Season's (well nearly) greetings, and welcome to the MUMSNET SECRET SANTA 2014!

[SantaSandyMumsnet]

Sleepy reindeer are waking, Christmas elves are busy mulling wine, and we at MNHQ - and you lovely lot - need to get cracking. Yes, we know it's only October, but the Mumsnet Secret Santa waits for no one

For those of you who are new to our seasonal spreading of goodwill, the idea is that Mumsnetters nominate fellow Mumsnetters whom they feel particularly deserve some festive cheer to receive an anonymous Christmas present. We also open a thread asking for gift donations, and match these to the nominees as part of a HUGE anonymous Secret Santa operation. For more on how the whole thing works (clue: as smoothly as a rocket-powered sleigh), take a look here.

This Christmas tradition was a scheme cooked up by Mumsnetters themselves, and it has thrived over the years due to their generosity (you can find out more on how it came about over here). It generally goes without any major hitches , but there are just a few rules and regs which it's worth brushing up on.

And now, to business. The nominations page is live, and you can add your nominee's name at any time from now until 29th October, when the page will close. We'll then drop all nominees a line to ask for their addresses, the ages/sex of their DC, if they have them, and any further family details they're happy to share with us and their donor. This information needs to be with us by 7th November.

The donations thread is also live, so please pop on and let us know if you'd like to make someone's Christmas a little bit more special by showing them that they're in your thoughts. In terms of what to donate, we love vouchers because they're easy to match, but we're delighted with all sorts. Remember, nothing is too small, and please don't worry if you're thinking of donating a gift with a low cash value, because money is really not what this is about.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your awesome generosity. You amaze us every year.

It's all now in your capables, but if you have any queries we're happy to hear from you at [email protected].

'And the bells were ringing out for Christmas day.'

[Ifyourawizardwhydouwearglasses]

Santa!? HERE!??
I KNOW him!!!!

[Dawndonnaagain]

Computer says No, and yet, I know the person I wanted to nominate exists, but it says she doesn't.
Harrumph!

[spaghettiarms1]

Look Daddy,
Teacher says
Every time a bell rings
an angel gets his wings.

[wineoclocktimeye]

I'm new to this, can I ask please whether the number of nominations is taken into account? My person has helped lots of others and I wonder if it's in the spirit of SS for me to drop these people a PM to see if they might like to nominate her too.

[MirandaWest]

I think that as long as there are enough givers that people who are nominated only need one nomination IYSWIM. And if other people she's helped want to nominate I'm sure they will.

[wineoclocktimeye]

OK, thanks.

[BoreOfWhabylon]

Have nominated and also put my name down as a 'giver'

I've got a warm christmassy glow already

[Titsalinabumsquash]

I've put myself down to donate, one of the items is very specific (location based too) I hope that's ok.

[QuietNinjaTardis]

Woohoo. Have nominated and donated as I love Christmas and want to spread the good cheer! ooh there's a thought! can we have a Christmas ? I think it would look great with a Santa hat or some tinsel.

[dinkystinky]

Nominated and donated here too - its one of the loveliest things about MN at this time of year

[StuntBottom]

Glad this is running again this year. I was nominated a few years ago, during a very difficult time in my life, and I can't tell you how much difference my wonderful MN Santas made that Christmas. Glad of the opportunity to pay it back now.

[JerseySpud]

I've nominated

[MollyHooper]

Oooooooooh! Look at the lovely logo, is that new?

[ThreeQuartersEmpty]

Nominated and donated.
I love that you take the time to organise this, its really great!
Well done MNHQ!

[noideawottoget]

oh how lovely. its really christmas now :).

[SantasLittleMonkeyButler]

Donated. Can't think of who to nominate just yet, will put some thought in to it.

[SantaSandyMumsnet]

Greeting everyone,

So lovely to see you all. The nomination and donation pages are filling up fast! It's heartwarming to watch.

Any queries, just to be sure they're not missed, please mail [email protected]

[TheCunkOfPhilomena]

Have nominated and shall go and donate asap! I love this.

[CatsCantTwerk]

I have nominated, I shall donate too as soon as I can :)

[PepsiTwirl]

IV NOMINATED... Will donate too

[wantacatplease]

I've nominated! And I will donate ASAP.

[Dowser]

I know nothing about this. Will Hague to look it up.

Sounds li,e a good idea though. I've been around the Internet....well tit feels forever and never heard anyone doing this before.

[Trumpton]

Will Hague to look it up ! Love it.
Would be honoured to donate.

[daisychain01]

I'm happy to donate, but when it comes to nominating someone, I am unsure what to do because it seems people knows each other a lot and wave to each other etc.

I just realised I have not had any actual contact and I think if I pick someone randomly just because I recognise their user name they may think Im a bit stange and wonder why!