Fish Extenders-Be Honest

[Erica.M]

Generally, a list made of latecomers (ones who missed the original cut off date) who will give gifts, but may not get gifts.

Thanks!

 

[jtba]

honestly we loved everything we received from our FE pals. there were hand-sewn bags, personalized mickeyhead keychains, disney-themed christmas ornaments, magnets, necklaces, and a myraid of other wonderful gifts. one of them that didn't cost a whole lot to make always stands out in my mind whenever people post they're concerned about the costs of making FEs. this particular family was from a different continent, and they made a little paper map of their country, indicated the city they're from, and included a little blurb about it. now i always know the exact location of that particular city when it's in the news, and think of the family fondly.

there will always be people who complain about this and that, but to me, FE is all about giving joy to other people to the best of your ability. it's not about how much money you spend. and if the receiver doesn't like what you give, it's their loss.

 

[bethy]

http://www.amazon.com/J-Hungerford-Smith-Chocolate-Topping/dp/B0044V2VTE

Might want to try these, have to heat up, but nothing a cup of hot water can't fix

Thank you!!! Gotta love amazon!!

 

[Kerrigirl]

This is our first cruise and we have signed up for FE...sounds so fun!

 

[Laine Anderson]

Can someone give a few examples of what you considered "good" gifts that you received? Thinking about doing this in May and don't want to be that person that gives the stuff no one wants or appreciates.

*personalized bottle cap magnets
*keychains
*character specific bath products
*hand made crayon holder in Disney fabric - zips closed
*hand made men's jewelry square - the corners snap together to create 'walls' to hold stuff
*hand made tote bag
*mini bottles of booze
*insulated cup
*princess playset - mini doll with plastic snap-on dresses

 

[darnheather]

There are a number reasons I will be participating in the FE on my upcoming cruise.

1. I think it's part of the entire Disney cruise experience. This will probably be the one and only so I want to make the most of it.
2. I have a fantastic organizer who is making the process very easy by having hard deadlines and splitting the groups into no more than 20 cabins.
3. My daughter is having her birthday on board so I think it will be an added fun for her.
4. I have social anxiety and will probably not meet or talk to anyone otherwise and this will help me reach out to people in a way I am comfortable with.

I am doing two groups of 20 cabins each. For one group I am making something for each person. For the second group I'm giving a gift per cabin. In total I don't think I've spent over $100. I have no doubt we will get candy and trinkets that will seem small in comparison to what I give. But here is the thing. It will make my children happy. Each and every tiny piece of candy and trinket will bring a smile to their face. In the weeks after every time we take a piece of that candy our trip will be just a little bit extended. I think that is worth every penny that I spend.

 

[californiamomofboys]

I guess it depends on what kind of person you are. Do you like trinkets, small souvenirs and consider yourself sentimental about things? Or do you live more streamlined, less cluttered, and feel that less is more? Both types of people are wonderful, but I wouldn't participate in a FE group if I considered myself to be more the latter.

 

[turtle27]

My husband and I are going on our first cruise in a few weeks. I joined a FE group cause I thought it sounded like fun. I do realize we aren't traveling with children and there is only one other cabin with adults only and it seems like they are grandparents of the family in the cabin next door that is also in the group. Does it seem weird that we are participating?

Nope, my group is 100% adults 100% of the time. DM, two daughters and friend. We joined an all adult FE for our last cruise, we don't have enough (yet) on our next ones or would also be doing the adult only. And before I get any haters, it is because I am so out of touch with what any kid, from ages 0-18 would even want. I have no idea what is cool any longer, and it stresses me out, lol. Adults I can do, kids, whole 'nother area.

 

[AngelinaVP]

Nope, my group is 100% adults 100% of the time. DM, two daughters and friend. We joined an all adult FE for our last cruise, we don't have enough (yet) on our next ones or would also be doing the adult only. And before I get any haters, it is because I am so out of touch with what any kid, from ages 0-18 would even want. I have no idea what is cool any longer, and it stresses me out, lol. Adults I can do, kids, whole 'nother area.

Thanks, good to know. I just used Pintrest for ideas of what to get.

 

[aregister]

I've been on only one Disney cruise (so far) and did participate in the Fish Extender at that time. If you are into Pinterest, you will find LOTS of really really crafty things...and start feeling overwhelmed. Just know that 99.9% of what you see online will most likely NOT end up gifted to you. That being said, my kids really enjoyed delivering AND receiving gifts. Our group agreed to keep the groups small...we had 20 cabins participate and they split it into groups of 10.

 

[dreadpiraterose]

When we went we had several couples participate. They were awesome with their gifts! Not weird because everyone is a kid at heart!

On our upcoming Feb 20 cruise, we actually have an entire FE group of just adult cabins. Not weird at all, and hopefully it will cut down on the "kiddie" toys and gifts we've gotten in the past.

 

[thumpie's mom]

We don't sign up for a FE group, but on our last cruise we made Mickey Mouse soap and just walked around and put them in the FE's. We had a lot of fun making them and being "secret" FE givers. Since we don't get off of the ship, this a fun thing to do while we are in port. We really enjoy looking at all the FE's and door magnets and how creative everyone is. The items we made were small and did not take up much space in the luggage. Have a great time on your cruise!

 

[Bella29]

I guess it depends on what kind of person you are. Do you like trinkets, small souvenirs and consider yourself sentimental about things? Or do you live more streamlined, less cluttered, and feel that less is more? Both types of people are wonderful, but I wouldn't participate in a FE group if I considered myself to be more the latter.

I agree with this 100%! We did an FE group once and quickly realized we are in the latter category. I don't want all that "stuff" coming home with me. I am constantly decluttering my home as it is. I thought I would love FEs because I love giving gifts but it wasn't as enjoyable as I hoped, it was irritating to my husband to use extra packing space, and it meant nothing at all to my kids (who like candy but are too busy stuffing themselves on cruise food and self-serve ice cream to even notice candy sitting around the room). So I never signed up again. Other people LOVE the FE "stuff" and that's great for them, but my family is much happier not being apart of it.

 

[sparklinducky]

I am so glad I found this thread. We are planning our second Disney cruise for 2017 Panama Canal and are really considering doing FE.
This gave me a lot to think about, and some good gift ideas.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

It's a lot of work, and I get stressed personally trying to get it all together before I leave - and my wife does 80% of the work! It takes up a lot of luggage space.

On the plus side - that luggage space gets used on the way back for things I purchase, so I figure it's 'reserve' space to make sure I have enough luggage room to carry my stuff back and I don't go too small on the baggage space. It's fun to get things in our FE when we get back, and it's fun to see what people made!

Every cruise I say I am not going to do it next time.... and then I book a cruise, and next thing I know< i sign up for the FE.

 

[smrtgrl_95]

Here's my two cents. I've done FE twice. My motto is that it is better to give than to receive. When I gift, i give something that people will hopefully feel is useful or meaningful.

My first FE I gave no sew fleece blankets that I had added a Mickey head and a tag with the date of our cruise. 1 per cabin and something any individual or family could use and would be a great reminder of a great cruise. 13 cabins for less than $70. I planned early, bought fabric on sale at Jo-Ann's every time it was on ridiculous sale. The key was that the FE was very organized and set up well in advance. It gets tricky when you have latecomers. I'm lucky because I'm from Orlando so packing space is not an issue.

My second FE I gave these Mickey shaped foaming soap dispensers, bought in bulk from Amazon. Coloring Books and Crayons for the kids and Sundae making kits for the tweens. Once again a very organized well in advance process. The group doing it had been on the boards for almost 9 months so we knew each other well and were vested in one another. It was also a special Hawaii Cruise so I think people put a bit more effort into it.

I appreciate anything and everything I've gotten so far and would do it again in a heartbeat. I now have a DCL bag in my closet that i go to grab staples for the next cruise!

At the End of the Day FE is not for everyone and it is what you make of it for yourself. Give it a whirl and if its not for you you'll know

 

[Suttonmama1]

We have done fish extender twice. The first time I did picture frames for each cabin then goody bags for kids. Took up lots of space so second time we did magnets for each room then small individual presents for the kids. We love it. It's fu. To see what ends up in our FE but DD (8) and I have so much fun delivering them. We love to see all the doors so we always bring extra if there's a great door! Last year a brilliant person painted large spoons like Little Mermaid characters for each of us. They were amazing. We then took all the little trinkets and recycled them to make Christmas ornaments and created a Disney tree.

 

[MaryKLady]

We love it! Well, DD and I do, DH not so much. We've done it twice and next month we're doing it again! She's 12, almost 13 now and I thought she didn't care anymore but as we were getting ready for our upcoming cruise she got right back into it. She said her favorite part was delivering them all??? Ok. I like the time we spend together making them at home. There's not a lot a 12/13 year old gets excited about any more so as long as she still gets into it, I'm doing it. A Disney cruise to me is about making memories anyway. And lets face it, it's fun coming back to our cabin to see if there is anything in the FE.

Sure, you get a lot of candy and CD's but I've also gotten interesting things people have made or things, even candy from where they live...that's fun. PS, DD gets all our candy and she brings some of it to her friends at school who think FE candy is the coolest thing ever!

This time I'm doing a cabin gift. Our budget is tight this year and feel like I can do a better gift that the whole cabin can use as opposed to small trinkets for each person.

Enjoy your cruise

 

[scootch]

We did it once, but ended up with a luggage full of odds and ends that mostly got tossed when we brought them home. We haven't done it since.

 

[Renea Havard]

We are on FE #7. We always enjoy it. You do not have to spend a lot of time or money. It's about the fun. We have received many different types of gifts. It's not for everyone but we love participating.