HELP FE ideas for teenage boys!

[sorul82?]

Now that I'm craving something I've never had, I found this on Wiki:

The Aero bar was made available for a short time in the United States by Nestlé during the 1980s, though it seems not to have been a commercial success. However, they are still available at certain specialty vendors or supermarkets such as Big Y and Wegmans that import the bars. Previously The Hershey Company sold Aero bars in the United States under license from Rowntree Chocolate Company from 1937 until 1939. Another place to find them is in the United Kingdom section of the World Showcase at Epcot, Disney World, as well as the international food aisle in Kroger and some Publix locations nation-wide.

 

[sandiegosusie]

I made Mickey's Movie Munchies (snack size movie candies in a bag with a tag). I like the idea of playing cards or travel size Uno cards from Party City also. I've heard of people giving out $5 arcade cards too.

 

[pixarmom]

OK, we're new to cruising so we've never participated in a FE. But our boys are almost teens, and I have an idea of what they'd like. I'll second the idea for candy. Our boys and most of their friends are less into chocolates and more into hard candy (like lollipops or mints), gum and gummy candy. Anything pirate-themed (but Jack Sparrow/Davy Jones, not cute pirate Mickey) would be great! Our boys also love pens and pencils - can use them when they get home and it's a fun reminder of the trip.

 

[tammyj0927]

I've finally decided to make pirate bandanas for the boys. I plan on personalizing them but at what age is not "cool" to have your name on something you wear? My age group goes from 2-14.

 

[Meskamooska]

Hi All,

So, I was thinking more about this and then I saw todays ad circular from Big 5 sporting goods. They have officially licensed Disney Character watches on sale for $5.00/each. They also have some binoculars on sale for $9. I know that might be too steep for some folks but they might be a good idea for others.

Regarding the watch idea, you might want to give a look at the 99 cent store, Big Lots, Dollar General or some other inexpensive place like that for waterproof or water resistant watches. I know I have seen these at places like these for a pittance.

I am thinking that, especially for boys, having a watch that you don't have to worry about might be a good idea.

You might also consider looking to see if you can find any of those one size fits most mittens/gloves (I am told that even in July it will be chilly on deck as we go through Tracy Arm). Another thought would be to look for, or if your are the crafty sort, make beanie/stocking caps. There is a thing you can get at Michaels or Joanns made by Provo Craft. it is a round knitter that is stupidly simple to use. And, with three months yet, you might have enough time to make them. I am betting these would come in pretty handy especially when the wind kicks up or if the weather is cool and damp.

Hope that helps...

Take care all, help lots of people and have a "Wonder"ful day!

Tisza

 

[sorul82?]

I've finally decided to make pirate bandanas for the boys. I plan on personalizing them but at what age is not "cool" to have your name on something you wear? My age group goes from 2-14.

Probably not cool after age 9 or 10.

 

[disfunfor3]

What about a hemp bracelet for the boys? I've googled friendship bracelets for my daughter, and wondered if the boys would like the knotting of the bracelets. Maybe with wooden beads, and possibly bulkier hemp to make them more "manly". It would go with the pirate theme, particularly if there were coins or skulls on them?

 

[Schachteles]

Hi and welcome to the DISBoards!

An FE exchange is a gift exchange that folks here on the DISBoards do with each other on their cruises. The FE stands for Fish Extender. On the Magic and the Wonder their are brass fish which are in front of every cabin that the cruiseline uses to give you messages, etc. Folks make pockets to hang from their "Fish" to allow the gifts to be left easily.

Think of it like trick or treating without the trick or secret santa without the secret (since it seems that a lot of folks sign their gifts - which I think is a very good idea so I will know who to thank for what .

If you have already booked a cruise check out the Cruise Meets thread at the top of the page and find the thread for your group so that you can join the fun.

For the OP... As for what to give teen boys, I am in the same boat... literally since we are on the same sail date as you know. I am struggling as well, because folks can be all over the map regarding their interests and what they think is "cool". I have heard that some folks give arcade cards but I don't know how much that would cost and that really isn't a keepable gift.

I like the sunglasses idea (you can sometimes find them at the 99 cent store or even Big Lots for a decent price). Hmm, what about something from Minnesota? What is your area know for - I confess that the only thing that springs to mind for me is the Minnesota Vikings football team but I am pretty ignorant about areas I don't reside in.

Ooooo... I just got an idea... What about a cool keychain from your home area for those kids who are 15 and up since most of them are chaffing at the bit to be able to drive.

Oh, and I can personally vouch for Aero Bars and Crunchies as well. Years ago I used to manage a British Imports store and I managed to get addicted to them. They are really yummy and we don't really have anything comparable here in the States.

I shall now return this thread to its rightful owner...

Take care all, help lots of people and have a "Wonder"ful day!

Tisza

Hey Tisza, we are on the same cruise...you can't be stealing my ideas I am trying to get I really like the playing card idea for the boys. Might need to go on and see if I can get some fun ones made up.

I have never had the Aero or Crunchies, guess we will have to stop to get some of those.

Thanks for the ideas...keep em coming

 

[Makayna]

Hi and welcome to the DISBoards!

An FE exchange is a gift exchange that folks here on the DISBoards do with each other on their cruises. The FE stands for Fish Extender. On the Magic and the Wonder their are brass fish which are in front of every cabin that the cruiseline uses to give you messages, etc. Folks make pockets to hang from their "Fish" to allow the gifts to be left easily.

Think of it like trick or treating without the trick or secret santa without the secret (since it seems that a lot of folks sign their gifts - which I think is a very good idea so I will know who to thank for what .

If you have already booked a cruise check out the Cruise Meets thread at the top of the page and find the thread for your group so that you can join the fun.

...

Tisza

Thank you Tisza for answering my questions!!!!!

So how do you know who you all are? I mean, how do you know what room people are in, or where they are, or even WHO they are (other than the bags that hang on the fish extenders ) And how many people are usually on each ship? Do you just buy tons, and start putting things in every bag you see? How does this work, exactly?

 

[Principessa]

Great thread.

I have read through all the ideas and I have come to realize that the category BOY is too large! My DS 15 would love the previous ideas: nerf ball, cards, pencils, pens, state quarters, sunglasses (especially) or some candy. Not so cool for my particular boy: bracelet, necklace, watch (uses the cell phone or just doesn't care), bandana, certainly not with his name (over age 9 too old for named items)...but younger the bandana was a great idea.

Anything Pirates of the Carribean is good - how about an item related to the new movie? or the ride? Oh my, a few candy bars and hard candy and let's call it a day! Now that I think of it, he did always pick Mickey candy bars for his meal plan snack.

Thanks to all the creative souls thinking about gifts for teen boys!!!

 

[kveens]

I have 12 year old twins. For their birthday parties this year we did an adventure theme. Party favors were mini flashlights, compasses, travel size toiletries, and leftover halloween candy. The boys seemed to enjoy these items. A pack of baseball trading cards is also something most older boys enjoy. My kids are sports fanatics, so anything sports related is a hit, such a cool shoelaces, or other fan-type items.

Along the toiletries vein, I wonder if sample size sunscreen is available? Even though Alaska is far north, sun reflecting off the snow or ice can still cause sunburns.

Whatever you decide, have fun with it!

 

[Meskamooska]

Hi Again,

Yup, I know we are sailing together and that you are our Fearless FE Leader I wouldn't dream of stealing your ideas... honest!

I do have to say that seeing your request for help did actually inspire me to think outside the boat and in helping brainstorm for you I actually got a couple of good ideas for me to use as well so hopefully it will be a win-win!

Makayna - Go to your cruise meet thread (links are posted at the top of the DCL section of the DISboards) and find the one that corresponds to your cruise date. If someone hasn't started a thread for your cruise you can always start it and if no one has volunteered to head up the FE exchange you can always offer to do that too.

The OP of this thread is the EXTREMELY KIND SOUL who is heading up the FE exchange for our upcoming Alaska cruise. And I am betting that she, or someone like her, could steer you in the right direction if you wind up taking the horns by the bull and heading up an exchange of your very own.

Take care all, help lots of people and have a "Wonder"ful day!

Tisza

 

[Makayna]

Hi Again,

Yup, I know we are sailing together and that you are our Fearless FE Leader I wouldn't dream of stealing your ideas... honest!

I do have to say that seeing your request for help did actually inspire me to think outside the boat and in helping brainstorm for you I actually got a couple of good ideas for me to use as well so hopefully it will be a win-win!

Makayna - Go to your cruise meet thread (links are posted at the top of the DCL section of the DISboards) and find the one that corresponds to your cruise date. If someone hasn't started a thread for your cruise you can always start it and if no one has volunteered to head up the FE exchange you can always offer to do that too.

The OP of this thread is the EXTREMELY KIND SOUL who is heading up the FE exchange for our upcoming Alaska cruise. And I am betting that she, or someone like her, could steer you in the right direction if you wind up taking the horns by the bull and heading up an exchange of your very own.

Take care all, help lots of people and have a "Wonder"ful day!

Tisza

Thank you again Tisza! You've been so helpful! I wish you were on MY cruise! LOL!

Anyways, since this is my first cruise EVER, I would LOVE to PARTICIPATE in an FE exchange, should there be one on my cruise, but since it's my first time, I'd feel lost trying to head it up myself. Hopefully someone with a little more experience, ya know, who KNEW what an FE WAS an hour ago, might do a better job than I would!

But anyways, you've been very kind. Thank you for all of your information!

 

[Diyara]

Thank you for explaining Meeskamooska - sounds like a lot of fun

 

[camikey]

Maybe I try to get too cutsie, I could do candy. I was hoping to be able to do it before we left home, but since we are flying from Minneapolis to Seattle and then getting to Vancouver a few days later, I will have to shop somewhere to get things.

If anyone is on the Alaska cruises, do you know if you can ship your FE things to the port like you can do in Canaveral?

You cannot ship food items.

 

[spacecanada]

You cannot ship food items.

Does the ship/port restrict this? Canada Post, USPS, and most couriers will let you ship food, but if the receiver rejects it due to their own policies you are our of luck. I ship food to friends in America frequently and they ship stuff to me; never had a problem.

I had a bunch of food stuff shipped to our hotel in Long Beach a few days before we arrived there. When we checked in we got our parcels and brought them onboard the ship with us. No problem there.

One thing that could get you in big trouble is that you CANNOT ship/carry Kinder Suprise Eggs (chocolate eggs with toys inside) to America. Foods containing non-food items are illegal in America. Big fines result.

 

[7evans]

Thanks for all these great ideas! I asked my DS14, what he would like, and he said any sour candy! The more sour the better!
I asked my DS almost16, and he didn't really care, but I think candy is always a hit!

 

[Schachteles]

Hi Again,

Yup, I know we are sailing together and that you are our Fearless FE Leader I wouldn't dream of stealing your ideas... honest!

I do have to say that seeing your request for help did actually inspire me to think outside the boat and in helping brainstorm for you I actually got a couple of good ideas for me to use as well so hopefully it will be a win-win!

Makayna - Go to your cruise meet thread (links are posted at the top of the DCL section of the DISboards) and find the one that corresponds to your cruise date. If someone hasn't started a thread for your cruise you can always start it and if no one has volunteered to head up the FE exchange you can always offer to do that too.

The OP of this thread is the EXTREMELY KIND SOUL who is heading up the FE exchange for our upcoming Alaska cruise. And I am betting that she, or someone like her, could steer you in the right direction if you wind up taking the horns by the bull and heading up an exchange of your very own.

Take care all, help lots of people and have a "Wonder"ful day!

Tisza

Tisza, you are too nice!! I am going to do a deck of cards for the boys, so as long as you don't do that, we should be golden

The FE exchanges are so much fun, my daughters get so excited each time we go back to the room to see what goodies they have.

Now I need to get thinging and working!!!!!

 

[Diannah]

What about finding inexpensive disposable cameras, esp. an underwater one? Most teens I know are crazy for cameras, though most might already have digitals.

From my 16 yo DD: Teen girls tend to like pretty stuff , Teen guys tend to like "cool" stuff. Gee, helpful, eh? Things that aren't as "obnoxiously Disney". $5 or so Disney gift card that they could put on their KTTW card account. Bubbles (surprizingly). Candy's always good. GUM, "for sure". (Always the big thing at school) Small notebook or address book to get their new friend's email/snailmail/facebook address. Hemp bracelets or necklaces got a big "oh yeah!", even for the guys. State quarters are nice, but will probably be spent. "Spending money is always nice" She also really liked the underwater camera idea.

So there's my DD's perspective. She then added, "but remember mom, I'm not a 'normal' teen. Neither are my friends. We're theatre kids..."

I know that on Halloween, we always put candy and small things like bubbles, pencils, etc in the bowl. Not everyone takes candy, but almost everyone takes the other things, especially bubbles and pencil. Large drink bottles for the drink stations might be good, too. Another thought, something that explained some of the normally adult details on the ship - like how to add $ to their KTTW, what things were free, what things were no-no's. What's available for them to do on the ship. Especially if this is their first cruise, they may not know these things. Teens are at the stage of wanting to be grown ups, but not always having the info/life experience/forethought to know how. Getting something like "a teen's survival guide to cruising", while they may act like it's kinda dumb, I can almost guarantee they'll read it when they think no one's looking. (DD seconds this)

Just some random thoughts from another Minnesotan (who's looking out her window at yet ANOTHER inch of snow on the ground! Maybe this wasn't the best year for visiting Alaska in May! )

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

One thing that could get you in big trouble is that you CANNOT ship/carry Kinder Suprise Eggs (chocolate eggs with toys inside) to America. Foods containing non-food items are illegal in America. Big fines result.

I buy these in my town for my DD and I live in NJ. In fact, that reminds me that I need to go pick some up for Easter.