitations to Teen Club activities and we've also received "rebooking onboard" price quotes tucked in our fish.
DISboarders have taken the silver fish (starfish, seahorse) one step further... by creating hanging pockets (much like cloth letter holders) to hang from the fish (or starfish, or seahorse) - thus the name, "Fish Extender". The Fish Extenders (FEs) can be made of practically anything (cloth, plastic, paper gift bags, etc.), as long as they have at least one pocket that can hold surprises. Many are personalized with the names of those in the cabin and there are even sellers on ebay who will create them for you.
On each "Cruise Meets" thread (such as this 10-20-13 one) someone usually organizes a little gift exchange during the cruise. So folks, this time around that someone is me! People sign up by giving their cabin number, names of everyone in their cabin, and ages of the kids so that everyone will know how many goodies to bring and where to deliver them. Some people give one gift per family, some people give a little gift to each person. It's totally up to the giver to decide what to give and when to give it during the cruise.
There are several threads on the main cruise boards that discuss ideas for FE gifts. Some gifts are from Dollar Stores, some are handmade, and some are bought in bulk from websites that sell trinkets like the Oriental Trading Company. Often, they are stickers, candy, glow sticks, lanyards, etc., with themes such as pirates, beach, cruise, tropical, hometown, holiday, etc. The main idea is just to have fun finding little goodies in your FE throughout the cruise. Kids LOVE running back to their cabin to see if anything's been left in their FE. As an adult, I have to admit that I love it, too!!!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Also, this thread has tons of info and ideas about FE Gift Exchanges:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219607
I speak from personal experience that it really is a LOT of fun to participate!
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So for our FE group I am opening up the sign up at this very moment!
To sign up, send me the following details via Private Message here on the DIS Boards
DIS Board name
Names of each person participating
Ages of each person under 18 who is participating
Stateroom #
Contact email address
On the thread here I will maintain a list of participants only by DIS-Board name. The sensitive material such as stateroom number will only be shared with the participants.
Deadline for signing up for the FE Exchange is Friday September 20, 2013. This will allow a full 3 weeks for people to complete any personalization of gifts that they may be choosing to do and ensure that there is not last minute stress just before the vacation.
I will monitor the size of the group closely and if it begins to grow rather large, we will look at dividing it into smaller groups if that is what is desired.
The main point of this is to have some fun while on board as well as having some fun in the preparation and anticipation of the cruise ahead. So let's have fun!
Christopher
Confirmed participants: 8 cabins with 24 people
ALCooper3
2 adults and DD (6)
D73 (Cabin 1)
2 adults
D73 (Cabin 2)
2 adults
networktek
2 adults
bigvig1130
2 adults, DD (11), DS (1)
trparsons
2 cabins with 3 adults, DD(12), DD (10), DD (6)
Crmls
2 adults, DD (7), DD (6), DS (2.5)
At this time there are many that have posted here on the thread that they are interested in participating however I have received very few details via PM. I realize some of you are still new to the DISBoards so are not granted permission to send PM yet. I will try to send a PM to you with my email address so you can confirm participation if you wish. The following I have included details as they have recently posted intention to be involved and I await their emails:
rshagelberger (Cabin 1)
2 adults, DS (5)
rshagelberger (Cabin 2)
2 adults, DS (8), DS (3), DD (3)
mullinsfam4him
2 cabins with 4 adults, DS (9), DS (4)
