A little Texas Christmas Magic - 12/21/2012

[skypixy]

Please add us to the ornament exchange. Will you be sending out something with all the names and rooms prior to the cruise?

Usually there is a "Roll Call" or master list with all of the Disers names & stateroom numbers.
I am not that computer literate, but someone usually creates a spreadsheet, especially for those involved in the FE.
I can handle the ornament exchange names, and we can decide on a time/place to have our get together. Depending on how large the group is, I can inquire on reserving a space for a gathering. I don't think we are going to need our own private room yet!

 

[mickeymo]

We are cruising back to back on the 12/21 and 12/29 cruises. We do have to pack our bags and debark and re-embark the ship on the 29th. Is there a place near the port to ship items home that we might have purchased during the first cruise and don't want to haul around during the second cruise? Is there anything to do near the port while we are waiting in between cruises?

The post office isn't within walking distance from the port and the USPS website says it is closed on Saturdays.

The next option would be the UPS store, unfortunately it's not within walking distance either.

http://www2.theupsstorelocal.com/4495/

The port is located on the edge of The Strand, Galveston's historic district. It's a nice area with plenty of little shops to explore. Be on the lookout for markers indicating where the water level reached during hurricane Ike. Next to the Cruise terminals is the tall mast sailing ship, The Alyssa. The train museum is only a few blocks from the port, easily walkable, too.

 

[rsschneck]

The post office isn't within walking distance from the port and the USPS website says it is closed on Saturdays.

The next option would be the UPS store, unfortunately it's not within walking distance either.

http://www2.theupsstorelocal.com/4495/

The port is located on the edge of The Strand, Galveston's historic district. It's a nice area with plenty of little shops to explore. Be on the lookout for markers indicating where the water level reached during hurricane Ike. Next to the Cruise terminals is the tall mast sailing ship, The Alyssa. The train museum is only a few blocks from the port, easily walkable, too.

Thank you for the information. Sounds like no mailing unless it is absolutely necessary. At least there is something to do at the Port of Galveston in between cruises.

 

[skypixy]

So far we have a group of 10 participating~awesome! I would like to propose we keep the ornaments in the $10-$15 range (should've suggested that in the beginning). Hope everyone is ok with that.
And once we get our final group number we can decide on a place for the exchange ( and possible cocktails? DOTD meet?)
I am getting excited because the Christmas stuff is hitting the stores! So many choices!

 

[MJDisFamCruisers]

So far we have a group of 10 participating~awesome! I would like to propose we keep the ornaments in the $10-$15 range (should've suggested that in the beginning). Hope everyone is ok with that.
And once we get our final group number we can decide on a place for the exchange ( and possible cocktails? DOTD meet?)
I am getting excited because the Christmas stuff is hitting the stores! So many choices!

Thanks so much for organizing the ornament exchange it sounds like a lot of fun! So does each person participating in the ornament exchange bring an ornament or is it one ornament per cabin? Also, do we wrap the ornament or have it visible for everyone to see? We have never participated in an ornament exchange before and just want to make sure we are going about this correctly

 

[skypixy]

Thanks so much for organizing the ornament exchange it sounds like a lot of fun! So does each person participating in the ornament exchange bring an ornament or is it one ornament per cabin? Also, do we wrap the ornament or have it visible for everyone to see? We have never participated in an ornament exchange before and just want to make sure we are going about this correctly

We should do 1 per stateroom, and yes, try to wrap it or bring in a gift bag. I will have numbered pieces of paper & we will choose in order.
One of the best parts is meeting the person who got your ornament & vice/versa. Last time my ornament was a small, pewter house. Apparently the custom in that persons land is to hang a representative "home" on the tree to honor those that are not with you at Christmas. I have the paper explaining the tradition packed with that special ornament. Then I had to turn around and explain the Indianapolis Colts snowman ornament to the person that chose my ornament. They were not from the US, so I had to tell them about football teams!!

 

[dfsc]

I have added mickeymo's parents - Tip and Marilyn, Brooklyn, grlzmom, and Hmorale to the FE exchange.

I know several of us are waiting for room assignments. Please make sure you PM me once you receive your room #. I will create a document with all the information after we finalize the list and room #'s.

PLEASE check post #65 in this thread to verify I have the correct information listed for your cabin.

I want to make sure everyone is on the list with the correct information!!!!

 

[dfsc]

Skypixy -
Yes, I am in for the ornament exchange. You already have me on the list.

Add the exchange "details" to the post with the list (#133) so we know what is required to participate.

 

[rsschneck]

I am not sure if this has been posted already but I called and asked about the movies while onboard. We will have 3 movie premiers while onboard.

These are subject to change

Toy Story 3
Tangled
Chimpanzee
The Avengers
People Like Us
Timothy Green
Brave
Wreck It Ralph (premier)
Lincoln (premier)
Monsters Inc 2 (premier)

 

[theeighthdwarf]

Can the ornaments be homemade or do they have to be store-bought ?

My mother in law is interested in signing up but I thought I should give her the details first.

Thanks, Lauri

 

[skypixy]

Can the ornaments be homemade or do they have to be store-bought ?

My mother in law is interested in signing up but I thought I should give her the details first.

Thanks, Lauri

See post 133 for details. I also PMd you~

 

[skypixy]

Skypixy -
Yes, I am in for the ornament exchange. You already have me on the list.

Add the exchange "details" to the post with the list (#133) so we know what is required to participate.

Done!

 

[theeighthdwarf]

Thanks for your help sky pixie!

Please go ahead and add my mother in law Debbie to the ornament exchange. She is not on the disboards yet.

Thanks, Lauri

 

[kidz dream]

Hi Skypixy I wanted to clarify what I understand about the ornament exchange I take a ONE PERSONAL ORNAMENT value at $10-$15 and get a ticket into the EXCHANGE???...if so I'm interested. Somewhere along the postings I got a little confused.LOL!!!.Thanks.

Would u happened to have piks of ornaments that were exchange from your prev cruise?

 

[skypixy]

Hi Skypixy I wanted to clarify what I understand about the ornament exchange I take a ONE PERSONAL ORNAMENT value at $10-$15 and get a ticket into the EXCHANGE???...if so I'm interested. Somewhere along the postings I got a little confused.LOL!!!.Thanks.

Would u happened to have piks of ornaments that were exchange from your prev cruise?

Hi! It's like any other gift exchange you've gone to. So if I have 12 people sign up, I number slips of paper 1-12. Everyone picks 1 slip of paper from a hat/bag. I will have the boxes/bags on a table. Then we choose an ornament in order, #1 goes first. (That is why it is fun to have them wrapped). We will make sure no one ends up with their own.
Please see post #133. I can look for my ornament, but it might take a few days....

 

[rsschneck]

Oh, it's only one ornament to bring and you leave with one ornament. That sounds like fun! Count us in for the ornament exchange then. I was thinking it would be more like the fish extender.

We could run it like a white elephant exchange where there is stealing involved. It's fun and it takes a little bit longer. So, I guess we get together somewhere on the ship (in one of the lounges) say on December 24th (?) and do the ornament exchange. Sounds like fun!

 

[rsschneck]

Okay everyone I hope you have enough fancy clothes for this.

We have one formal and two semi formal nights on this cruise.

Formal night is Saturday Dec. 22, 2012 (Sea Day)
Semi-formal night is Tuesday Dec. 25, 2012 (Sea Day)
Pirate Night is Wednesday Dec. 26. 2012 (Costa Maya)
Semi-formal night is Thursday Dec. 27, 2012 (Cozumel)

 

[skypixy]

Oh, it's only one ornament to bring and you leave with one ornament. That sounds like fun! Count us in for the ornament exchange then. I was thinking it would be more like the fish extender.

We could run it like a white elephant exchange where there is stealing involved. It's fun and it takes a little bit longer. So, I guess we get together somewhere on the ship (in one of the lounges) say on December 24th (?) and do the ornament exchange. Sounds like fun!

It will be fun! I am going to discourage the "stealing", though. Stealing is often a lot of fun when the group knows eachother well or when it is a "white elephant" gift no one wants to be stuck with.
I don't want anyone to get the impression that their ornament wasn't good enough & wasn't kept/stolen. This is a chance to meet & enjoy eachother, I would feel terrible if someone's feelings were hurt over an ornament.
Let's keep it simple & depending on the size of the group decide whether to meet in a lounge or deck area. (somewhere to get beverages!)

 

[rsschneck]

It will be fun! I am going to discourage the "stealing", though. Stealing is often a lot of fun when the group knows eachother well or when it is a "white elephant" gift no one wants to be stuck with.
I don't want anyone to get the impression that their ornament wasn't good enough & wasn't kept/stolen. This is a chance to meet & enjoy eachother, I would feel terrible if someone's feelings were hurt over an ornament.
Let's keep it simple & depending on the size of the group decide whether to meet in a lounge or deck area. (somewhere to get beverages!)

Never thought of that. Agree to keep it simple. Would not want hurt feelings.
Count us in! Still sounds like fun and beverages are
always good 

 

[MJDisFamCruisers]

Happy Halloween everyone! Only 51 days left until our cruise!