Joining FE group after cut-off date

[Tink'nTell]

We have several families asking to join the FE exchange at the last minute and I need advice. We sail in 2 weeks and some of us have ordered specialty gifts to exchange, also some of us have already exceeded their budget! I want everyone who wants to participate to be able to do so, but I'm afraid they will end up on the short end because of the reasons stated above. What do you do in this situation? On one hand I don't want them/their kids to miss out and on the other there was a deadline so that everyone could budget and shop appropriately.

 

[Mom2CJ&Kitty]

I would tell them exactly that and maybe they can trade with each other.

 

[MTmomma]

I would tell them exactly that and maybe they can trade with each other.

exactly this

 

[Kyle2123]

With stuff like this, you really have to set a cut off. If you keep adding people in late, it's frustrating for the other members of the group. If a due date was posted, and it's long gone, I'd tell the people coming late that you're sorry, but it's just to late to join in now that gifts have been purchased and many of your group members are already finished getting ready for the gift exchange. If you have enough families interested in doing something last second, you could always suggest that they set up a second group amongst themselves I guess?

 

[wcw57]

we had this concern for our meet..

we posted a warning here as well as on our thread and then....POOF!...the list was closed

as Washington Irving once said: "If you snooze, you loose"

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

You could close the list- or you could just tell them what you said here and let them join the list as "add ons" with the understanding that those that have extras will deliver to their door and those that don't- won't.

If it's enough of them- maybe they can make their own little group and exchange amongst each other?

 

[loveysbydesign]

Let the new people who want to join just exchange with the others who want to join now as well. They may not get as much but you can't burden the other FE participants with more FE people at the last minute.

 

[kcashner]

I'm with the gang here--let them form their own FE group.

There is no point in a cut off if it keeps getting extended, and as you pointed out, some people have put much time and money into those who signed up in a timely fashion.

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

This happened on our fe exchange too. I sent an email to see what everyones thoughts were. Some people insisted on including the late comers and others refused to include. So the ones that wanted to Participate with the late sign ups just added them to their list. If there are enough late comers the suggestion of starting their own fe exchange is a great idea.

Good luck and have a great time on your cruise!

 

[Ashansen]

The facilitator on our last cruise (in 2009) simply provided everyone in the FE with the latecomer's information and said they wanted to participate. If we had enough to include them, we did. If not, we didn't. She also told them this was the situation...so I guess in a worse case scenario the "latecomer" might prepare items for everyone, not knowing if they would get anything in return. I think we only had 1 or 2 cabins...and it wasn't an issue for most of us...and it was a small group (say 12 cabins).

Ashley

 

[disneyfan19712006]

Let the new people who want to join just exchange with the others who want to join now as well. They may not get as much but you can't burden the other FE participants with more FE people at the last minute.

We had some join late and they were told that some people had made/ordered only so many items. They might not get something from everyone. With that understanding I agree that they can be added. But make sure to let the others know there are not being pressured to add the others but to include them if they have extras.

 

[BusyYellowBug]

We have several families asking to join the FE exchange at the last minute and I need advice. We sail in 2 weeks and some of us have ordered specialty gifts to exchange, also some of us have already exceeded their budget! I want everyone who wants to participate to be able to do so, but I'm afraid they will end up on the short end because of the reasons stated above. What do you do in this situation? On one hand I don't want them/their kids to miss out and on the other there was a deadline so that everyone could budget and shop appropriately.

I can appreciate that there was a cut-off date for your group and agree that maybe the newcomers could have a mini-group, but please keep in mind that not everyone finds these boards way in advance. I just found this site and this board yesterday and the cut-off for my sail-date group had already passed. I couldn't have signed up earlier because I wasn't here. Not everyone is trying to be a pain in the butt.

 

[AmandaRG]

I vote for a second group so as to reduce the stress on those that have already prepared theirs.

 

[ssanders79]

With our last cruise we set a cut off date. Those who came to the party late were still welcomed with open arms and added to the list with the understanding that they may not receive gifts from each party. FE are fun and should not be stressful.

 

[Ashansen]

You can always set up a second group....and ask your existing FE-er's if they want to be in both groups...just so the "new" group isn't too small...I'd be happy to do this, since nothing I am doing is special ordered...and assuming our first group isn't 100 cabins large!

Ashley

 

[LIFERBABE]

I can appreciate that there was a cut-off date for your group and agree that maybe the newcomers could have a mini-group, but please keep in mind that not everyone finds these boards way in advance. I just found this site and this board yesterday and the cut-off for my sail-date group had already passed. I couldn't have signed up earlier because I wasn't here. Not everyone is trying to be a pain in the butt.

I think the members of the DIS are some of the most caring sharing people on the www. We have some cherished items from years ago that we received from Disers. I dont think anyone is calling newcomers a pain.

The fact the OP posted this question, shows how much Disers truly care about being inclusive.

Newcomers should realize, however, that if you arrive after a deadline, it is not for others to consider, but for you to consider that you missed it for whatever reason. There are people that sail everyday, have awesome cruises and dont participate in any DIS activities. Many cruisers are not here, and it's unreasonable to expect people that are volunteering their time and efforts to consider all those not here, when they set the suspense dates. Not here is not a valid reason.

All the reason to book again and participate in the meet threads to help past the time til you meet again.

Welcome to the boards

 

[drparoo]

I can appreciate that there was a cut-off date for your group and agree that maybe the newcomers could have a mini-group, but please keep in mind that not everyone finds these boards way in advance. I just found this site and this board yesterday and the cut-off for my sail-date group had already passed. I couldn't have signed up earlier because I wasn't here. Not everyone is trying to be a pain in the butt.

I don't think anyone is saying you're trying to be a pain in the butt. The group isn't trying to be a pain, either. No judgment. They're just trying to be realistic for those who have already planned and trying to find a way to keep you included in whatever way they can.

 

[BusyYellowBug]

Just to clarify...I'm not upset or offended in any way. I understand that the OP was trying to be inclusive and believe me, I totally understand that people are volunteering their time to organize these things. Also, I didn't try to sign up on my own sail date FE because the date had passed. I don't fault the organizers in any way.

However, when I see people posting things like "you snooze, you lose" then the assumption is that the latecomers are just being inconsiderate and that may or may not be case. There is a lot to find on these boards - all sorts of fantastic information (as my poor, tired eyes can attest to since I spent hours reading the board yesterday), so it is understandable that newbies might just be trying to get in on the fun and not know all the proper etiquette.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

On our first cruise there wasn't a cut off date and there were groups added right up until 3 days before the cruise. We already had a large group. I had made custom gifts for each cabin (even personalized for some with birthdays, babies, etc), so it was not easy for me to make another 12 or 14 items; in fact it was extremely difficult.

The only reason I joined the FE this time around (Feb. cruise) is for the reason that there is a cut off date. Again, we will be bringing a custom item (though this time I ordered instead of making myself). I have already passed the information along to the party making the gifts for us so I can have them in time for our cruise. Any family added at this point (approx. a month away) would not be getting a gift from us. I personally would feel awful if I received a FE item from someone and had nothing for them in return.

To the op, I agree with others; maybe suggest they start their own group. I would not want to receive a gift from someone if I had nothing for them.

This is just my $0.02.

 

[so_oregon]

I did the above on my last cruise, participated in both FEs as I tend to be an over-buyer anyway. Worked out well for both groups.

I wonder tho if some people NEVER find the meet group and just put up FEs because they have seen them on the ships. The last cruise there were probably five cabins that I saw on my rounds (we made like three rounds of the FE deliveries), that were not on either list.....maybe they think it is like Secret Santa and the brownies deliver presents to anyone with an FE..? lol.

Karen