Have you done a Fish Extender? Will you do it again?

[Miss Peach]

Love it miss peach! Funny, BUT sadly, some may mistake your post as actual opinions as it sounds so close to many posts on the dis.

Satire is lost on many!

 

[CleoGoldfish]

Are the givers supposed to sign the FE gifts? Or is it more like Secret Santa?

(Sorry if off-topic -- we actually have candy to give, but it is related to our hometown, though now it's other places too, but if I don't sign the gift, the reference may be lost...)

 

[Silverfox97]

Judging others harshly for being first timers is unfair.

I like the other thread that gives good ideas as it is positive and not so negative. Thanks for that one!!

For the record, speaking only for myself, I am certainly not judging first timers. That was not meant to be the theme of my particular post.

I posted a very long post on that thread about all of the awesome goodies we've received There have been many!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Silverfox97]

Are the givers supposed to sign the FE gifts? Or is it more like Secret Santa?

(Sorry if off-topic -- we actually have candy to give, but it is related to our hometown, though now it's other places too, but if I don't sign the gift, the reference may be lost...)

Most people sign who it's from & attaching a story is cool!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[bats]

We've done 6 cruises and 5 FEs and I must say the novelty has somewhat worn off for us too.
Don't get me wrong, we love getting craft stuff, crap stuff and in between stuff, but for our last cruise, it took up a whole small suitcase!!

We normally give out traditional British things in our bags ... If people throw it away, what do I care?
Some people clearly put more effort and time in than others, but if they've got that much spare time, good luck to them!

One thing I would say is that if your FE list gets longer than about 10 cabins, ask for it to be split. It takes far too long out of your cruise if there are more cabins than that.

Enjoy it, it really can be fun, but accept it for what it is ... A gift from someone who has no idea what you like or what you expect from strangers giving gifts!

 

[kimgg]

For the record, speaking only for myself, I am certainly not judging first timers. That was not meant to be the theme of my particular post.

I posted a very long post on that thread about all of the awesome goodies we've received There have been many!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

I just can see how most first timers might all resort to the same types of things since they've never done it before - I admit I considered OT but actually to do what I wanted to do was actually getting too expensive so it feels bad to have those ideas criticized as too cheap and thoughtless (and I have been giving the darn FE more thought lately than my actual cruise plans)! I really appreciate the creative ideas and hopefully I can come up with something do-able. Honestly though I am still on the fence about whether to proceed ...

I can sympathize with getting " the same old, same old" and the thrill lessening for those who have done it numerous times. It is similar to the complaints I've heard from teachers about teacher gifts. It's all in how the message is delivered. .

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

I have done over 20 FE exchanges and can honestly say I never got a gift I didnt like.

I appreciate all the effort that went into home made items. Plus we appreciated all the goodies and magnets we received. If we didnt like the particular candy it went home to grandkids who were thrilled. So nothing was ever wasted.

I truly believe everyone who particiaptes gives what works best for them according to their budget, room in luggage, and amount of rooms participating. some save for years to get on a Disney cruise, so budget is important. I would much rather have people experience the FE and give the so called junk items, than not participate because they feel like they can't afford a good enough gift.
The amount a person spends was NOT suppose to be important. That is what all FE's I have done have always stated to all new people who didnt know what a FE was. It was always meant to be inexpensive gifts. Plus it can be home made if you choose to make something.

I have known a couple of people who made nice homemade gifts, sent the box ahead of time to the ship due to luggage space and their box never made it ot the ship.

So rather than disappoint everyone ,they bought candy and themed pencils for the kids on the ship. I really appreciate their gifts so much knowing all they had gone through to try and keep the spirit of giving alive after a bad experience.
Others who didnt know what had happened might of been like the OP here, thinking cheap junk. Nothing cheap about buying stuff on the ship and this obviously took away from their personal souvenir funds. Plus all the money and time they spent making the original gifts.

If someone is the type of person who think FE gits are junk then they should not particiapte. They will be happy and the rest of us who love finding little surprizes in our FE will be happy too. Nobody is forced to join.


New people, please don't be discouraged by this sad thread. It is truly a fun thing to do. I usually split up my deliveries by decks and days. To me it was never a chore. I loved looking at all the door signs and decorations on the doors. It's a good way to walk off some of those delicious meals on board.


Looking forward to the next 3 FE's I am already signed up for!!!

Kathy

Kathy

 

[redsonja76]

Hmmmm...

I wonder if anyone thought my FE gifts were junk...

For adults I bought plastic pirate shot glasses from (gasp!) Oriental Trading and packaged them up with mini rum bottles, pirate beads, and self made personalized magnets.

For kids I bought - again from Oriental Trading - pirate themed bandannas, felt eyepatches, dog tag necklaces, rubber bracelets, tattoos, and rings (different versions for boys & girls) and packaged them up with "Jack Sparrow's How to be a Pirate Guide" and self made personalized magnets.

Junk????

Not junk, super adorable!!!!!

I wanna sail with you!

Well come on then, April 28, 2014!

I have done over 20 FE exchanges and can honestly say I never got a gift I didnt like.

I appreciate all the effort that went into home made items. Plus we appreciated all the goodies and magnets we received. If we didnt like the particular candy it went home to grandkids who were thrilled. So nothing was ever wasted.

I truly believe everyone who particiaptes gives what works best for them according to their budget, room in luggage, and amount of rooms participating. some save for years to get on a Disney cruise, so budget is important. I would much rather have people experience the FE and give the so called junk items, than not participate because they feel like they can't afford a good enough gift.
The amount a person spends was NOT suppose to be important. That is what all FE's I have done have always stated to all new people who didnt know what a FE was. It was always meant to be inexpensive gifts. Plus it can be home made if you choose to make something.

I have known a couple of people who made nice homemade gifts, sent the box ahead of time to the ship due to luggage space and their box never made it ot the ship.

So rather than disappoint everyone ,they bought candy and themed pencils for the kids on the ship. I really appreciate their gifts so much knowing all they had gone through to try and keep the spirit of giving alive after a bad experience.
Others who didnt know what had happened might of been like the OP here, thinking cheap junk. Nothing cheap about buying stuff on the ship and this obviously took away from their personal souvenir funds. Plus all the money and time they spent making the original gifts.

If someone is the type of person who think FE gits are junk then they should not particiapte. They will be happy and the rest of us who love finding little surprizes in our FE will be happy too. Nobody is forced to join.


New people, please don't be discouraged by this sad thread. It is truly a fun thing to do. I usually split up my deliveries by decks and days. To me it was never a chore. I loved looking at all the door signs and decorations on the doors. It's a good way to walk off some of those delicious meals on board.


Looking forward to the next 3 FE's I am already signed up for!!!

Kathy

Kathy

Fabulously, beautifully said!

 

[violetmonarch]

I have done over 20 FE exchanges and can honestly say I never got a gift I didnt like.

I appreciate all the effort that went into home made items. Plus we appreciated all the goodies and magnets we received. If we didnt like the particular candy it went home to grandkids who were thrilled. So nothing was ever wasted.

I truly believe everyone who particiaptes gives what works best for them according to their budget, room in luggage, and amount of rooms participating. some save for years to get on a Disney cruise, so budget is important. I would much rather have people experience the FE and give the so called junk items, than not participate because they feel like they can't afford a good enough gift.
The amount a person spends was NOT suppose to be important. That is what all FE's I have done have always stated to all new people who didnt know what a FE was. It was always meant to be inexpensive gifts. Plus it can be home made if you choose to make something.

I have known a couple of people who made nice homemade gifts, sent the box ahead of time to the ship due to luggage space and their box never made it ot the ship.

So rather than disappoint everyone ,they bought candy and themed pencils for the kids on the ship. I really appreciate their gifts so much knowing all they had gone through to try and keep the spirit of giving alive after a bad experience.
Others who didnt know what had happened might of been like the OP here, thinking cheap junk. Nothing cheap about buying stuff on the ship and this obviously took away from their personal souvenir funds. Plus all the money and time they spent making the original gifts.

If someone is the type of person who think FE gits are junk then they should not particiapte. They will be happy and the rest of us who love finding little surprizes in our FE will be happy too. Nobody is forced to join.


New people, please don't be discouraged by this sad thread. It is truly a fun thing to do. I usually split up my deliveries by decks and days. To me it was never a chore. I loved looking at all the door signs and decorations on the doors. It's a good way to walk off some of those delicious meals on board.


Looking forward to the next 3 FE's I am already signed up for!!!

Kathy

Kathy

Well said.

 

[BibiSmart]

This is my fourth Disney cruise and first FE. I don't have any expectations other then to meet some people with my same interests and have a good time.

Sorry some people's expectations are higher than others. I appreciate people's effort and so do my children.

 

[kimgg]

I just can see how most first timers might all resort to the same types of things since they've never done it before - I admit I considered OT but actually to do what I wanted to do was actually getting too expensive so it feels bad to have those ideas criticized as too cheap and thoughtless (and I have been giving the darn FE more thought lately than my actual cruise plans)! I really appreciate the creative ideas and hopefully I can come up with something do-able. Honestly though I am still on the fence about whether to proceed ...

I can sympathize with getting " the same old, same old" and the thrill lessening for those who have done it numerous times. It is similar to the complaints I've heard from teachers about teacher gifts. It's all in how the message is delivered. .

My cruise has over 30 cabins. So it would be so easy to spend $200 at OT to put together a nice gift for all. This thread has steered me away as such items may be replicated by others - but still not sure what I'll be giving.

 

[cflmom]

This is my fourth Disney cruise and first FE. I don't have any expectations other then to meet some people with my same interests and have a good time.

Sorry some people's expectations are higher than others. I appreciate people's effort and so do my children.

Lol! Sorry, just thought it was 'funny'....we are doing our 4th cruise and 1st FE as well! When are you sailing?

 

[lilpooh108]

Good job you. Well said.

I have a limited budget and I care how others feel about our gifts.

That said, if someone is going to think my stuff is just crap based on how much they think should be spent on gifts, then maybe they shouldn't participate in FE.

I have done over 20 FE exchanges and can honestly say I never got a gift I didnt like.

I appreciate all the effort that went into home made items. Plus we appreciated all the goodies and magnets we received. If we didnt like the particular candy it went home to grandkids who were thrilled. So nothing was ever wasted.

I truly believe everyone who particiaptes gives what works best for them according to their budget, room in luggage, and amount of rooms participating. some save for years to get on a Disney cruise, so budget is important. I would much rather have people experience the FE and give the so called junk items, than not participate because they feel like they can't afford a good enough gift.
The amount a person spends was NOT suppose to be important. That is what all FE's I have done have always stated to all new people who didnt know what a FE was. It was always meant to be inexpensive gifts. Plus it can be home made if you choose to make something.

I have known a couple of people who made nice homemade gifts, sent the box ahead of time to the ship due to luggage space and their box never made it ot the ship.

So rather than disappoint everyone ,they bought candy and themed pencils for the kids on the ship. I really appreciate their gifts so much knowing all they had gone through to try and keep the spirit of giving alive after a bad experience.
Others who didnt know what had happened might of been like the OP here, thinking cheap junk. Nothing cheap about buying stuff on the ship and this obviously took away from their personal souvenir funds. Plus all the money and time they spent making the original gifts.

If someone is the type of person who think FE gits are junk then they should not particiapte. They will be happy and the rest of us who love finding little surprizes in our FE will be happy too. Nobody is forced to join.


New people, please don't be discouraged by this sad thread. It is truly a fun thing to do. I usually split up my deliveries by decks and days. To me it was never a chore. I loved looking at all the door signs and decorations on the doors. It's a good way to walk off some of those delicious meals on board.


Looking forward to the next 3 FE's I am already signed up for!!!

Kathy

Kathy

 

[Mom2Finn]

I never said it wasn't fun and with all due respect, I don't need you telling me not to participate. Save your snarky comments for someone else.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Sorry I wasn't trying to be snarky and didn't mean you. I think I was responding to your defense of the op? I was just questioning the point of them beginning this thread.

Eta: so they were the "you" in my post not you. Which I realize probably makes zero sense.

 

[natandscott]

I know the FE gifts can be a lot of work. I'm hoping there's going to be a FE exchange on our Fantasy cruise in Jan. 2014. I think I can honestly say that if I receive some lovely decoupage coasters, or a personalized magnet or something like that, that I've seen people mention, I would consider that to be worth it---even if I get 20 bags of candy.

 

[cflmom]

I know the FE gifts can be a lot of work. I'm hoping there's going to be a FE exchange on our Fantasy cruise in Jan. 2014. I think I can honestly say that if I receive some lovely decoupage coasters, or a personalized magnet or something like that, that I've seen people mention, I would consider that to be worth it---even if I get 20 bags of candy.

When are you sailing? We are going Jan 2014th too!

 

[dgmommie]

it really is the thought that counts and if a person is worried about the money value of the gifts they will get in return, then they probably shouldn't join a FE.

Perfect answer! We're participating in our first FEE next month, and I've come up with some things that are fit for all, from homemade to store bought. I hope people like the things - that's my main concern. As for what we get in return, it doesn't matter as long as we get something. I'm excited to see what people come up with.

 

[txaggie94gigem]

The range of FE gifts we've received were all the way from home-made, super crafty things to stickers.

If you don't want the little stuff (stickers, little toys, etc) that you receive, you can always put them in your pocket to gift other young kids around the ship. I've done that with leftover FE stuff I've brought along.

The little girl in the movie who sat quietly and actually watched the movie got one. Any cute little pirates/princesses I saw while walking around got them. Kids who were polite got them

You spread the magic that way, and receive a lot of smiles.

As to whether stuff went missing from our FEs - I don't know. I personally don't have a checklist that I keep when receiving gifts to track who gave me something and who didn't.

I don't put my name (DIS or otherwise) on the gifts I give, and I've been known to put stuff in FEs that weren't on my list. I may be one of the people who you thought didn't give you anything.

I think it's fun. And I'm sad that (depending on the FB thing) I may not do it again.

That is a great idea! To give away little stuff that you may not need! My kids enjoy just about anything they are given! They would take any candy to the teen clubs and share with new friends!

Please don't be discouraged if you do not give away lots of homemade stuff....in the past I have given OT pirate stuff like tattoos and gold coins because I thought it was very festive for pirate night...ESP for kids to have some gold doubloons to count or hide! We are all about pirates! I have recd some very nice homemade gifts too! I am not that crafty so mine tend to be items I have bought and bagged together and I did not spend a lot of money...

Btw....our cruisers are very active on FB too and it is so hard to keep up with both places sometimes!!!!

 

[crichardson11]

What a sad thread. The reason I signed up to participate in the FE was because I thought my daughter would love to return to our cabin and find little surprises. It's about the magic, not the gifts. I'm not expecting to come home with "presents" that we will cherish forever. And if we do, bonus. I'm expecting small surprises. I'm sorry to hear that some people are not very appreciative or decide to judge others on their choice in gifts. For the record, I plan on hand making two items for each person and ordering two more small items from oriental trading. I want to believe that most participants are appreciative to receive anything.

 

[DLBDS]

I'm an FE supoorter. True there is a lot of 'filler' but there are a few gems amongst all that filler as well. We usually bag up the candy and give it to our stateroom host. We always try to put something in that's useful or unique. One year I ordered white post it notes using the Mickey inside the life preserver image and added our cruise dates etc. It was like a watermark and took up the whole paper. I loved it and thought it was unique. I put that inside a treat bag along with other useful things like highlighters and 'filler' like some good chocolate candy (not the crap choc.). It all depends on how many folks are participating though as to what I give. I try to keep it at $100 for everyone. The less folks there are, the better the gifts will be. This time the FE group is splitting up into sub-groups. I only have to buy for 10 cabins. That's going to make for a much better gift. This year will definitely be the best gifts I've ever given. That said... Maybe we should all start splitting the FE groups up. It's a lot easier to put the gifts together, deliver them, and they're better quality as well! I'm definitely going to take the advice of the PP and spread the wealth to the younger kids on the cruise.