Yep, customized magnets are a gift I've done. Etsy makes it very easy.I'm signed up for one and our group has 8 staterooms. I'm not going too crazy. heck, 3 of the cabins are first timers, so one of the gifts will be a "our first cruise" magnet for the door. easy peasy!
Yep, customized magnets are a gift I've done. Etsy makes it very easy.
I like the tagging because it ensures that you get the gifts the right people. On my last sailing there were so many state room changes they really help to make sure the right people got the gifts.I forgot that part. It was anonymous in the very beginning.
It is not for everyone. Some people enjoy that kind of stuff believe it or not. LOL The only thing that I don't agree with is your time statement. I don't consider 20 minutes out of the whole cruise to be excessive. The times that I have done it, I looked ahead where the rooms are and planned a route. Some people think that lounging in a chair is a waste of time.I've never understood the appeal of FE: the expense, the work before and during vacation, and the added suitcase space required is all a no from me. And the time it takes out of your trip to deliver them all when there is so much to enjoy on the ship! For repeat cruisers who have seen all the shows and ridden the Aqueduck dozens of times, I guess I might get it, but even then, I would rather take whatever I might spend on FE gifts and get myself one souvenir I really want, rather than receive a half dozen random knickknacks from strangers. To each their own, but I think a lot of folks feel FOMO, sign up for groups, and put pressure on themselves to come up with great FE gifts, when they could just opt out and relax on their vacation instead.
I agree there is work before the vacation—for me it is part of the vacation planning ritual, like the work I put into pirate costumes for pirate night, or researching pre-cruise hotels, or booking onboard activities shore excursions. Not everyone does those things either, but a lot of people do like to do work ahead of the cruise to enhance the fun on the cruise—and for me it is worth putting together a fun gift for 5-10 cabins in order to have the fun of receiving some fun surprises on the ship. Just like a mini-Christmas.I've never understood the appeal of FE: the expense, the work before and during vacation, and the added suitcase space required is all a no from me. And the time it takes out of your trip to deliver them all when there is so much to enjoy on the ship! For repeat cruisers who have seen all the shows and ridden the Aqueduck dozens of times, I guess I might get it, but even then, I would rather take whatever I might spend on FE gifts and get myself one souvenir I really want, rather than receive a half dozen random knickknacks from strangers. To each their own, but I think a lot of folks feel FOMO, sign up for groups, and put pressure on themselves to come up with great FE gifts, when they could just opt out and relax on their vacation instead.
Agreed. We just did it in October and we were the cheap-o-s for sure at about $15 a cabin. I ended up just feeling bad about what we gave (reusable straws with Mickeys on the case for adults, toys for kid based on age plus an individual regional candy to where we live for everyone). Plus although cute- half of the things we got are now at Goodwill. I decided we won’t do it again.I miss the old days. It became a gift competion and so much complaining about what was given that it lost all the fun. We stopped doing the FE exchange this last time and honestly, it was quite liberating.
I understand your feelings.Agreed. We just did it in October and we were the cheap-o-s for sure at about $15 a cabin. I ended up just feeling bad about what we gave (reusable straws with Mickeys on the case for adults, toys for kid based on age plus an individual regional candy to where we live for everyone). Plus although cute- half of the things we got are now at Goodwill. I decided we won’t do it again.
Agreed. We just did it in October and we were the cheap-o-s for sure at about $15 a cabin. I ended up just feeling bad about what we gave (reusable straws with Mickeys on the case for adults, toys for kid based on age plus an individual regional candy to where we live for everyone). Plus although cute- half of the things we got are now at Goodwill. I decided we won’t do it again.
Some people enjoy giving and receiving small presents, while others don't. Just like some people enjoy Secret Santa and others don't. You're either that type or you're not. Some people don't get it while others enjoy it. As is the case for pretty much every other diversion in life, including going on Disney cruises.I've never understood the appeal of FE: the expense, the work before and during vacation, and the added suitcase space required is all a no from me. And the time it takes out of your trip to deliver them all