Help!!! Custom Gift Basket Ideas needed

[Lisa0503]

Hello - I am going on my first cruise (the Wonder sailing 9/18/05) with my DH, DD - 22 months & DS 4 months. I have read all about the wonderful gift baskets that Shirley from the Perfect Gift makes and want to order one for our family. I am looking for some ideas of what items I should ask Shirley to include... I know I want a sand pail & shovel for DD but what else (DH and I don't drink so alchol is out)

I know many of you have ordered baskets so what are some items that have been in your baskets?

Thanks for your help!!!

 

[runa00]

i have the same questions for a 60 year old woman! help!!!!

 

[txaggie94gigem]

candy/popcorn for the movies
bubbles
stickers
a watch
special cups with lids to get drinks from the drink station in
glow necklaces
eye patches for pirate night
little mickey and minnie, if needed to sleep with


don't really need somethng to drink since drinks are free unless your favorite drink is noncoke product (pepsi, dr. pepper)

wine or sparkling apple cider for older group!
small nightlight would be nice

 

[wltdsnyfan]

If you want to send something to Shirley she will put that in the basket to. For my DH and DS I sent T-shirts to be put in thre baskets.

 

[Lisa0503]

candy/popcorn for the movies
bubbles
stickers
a watch
special cups with lids to get drinks from the drink station in
glow necklaces
eye patches for pirate night
little mickey and minnie, if needed to sleep with


don't really need somethng to drink since drinks are free unless your favorite drink is noncoke product (pepsi, dr. pepper)

wine or sparkling apple cider for older group!
small nightlight would be nice

Ohhh those are great ideas!!!! My daugher would love the bubbles & glow neaklaces and I could get DH to wear the eye patch for pirate night!!! I also love the idea for cups for soda....I would have never thought of that!!!

So far I guess I will be asking for:

Sandpail/Shovel
Candy for movies
Glow neaklaces
Eye patch for pirate night
Bubbles
Cups w/lids for soda​

Anything else that may be good to have??? Like I said, this is our first cruise so I am still trying to figure out what we need/would enjoy...

 

[mickeyworld]

We made special iron-on pillowcases with the kids' names and pictures of the ship in the middle. They put them on the pillow on their bed and it gave it a special feeling.

 

[Laurabearz]

I am in the same boat so to speak.

I have 3 kids dd 6 and 4 and ds 2.

I have coloring books on my list also

Are bubbles okay? I would worry about them spilling... I am sure they would get a big kick from bubbles, but worried about the mess... hmmmm

Never thought about pirate eye patches... What does DCL provide for pirate night?? I know Bandanas...

 

[barkley]

how about some kids sunglasses (always easy to find adult sizes on vacation, but the smaller sizes can be difficult)? their own suncreen chap sticks, some rub on tatoos for pirate night (my kids love these), disposable underwater cameras (i get these for the kids in a mult pack at costco or sams, the can spill drinks on them, drop them in the water...).

for the more mature traveler-a travel alarm clock, a small night light (or one of those round push/pop lights-you can set this on the night stand and carry it with you, a t-shirt with the kids or grandkids photo on it holding up a sign "happy cruising!".

 

[Scotch]

This is a great thread as I was thinking of doing the same thing for DS who will be 20 months when we cruise this December. We do not want to give him candy, so please keep sharing ideas re good gift items for a 20 month old other than sweets. Thanks!

 

[txaggie94gigem]

instead of candy get those small prepackaged bags of animal crackers or cheese crackers....look at some of the "100 calorie" boxed items for lower calorie versions of treats...also gerber graduates make fruit bites and cookies that are healthy....another option is a bag of mixed dired fruit bits...they are the size of fruit bites but all natural with light and dark raisins, apple pieces, apricots and others....just look for smaller versions of what you let him have at home for treats....

 

[4Smilee]

My MIL got baskets from Shirley on our cruise in 2003 when DD was 2.5 years old. She put in bubbles -- a definite must, and they were in these cute Mickey-shaped bottles. She still has the bottle in fact. She also included juice boxes, which were great to have on hand (and she considered those a treat since she doesn't get them at home).

Other ideas for kids: beach bags, flashlights, nightlight, inflatable beach balls, sand toys, disposable cameras, sports bottles, popcorn, movie candy, sunscreen, sunglasses.


For grownups --- wine, beer, (and openers), a few sodas just so you don't have to leave the room, I like the binocular idea, maybe shower gel/lotions, a beach read type book, a floppy hat for the sun, flipflops, . . . .

Kristin

 

[jacksmom]

Anyone have any "boyish" ideas for an 8yo boy! No candy, bubbles or camera! Anything else?? Also, when do you order 30 days out or less?

 

[Cindi0511]

Anyone have any "boyish" ideas for an 8yo boy! No candy, bubbles or camera! Anything else?? Also, when do you order 30 days out or less?

It kind of depends on your specific boy's likes -- you could try squirt guns, snorkel/fins, little handheld games from Walmart, cars, CDs if he's bringing a walkman, etc.

I'll probably order 45-30 days out, although I'll buy things along the way.

 

[khoffman923]

I'm sorry, I'm a tad confused. All the suggestions for items in the gift baskets, are these things that Shirley has and can put in the basket, or are these things that you send to Shirley for her to include in a basket? I won't be cruising till next Summer but as well would love to do gift baskets for my DH46, DD20, DD18 and DS15. Shirley sounds AMAZING but I'm sure she has limits on what she can/will do...doesn't she?

Karen

 

[Cindi0511]

I'm sorry, I'm a tad confused. All the suggestions for items in the gift baskets, are these things that Shirley has and can put in the basket, or are these things that you send to Shirley for her to include in a basket? I won't be cruising till next Summer but as well would love to do gift baskets for my DH46, DD20, DD18 and DS15. Shirley sounds AMAZING but I'm sure she has limits on what she can/will do...doesn't she?

Karen

Karen,

I'm sure Shirley DOES have limits, as she has to make money off these for a living. However, she is more than happy to work with us. What I hope to do is send a few items like beach toys that I know I can get cheap right now, or whatever, and let Shirley fill in all the snacks and drinks or whatever other toys or ideas we come up with.

Shirley, feel free to jump in here with some guidelines if you'd like to. Some of us are so far out that we hate to bother you yet, but guidelines would be good. Of course, since we'll all be doing something different, that might be a little difficult. Anything general from anyone who's already used Shirley and sent stuff ahead?

 

[Laurabearz]

Anyone have any "boyish" ideas for an 8yo boy! No candy, bubbles or camera! Anything else?? Also, when do you order 30 days out or less?

How about hacky sack, yo-yo, balloon animal book, puzzles, cards, hot wheels....

 

[DisneyDotty]

Does Shirley have a website where I may browse? Thanks!

 

[Laurabearz]

www.theperfectgift.cc

 

[dreamakermom]

Hi guys! I was reading up on baskets a few months ago because I plan to order some for our Feb/Mar cruise. On one of the sites Shirley had mentioned she likes to try to limit sent items to about three per basket. She doesn't mind at all us sending personal items but you were right... she does have to make a living also and some people were sending all their stuff and just having Shirley put them together and get them on the ship. That takes the fun out of her job too! So I have decided to limit my personal items and still have her put together a nice basket for everyone. I can't wait. Hopes this helps! Karen

 

[Cindi0511]

Hi guys! I was reading up on baskets a few months ago because I plan to order some for our Feb/Mar cruise. On one of the sites Shirley had mentioned she likes to try to limit sent items to about three per basket. She doesn't mind at all us sending personal items but you were right... she does have to make a living also and some people were sending all their stuff and just having Shirley put them together and get them on the ship. That takes the fun out of her job too! So I have decided to limit my personal items and still have her put together a nice basket for everyone. I can't wait. Hopes this helps! Karen

Thank you, Karen. That is most welcome advice -- something I'm sure Shirley is much too modest to tell us, but I think you helped both her and us.

Your input is MOST appreciated!