Mumsnet Christmas Appeal/Secret Santa - your thoughts please?

Amid all the many other worthy causes and hundred and one things plus the fact that they often have PT and FT jobs too- yes. It is also a minefield of organisation and quite possibly something that would potentially be a problem.

The administration of such activities go way beyond 'putting out a simple tweet or thread' sadly (they will have to then liaise w/ HQ and or the people on the thread which may take a lot of effort) and press coverage isn't as simple as all that either. Local editors cannot just 'get' local press coverage- they have to go through HQ and get permission first for every quote, feature etc.

What too much effort to put out a thread and a tweet to it for people to add their details on? Really? Surely it's a great opportunity to make some local links in the community, get a bit of local press coverage of a Good Thing which could then drive more advertising revenue and sales.

Minimal effort for maximum return I'd have thought.

Not that anyone would be obligated but local editors know their local community so are worth asking. As evidenced by wiganerpie.

I imagine the Local Editors already have enough on their plates...seeing as they already work many hours for free in a lot of cases.

Really really wealthy people can have a shit time too. What you have in the bank is immaterial. I'd hate to think that fiscal fortune precludes a Mumsnetter from being included in this and feeling cared about.

For many posters, Mumsnet is a kind of family and nobody wants to feel cast out by their family.

And I would never donate expecting a thank you. That is so the wrong motivation for giving. Altruistic egoism should be enjoyed from the act of giving itself. That's all.

You could still do that BIWI but just take out the postal element that makes it a total arse-ache.

The massive workload arises from the anonymity requirement.

There are lots of interesting ideas here.

But at heart, the simple* thing of being able to nominate someone for a gift, because they're having a tough time, or because you value their contribution to the MN community, is a lovely thing and I would be very, very sad if we moved away from this.

*I am aware that it isn't a simple task from MNHQ's point of view

The DIY threads were really easy. With the Secret Santa present one, it was suggested that you sent one to the previous poster.

The cards one was more a case of, 'Would anyone like a Christmas card?'

But you do have to tell someone your address via PM.

Zombie already supports the charities that are important to her.

She really appreciates the opportunity that the Christmas Thingy offers to give something back to the MN community. She appreciates that it is a LOT of work for HQ and in particular for SandyMumsnet. But she would hate to see it end.

She didn't know about the card thread last year but will keep an eye out for that this year.

Might even generate a bit of traffic to the local sites too...

Great! It's like MN Christmas gift giving 2.0. But with less glitches than the new mobile site...

asking local editors for assistance is a really interesting idea

Yes I much prefer the idea of Christmas cards and if someone wants to put in a supermarket voucher or similar they can. Or even e-cards and e-vouchers and avoid the whole confidentiality issue with sharing addresses and problems with the post?? Possibly much easier to coordinate for MNHQ: poster A contacts MNHQ to send poster B an attached e-card and voucher. MNHQ then sends it on. Job done. No thank yous, no wondering if things are lost in the post, no waaaah! threads, no confidentiality issues.

It would be nice to have collection points for where those that want to drop off or send physical items for a refuge or the homeless to be able to do so. Have you thought about buddying up with another organisation like NCT (or one of the others) that does baby bundles for new parents? Or Homestart? Personally we donate to a local homeless shelter in our town but they don't have much call for washable nappies, baby grows and muslins! Or even a list of contacts grouped by region would be useful.

And I like the refuge list too.

So... I propose MNHQ scraps the old broken Xmas gift thingy and instead:

Sets up a list of local places where MNers can donate physical things. Use local editors knowledge and also have MNHQ make contact with some other organisations to see if they want to add contact details to the list. Then it's up to the MNer and the contact to sort it out between them.

Organise and manage an e-card exchange for those who want to send a message or a gift.

Let those MNers who want to organise their own Christmas card swap thread get on with it.

Promote a single charity campaign to support at Christmas for those who wish to do so, such as Crisis Xmas dinners or the refuge gift list.

That looks at lot but really it's just facilitating what others are doing with the exception of the e-card exchange which is likely to be much less work that the current faff-tastic gripe fest.

Ah but Quint if this thread was hidden Maryz would not have seen it and suggested her completely appropriate names!

Although I'm surprised she didn't just hide it!

YY and all the proceeds can go to Womens Aid.
Right it's all sorted MN - HTH.

BeCool there could be an apron and a tea towel and everything.

Ooh yes an ODFOC card-brilliant walk.

ODFO Deer!

A ODFOC card would be good.

I gave a gift last year, it was an Amazon voucher and the MNer who received it posted a lovely post about what she was going to get with it. I was chuffed!

Through that post I understood a little bit of her story but it wasn't familiar to me and I don't think she was in particular financial hardship. I thought it was just a nice thing to do!

I stopped reading the threads after I saw her post. Did it all get nasty? People are weird.

I would like to see it keep going.

Sparking sounds like the best seller will be:

Did You Mean To Be So Rudolf (and not thank me for my SS pressie?)

properly laughing at *Which could be shortened to MN Random Appreciative Nativity Token

Or possibly the MN Cheer Up Nativity Treat*

:o :o :o

I think it should stay - I offered something home made last year, no idea if it was appreciated, but it was the thought which counted. There are some posters on this site who I will never meet or 'know' outside of MN, but I like being able to say thanks or merry christmas or just hi to them via this secret santa thing.

Maybe MNHQ can add MN Christmas cards to the merchandise range?

Maybe a card with ODFOD on the front. Or 'AIBU to hate Christmas'