edeneyes Posted November 21, 2011 #1 Share Posted November 21, 2011 I participated in the Meet and Mingle gift exchange for the first time on the Voyager Oct 2011 transatlantic. The gift I picked turned out to be old 1990's Christmas ornaments that were advertisements for a business and a plastic ballpoint pen that was also an advertisement. I was shocked that someone would actually put something like this in the gift exchange. If you don't want to spend a couple of dollars and put a little thought into the gift, then don't participate. I was happy to see the person who picked my gift really liked it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trainman-2 Posted November 22, 2011 #2 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Cheapskates are walking amongst us! Beware! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lori450 Posted November 22, 2011 #3 Share Posted November 22, 2011 That's disappointing. It doesn't sound like it was in the spirit of the event. I'm glad the person who got yours liked it. We used to do gift exhanges that symbolized our home state in some way. It was fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrp96 Posted November 22, 2011 #4 Share Posted November 22, 2011 That's disappointing. It doesn't sound like it was in the spirit of the event. I'm glad the person who got yours liked it. We used to do gift exhanges that symbolized our home state in some way. It was fun. I've done that as well. It was fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avril4111 Posted November 22, 2011 #5 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I hear you- only participated on our first cruise. We brought a nice gift from Reed & Barton Silversmiths, a local company. I won't mention what we got in return since all Meet & Mingle attendees are from this board, but let's just say it was a conversation piece!!:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted November 22, 2011 #6 Share Posted November 22, 2011 So, make lemonade. You now have a great story to tell! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lori450 Posted November 22, 2011 #7 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I hear you- only participated on our first cruise. We brought a nice gift from Reed & Barton Silversmiths, a local company. I won't mention what we got in return since all Meet & Mingle attendees are from this board, but let's just say it was a conversation piece!!:rolleyes: OK, now I am intrigued. Any hints? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddie Posted November 22, 2011 #8 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Bah, humbug! Is it just me? I was taught to say "thank you" and be done with it. teddie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerif Posted November 22, 2011 #9 Share Posted November 22, 2011 My favorite (not) gift in a gift exchange was a receipt for a donation made to the giver's favorite charity. This was not on a cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bplazo Posted November 22, 2011 #10 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Just re-gift! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starry Eyes Posted November 22, 2011 #11 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Just re-gift! Hmm, interesting thought. Maybe the person had received the ornament and pen on the spring TA, then refitted them on the fall one. Everybody on next spring's sailing beware!:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcur Posted November 22, 2011 #12 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Personally, I think it would be hysterical to have a "white elephant" gift exchange at the meet and mingles. Those are really fun! We used to do that in our old neighborhood, and the gifts were atrocious and funny!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AerynSun_JohnCrighton Posted November 22, 2011 #13 Share Posted November 22, 2011 We always do a gift exchange. I was in charge of our last M&G (NCL SUN last April) but I haven't done RCCL in a few years...Princess, HAL and NCL lately (they are the ones that have run deals for the time I can go..school system and all) and I don't recall seeing anything like what the OP mentioned. Dad got a t-shirt once, but it was from the state/region the cruiser was from... we always have done the gifts that represent the area you are from! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarinaGW Posted November 22, 2011 #14 Share Posted November 22, 2011 If people were REALLY dedicated to the gift exchange, I'd post the Dead Dog Party gift exchange rules. But, a) it can take some time & b) it can get pretty cut throat in a completely laugh your gut out way. Both a & b can be mitigated by the presence of umbrella drinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grand isle joe Posted November 22, 2011 #15 Share Posted November 22, 2011 .....it is better to give than recieve..... ....O.K.....that's a bunch of crap......damn you cheapskate!!:mad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bplazo Posted November 22, 2011 #16 Share Posted November 22, 2011 One year at work, I received a xmas gift of a homemade candle that was so ugly and atrocious that my coworkers and I laughed about it for the longest time (they also received one too). I did put it in a future white elephant exchange and we all laughed until it hurt. So it really was a great gift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topaz_M Posted November 22, 2011 #17 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I love the idea of a "White Elephant" gift exchange - there are a few things lying around here from "Secret Santa" gifts that would be prime candidates :rolleyes: :p I'm glad to say that many a gift I have given has been fought over with the swap rules!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bakincakes Posted November 22, 2011 #18 Share Posted November 22, 2011 The absolute funniest gift exchange gift we ever saw was years ago. 6 couples got together for a pot luck right before Christmas. We were all happy not to have to cook big meals as we shared dinner together. We arranged for a grab bag gift exchange and went into hysterics as one woman opened a "battery operated" gift. Her jaws dropped open and we all lost it laughing,especially when one of our male neighbors retrieved the gift, that was meant for his wife, from the "lucky" recipient.:p Seems he grabbed the wrong package from under the tree. We had fun with that when it rolled around to his wifes birthday as she was presented with lots of new batteries for her Christmas "toy".:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catnt2 Posted November 22, 2011 #19 Share Posted November 22, 2011 That's disappointing. It doesn't sound like it was in the spirit of the event. I'm glad the person who got yours liked it. We used to do gift exhanges that symbolized our home state in some way. It was fun. We've done a few of the gifts exchanges and they were all something from the home state. I have rec'd some nice gifts through these, although it was difficult getting something that I felt anyone would like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catnt2 Posted November 22, 2011 #20 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I love the idea of a "White Elephant" gift exchange - there are a few things lying around here from "Secret Santa" gifts that would be prime candidates :rolleyes: Funny you mention that...I have been bringing out our Holiday Decorations and found many items I said...Ew, where did this come from :eek: , because I know I would never buy anything like that!! Maybe we should do a gift exchange on our Oasis cruise.......I have lots of junk, oh I mean glorious gifts. :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calbar Posted November 22, 2011 #21 Share Posted November 22, 2011 i am sailing on allure next may and have signed up for gift exchange,i come from canada and live where maple syrup is made do u think that is a good gift ? and you guys have me scared LOL!!! always try to do the right thing but have had my share of disappointed over a gift!!:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nonna5 Posted November 22, 2011 #22 Share Posted November 22, 2011 i am sailing on allure next may and have signed up for gift exchange,i come from canada and live where maple syrup is made do u think that is a good gift ? and you guys have me scared LOL!!! always try to do the right thing but have had my share of disappointed over a gift!!:rolleyes: I would love to get maple syrup for a gift.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melbur Posted November 22, 2011 #23 Share Posted November 22, 2011 i am sailing on allure next may and have signed up for gift exchange,i come from canada and live where maple syrup is made do u think that is a good gift ? and you guys have me scared LOL!!! always try to do the right thing but have had my share of disappointed over a gift!!:rolleyes: This is a great one . . . the real McCoy is much appreciated I have found out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janice M Posted November 22, 2011 #24 Share Posted November 22, 2011 i am sailing on allure next may and have signed up for gift exchange,i come from canada and live where maple syrup is made do u think that is a good gift ? and you guys have me scared LOL!!! always try to do the right thing but have had my share of disappointed over a gift!!:rolleyes: That's a great gift. Its very expensive here. Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyriecat Posted November 22, 2011 #25 Share Posted November 22, 2011 REAL maple syrup? Fabulous idea! Maple sugar candies are wonderful too. The candies might be easier to carry to the ship if you are flying plus no risk of them leaking in your suitcase. Personally, I think you have a great idea, but it's hard to find good real maple syrup where I am. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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