The Christmas topic is open, so it is time once again for the Christmas Appeal. I have, in a moment of lunacy, said that I will run it this year (with help from chief-elf who I will leave to out herself). I only hope we can do as good a job as Soapbox, LittleLapin and SaintGeorge have done in previous years.

Here is an explination of what it is, and how it works, plagiarised heavily from StGs post last year...

The idea was that Mumsnetters offered gifts of good condition used toys and clothes, or small new gifts including vouchers, and Soapy/Lapin/StG matched them up with other Mumsnetters who perhaps were having a tough year - financially or emotionally. If you would like to donate but can't afford to buy new presents, keep in mind that 'pre-loved' items in good condition, such as maternity clothes, toys, games and baby things have been gratefully received in previous years.

If you want to get involved, either by donating, nominating or both then please email me on:

mumsnetsanta@live.co.uk
If you are both donating and nominating, please send a separate email for each one (this is just to help with filing). You can nominate yourself.

I need the following details:

Your MN Name
Whether you are donating or nominating
What you would like to give / receive

If you are a nominee, or are nominating someone, I will need a mailing address. Please say if you are happy for your RL name to be given out, or if you would prefer any gifts to be addressed to "The Mumsnetter of the House" or similar!

If you are giving gifts, please say what sort they are (toys, clothes, etc) and for what age/sex of child they are appropriate.

If you would like a gift, please say the age/sex of your children (if nominating, please give as much of this info as you can for your nominee).

If you would like vouchers, please say for which shops (obviously I can't guarantee anything here, but it helps to match people up, and people who have offered vouchers).

I won't be putting any names of nominees on the board; if you like, you can come on and say thank you if someone nominates you, but otherwise it will be anonymous (you can always name-change to post thanks). Please do let Mumsnet Santa know that you have received your gift so that we can make sure that everything has arrived and reassure the giver of that gift.

The deadline for signing up is November 8th to allow plenty of time. I aim to have the matches out by December 1st to give plenty of time for the trip to queue at the post office.

All nominees must have been registered Mumsnet members BEFORE July 1st 2009.
I would prefer nominators to have been Mumsnet members before September 1st 2009.

Finally, I would urge you ALL, even if you will never get nominated in a million years , to make sure you can receive CATs. This is free. You just need to go to MyMumsnet / Email Options and make sure the option is enabled.

Right then ? off you go!