FE disapointment?

[PrincessTrisha]

I've found the FE to be better on longer cruises than on short ones. On our Dream cruise, we received much less than we gave (i.e. we gave to 50 cabins but got back from 20 max) and we did get a lot of "cheap" stuff (penny candy, a single pencil, stickers or tattoos). On our 5 night magic cruise or the 7 night cruises we've done, the FE has generally been of better quality and more consistent participation (i.e. we gave to 11 cabins and got back from 10 on our 5 night Magic cruise and received far less penny candy).

 

[wcw57]

That is why people are getting upset, they think that the other participants can afford what they can. You have to step away and realize why you are doing this in the first place? Is it to give or is it to receive? Everyone has their own budget, but you have to be realistic that not everyone can budget as much as you! 15x$50=$750.00 No way can I afford that.

50 gifts?!?!?!? y wasn't there a cutoff at 20 or 25 and split the lsits into an A and a B or whatever....

I'll be gosh darned if I'm dropping off 50 gifts on my VACATION where I go to relax and have fun, not run around the halls of a ship. Oh, and I'm NOT giving gifts to anyone over the age of 14...nor do I want any trinkets. If someone is handing out $50 bills, I'll reconsider the FE participation thing

 

[elaine amj]

From what I have read, shorter cruises tend to trend towards simpler gifts and longer cruises trend towards more elaborate ones.

When I did mine, I didn't realize just how many hours I would spend making our FE gifts (I went with something simple and low-cost - time consuming though!) Still - it was fun and I don't regret participating. my kids had sooo much fun coming back to the cabin each day to see what was in their bag

 

[COASTIEandMATE]

Unfortunately, FE exchanges started out as just a cute, little fun gift exchange. More recently it's become "who can create the best/most extravagant/costliest gift". And having everyone put their character/color/food/whatever preferences really is limiting. Well, except for allergies, which probably should be noted. With that, people are disappointed.

We've done 4 full FE exchanges and pixie-dusted a couple of others. I liked the gifts that were the more personalized "see what we have where we're from" sort of gifts - postcards, little wood carvings, local candies. Don't get me wrong, I'll take candy of pretty much any variety, but trying new stuff is fun. Also, personalized (with cruise information) magnets were nice.

We are from Hawaii and love bring a little Aloha from the islands! Little packs of macnuts, like you get on a plane, and something small that says Hawaii!We still enjoy sharing in the FE fun!!

 

[Bree]

50 gifts?!?!?!? y wasn't there a cutoff at 20 or 25 and split the lsits into an A and a B or whatever....

I'll be gosh darned if I'm dropping off 50 gifts on my VACATION where I go to relax and have fun, not run around the halls of a ship. Oh, and I'm NOT giving gifts to anyone over the age of 14...nor do I want any trinkets. If someone is handing out $50 bills, I'll reconsider the FE participation thing

No. That reads 15 cabins multiplied by $50. Insane that people spend that much! I can think of a heck of a lot more to do with $750.....like a deposit on another cruise!!!!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are from Hawaii and love bring a little Aloha from the islands! Little packs of macnuts, like you get on a plane, and something small that says Hawaii!We still enjoy sharing in the FE fun!!

Exactly. That's why I've moved to the pixie-dusting format. I don't actually sign up for the FE exchange, but I get a copy of the list and I generally make little....well, I'm not going to say - you may be on a cruise with me someday . Anyway I make them for the kids on the list and drop them off. Adult gifts have gone by the wayside.

 

[skullsplitter]

This worries me a little. We aren't crafty people nor do we have time to try to make things on our own. All of ours will be store bought and we aren't spending a whole lot. We are going to the parks first so we are also going to pin trade for pins that match characters on our list for FE gifts too. I had no idea people were expecting so much out of this. I assumed it was just a fun thing to do and a way to mostly give the kids a little extra surprise.

 

[lilbuddy88]

Exactly. That's why I've moved to the pixie-dusting format. I don't actually sign up for the FE exchange, but I get a copy of the list and I generally make little....well, I'm not going to say - you may be on a cruise with me someday . Anyway I make them for the kids on the list and drop them off. Adult gifts have gone by the wayside.

Exactly I wanted to participate for our first time this summer because it goes along with our current lesson we are doing in children's church about giving and I thought this would be a nice real life tie in for my kids as I wasn't going to tell them they might get something back. But the complaints I read turned me away so maybe I can do something like you mention.

 

[elaine amj]

This worries me a little. We aren't crafty people nor do we have time to try to make things on our own. All of ours will be store bought and we aren't spending a whole lot. We are going to the parks first so we are also going to pin trade for pins that match characters on our list for FE gifts too. I had no idea people were expecting so much out of this. I assumed it was just a fun thing to do and a way to mostly give the kids a little extra surprise.

I love your idea! Pins would be an awesome FE gift And how much fun to hunt down the characters to match those on your list. VERY cute.

 

[mcd2745]

I have little tolerance for people who come on here and complain about the gifts they received (too much candy, too much dollar store/Oriental Trading suff, etc.). It's totally obnoxious to expect everyone to give you (and everyone else in the FE group) clever, hand-made, personalized gifts with your favorite colors and your favorite characters, etc. Didn't your parents ever teach you the phrase "You get what you get, and you don't get upset"? Not everyone has that kind of time to dedicate to that. I know I sure don't - not even close. Even if I did have that kind of time, I don't have a creative or crafty bone in my body to make such things. If someone does have the time and ability to make great gifts, that's fantastic. Just don't assume that everyone else does.

I think one of the biggest problems is when the lists/groups are established, and there are people who then want everyone to share all sorts of info - names, ages, favorite color, favorite characters, other preferences, and so on. This should be avoided. Names and ages is all that should be shared for the purposes of the FE list. No should be put into the position of having the mom from the family in stateroom 6536 come back here to complain about the gifts you gave because her little snowflake didn't get any gifts with his/her designated favorties.

 

[MarleneP]

We are taking our third Disney Cruise over Christmas 2015. It will be the first time we will participate in the FE. I have read a lot about the whole process. I am going into it was only positive thoughts. My sons, 15 &10, are looking forward to it, as well. Since we will be cruising on xmas they are looking forward to getting to play Santa. The gifts I buy/make is something that I would like to receive and my boys agreed. I was very disappointed in reading how many people get upset over the gifts they receive. Everything from saying things are cheap, useless, thoughtless, and dollar store crap! What happened to "it's better to give than receive?" People complain about the candy but my boys are looking forward to it since I limit what they are permitted to have when not on vacation. They already have a plan to save what they get to eat in the movies. I often look at "trinkets" as temporary. They will be used once or twice and when the entertainment value is gone it gets thrown out. Things from birthday party goodie bags are very similar. Kids (which I thought the FE was about) generally love these kinds of things.
So....If anyone is participating in the FE for the xmas cruise....bring on the candy....bring on the pencils....bring on the crap......My family will love and appreciate everything we get!

 

[5xdisneyfans]

I have little tolerance for people who come on here and complain about the gifts they received (too much candy, too much dollar store/Oriental Trading suff, etc.). It's totally obnoxious to expect everyone to give you (and everyone else in the FE group) clever, hand-made, personalized gifts with your favorite colors and your favorite characters, etc. Didn't your parents ever teach you the phrase "You get what you get, and you don't get upset"? Not everyone has that kind of time to dedicate to that. I know I sure don't - not even close. Even if I did have that kind of time, I don't have a creative or crafty bone in my body to make such things. If someone does have the time and ability to make great gifts, that's fantastic. Just don't assume that everyone else does.

I think one of the biggest problems is when the lists/groups are established, and there are people who then want everyone to share all sorts of info - names, ages, favorite color, favorite characters, other preferences, and so on. This should be avoided. Names and ages is all that should be shared for the purposes of the FE list. No should be put into the position of having the mom from the family in stateroom 6536 come back here to complain about the gifts you gave because her little snowflake didn't get any gifts with his/her designated favorties.

I was posting this out of being curious on how it went for everyone else. Our one and only FE so was our first Disney cruise. I signed up and was given everyones favourite colour and character, shoe size, shirt size.....everything! Was told to customize each persons gift to what they like. So I made real effort to pick/make stuff for each person according to the likes. Then when we received all of our stuff it was all the same for each person and nothing personal about it. So only expected something different because of what I was told what to do. If it wasn't for the way it was set up I would have not expected anything. I am debating about doing it again next cruise because my kids did love it and I never said anything negative to them about it last time. I just put alot of time and effort into each persons so that is all I was expecting in return was more personal picks of stuff. So I just seeing if this is the usual experience or not. I am totally cool with whatever we would get if it wasn't made to sound like it was going to be more personal. I never complained to anyone about what we received and kept my thoughts to myself because it was only because of all the work I put into mine that I was disappointed. Will be more happy and relaxed the next time if it is kept more simple. Thought the instructions were always the same in every group so it is good to know it isn't.

 

[Crystal O_o]

It's all in fun, and when you worry about what you got or didn't get, you suck out all the fun! Geesh! It's an experience, and that's worth nothing in return to me. Just as long as my children have fun and I can afford it.

 

[SteelersLover]

I have little tolerance for people who come on here and complain about the gifts they received (too much candy, too much dollar store/Oriental Trading suff, etc.).

I 2nd that!!

I've participated in FE's and enjoyed the gifts because they were "gifts". Some crafty and some store bought (like those I'd give out - I'm way too busy before vacation to craft up ideas and items). For my recent cruises I've opted to simply hang a bag on the door and surprise my DS10 with stuff I purchased from party city for about $1 each. The surprise of getting something in the bag still excited him and that's what matters to me.. I read these threads alot and I think that people expect too much.

 

[Minniemiss]

We don't participate any more either. In the beginning there were no lists or signups. You saw a FE and you dropped a little something in , sometimes it was just a note. People have taken it way too seriously and over the top, imho.

Yes I am the instigator of the Fish Extender I had NO idea that it would get this big. I still laugh when I see LONG threads about fish extenders and their gifts.

The intent is to share with other DISr's. Put a gift in and if you get a gift in return that is a bonus! I always have fun passin out the FE gifts on the cruise. But now.... I won't know who is a DIS'r and who isn't! There are other groups that have adopted the fish extender.

My favorite quote from a guest in the hallway was.... "those things hanging on the doors must mean that there are children in the room"

I am glad the tradition continues and can't believe I innocently started a phenomenon 4 years ago on the FIRST time through the Panama Canal

Debbie

 

[pgroom48]

This worries me a little. We aren't crafty people nor do we have time to try to make things on our own. All of ours will be store bought and we aren't spending a whole lot. We are going to the parks first so we are also going to pin trade for pins that match characters on our list for FE gifts too. I had no idea people were expecting so much out of this. I assumed it was just a fun thing to do and a way to mostly give the kids a little extra surprise.

I'm not crafty either so I wait till Disney online does their 40% off sale and then buy clearance items. It works out to a few dollars (usually 1 dollar and change but nothing over 5) and they are still Disney. I do this for the never ending Bday party at my kids school/daycare. If someone doesn't like my gift or think I spent enough that is their problem, not mine. I really just enjoy seeing my kids get so excited. I usually will add something myself for them and get a kick out of that too.

 

[pgroom48]

I was posting this out of being curious on how it went for everyone else. Our one and only FE so was our first Disney cruise. I signed up and was given everyones favourite colour and character, shoe size, shirt size.....everything! Was told to customize each persons gift to what they like. So I made real effort to pick/make stuff for each person according to the likes. Then when we received all of our stuff it was all the same for each person and nothing personal about it. So only expected something different because of what I was told what to do. If it wasn't for the way it was set up I would have not expected anything. I am debating about doing it again next cruise because my kids did love it and I never said anything negative to them about it last time. I just put alot of time and effort into each persons so that is all I was expecting in return was more personal picks of stuff. So I just seeing if this is the usual experience or not. I am totally cool with whatever we would get if it wasn't made to sound like it was going to be more personal. I never complained to anyone about what we received and kept my thoughts to myself because it was only because of all the work I put into mine that I was disappointed. Will be more happy and relaxed the next time if it is kept more simple. Thought the instructions were always the same in every group so it is good to know it isn't.

Goodness that is a lot of instructions and constraints and seems to take some of the spirit out of it. You can always do your own by yourself like others have posted. We did that one year because we forgot to sign up. It was a Halloween cruise so we did a bunch of Halloween themed stuff from the dollar section at target, like fake teeth, spiders etc. my kids loved it and we're convinced it was the Disney Crew that we're giving. LOL they still have no idea who did it.

 

[Julylady]

Wow, I have participated in about five different FE exchanges over the years and had no idea there was any expectation for certain types of gifts. At most, we spend $5 per cabin, often less. We have never personalized anything and I don't have a crafty bone in my body. We try to give kids gifts that are age appropriate. We have often given candy or gum to teenagers.

Over the years we have received some very nice, thoughtful gifts as well as candy and more trinket-type items. We have loved them all! I also don't mind dropping them off since it gives me a chance to explore the ship and see the door decorations. Overall, FE gifts have been a positive and fun addition to our cruises!

In my opinion, if someone is "disappointed" with the FE gifts, I think you are missing the whole idea and you should not participate in the future.

 

[wcw57]

I posted...on a different thread about FE's...pick one/any one....that I just don't get adults participating in the exchange
anyhow, there were myriad replies (some indignant) pointing out how much the grown-ups LOVED getting bottle-openers, key chains, and/or tiny boxes of candy (which I wonder how they don't melt on the way to the ship...but THAT's another thread)....I'll be ding-donged if I want or need any of those things. Send me the money you would have spent and I'll apply it to my account

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I was posting this out of being curious on how it went for everyone else. Our one and only FE so was our first Disney cruise. I signed up and was given everyones favourite colour and character, shoe size, shirt size.....everything! Was told to customize each persons gift to what they like. So I made real effort to pick/make stuff for each person according to the likes. Then when we received all of our stuff it was all the same for each person and nothing personal about it. So only expected something different because of what I was told what to do. If it wasn't for the way it was set up I would have not expected anything. I am debating about doing it again next cruise because my kids did love it and I never said anything negative to them about it last time. I just put alot of time and effort into each persons so that is all I was expecting in return was more personal picks of stuff. So I just seeing if this is the usual experience or not. I am totally cool with whatever we would get if it wasn't made to sound like it was going to be more personal. I never complained to anyone about what we received and kept my thoughts to myself because it was only because of all the work I put into mine that I was disappointed. Will be more happy and relaxed the next time if it is kept more simple. Thought the instructions were always the same in every group so it is good to know it isn't.

It really sounds like someone was trying to control the whole group by specifying so many restrictictions. Personally, I'd probably bow out of a FE group that had that many "rules". I agree that name, gender, age would really all that's required. For those more crafty than I am, they can put out a call to the group asking if they would specify favorite colors/characters/whatever, but I'd suggest not expecting everyone to reply.