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MNHQ

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

305 replies

SantaSandyMumsnet · 02/10/2014 13:14

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.'

OP posts:
Thread gallery
13
BlueChampagne · 21/10/2014 11:28

I have a used John Lewis padded coat that's still in good condition (washed, smoke and pet-free house) - would this be acceptable?

MNHQ
SantaSandyMumsnet · 21/10/2014 09:34

Morning all,

A big hug and thanks to everyone answering questions on the thread. You all know your stuff!

Any doubts about how this all works please email [email protected]

Season's (well nearly) greetings, and welcome to the MUMSNET SECRET SANTA 2014!
OP posts:
lalamumto3 · 20/10/2014 08:34

My nomination is in fingers crossed they get something.

Thank you Mumsnet, what a lovely idea.

RichTeaAreCrap · 19/10/2014 22:30

Oh I love this time of year and reading all the threads afterwards when donations have been made. It's an amazing thing to do and so lovely to be part of it.
I was once nominated many years ago and it was amazing how lovely it made me feel and how much it cheered me up to know people could be so kind. I have never been nominated since (and am so glad that donations were made to much more deserving people), and despite having the shittiest year ever this year dad heart surgery, miscarriage for me, then dad being given months to live (yes i really am that unlucky), I want to donate and try to help somebody who is feeling equally as fed up in the hope it will help just to give them a little bit of happiness this Christmas.
This really is MN at its best.
I will nominate now, it's so hard to pick one person though when there are so many I want to nominate!

NormaStanleyFletcher · 19/10/2014 08:24

Oh lovely to see this ::warm glow::

cozietoesie · 19/10/2014 08:22

You certainly can marcopront - although I seem to recall that MNHQ prefer vouchers/internet orders from non-UK members simply to avoid logistical problems/shipping issues near Xmas. (I guess it depends where you live and what you were thinking of donating so if you were thinking about sending a tangible item, you may just need to be very clear on the donation form that you would need some good advance notice and why.)

SantaSandy or one of the other posters may comment on that so keep a weather eye on this thread.

Smile
marcopront · 19/10/2014 05:51

Is there any way those of us who don't live in the UK can donate?

chocolatedonut · 18/10/2014 20:10

First christmas on mumsnet Smile have nominated and donated xx

CatherineJLackey · 18/10/2014 20:05

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 18/10/2014 13:19

Done.

cozietoesie · 18/10/2014 08:23

As BIWI said - and remember that not only are there members who donate without nominating but also that nominations might be duplicated. It's all worked out in previous years.

Smile
BIWI · 18/10/2014 08:14

No - nominations are totally separate from donations

daisychain01 · 18/10/2014 08:09

If you nominate 2 people, do you also have to donate 2 gifts?

Otherwise HQ could end up with more names than gifts. Or am I completely bonkers and missing the point

cozietoesie · 18/10/2014 07:42

Sandy usually works it out Piper. with the help of a bottle of gin

I think this is one of those where you just have to trust HQ on the matter if you want to donate. (Clearly, they can't breach privacy to tell you a whole load about the nominee other than the basic facts - but if you read some of the threads post donation, you would see that they're doing a sterling job in matching.)

BIWI · 17/10/2014 22:40

What do you need to know that isn't in the OP, or in the linked posts, Piper?

PiperIsOrange · 17/10/2014 22:16

I want to donate, but can MNHQ please tell me how the process work. Is there a vetting progress.

I don't want a warn glow or to feel I have made a difference, just want it to go to somebody who really deserves it.

BIWI · 17/10/2014 22:05

Yes!

admiralclingus · 17/10/2014 21:59

Are we able to nominate more than one person?

GratefulHead · 17/10/2014 20:10

I was nominated last year and it was a lovely surprise. I had lovely gifts from several MN angels.
This year I am donating :-D

Itsfab · 17/10/2014 18:29
Grin
cozietoesie · 17/10/2014 15:30

Itsfab

Maybe if the nominee has a much-loved family pet, they might include that in the information passed to the donor via HQ - so the donor could include a little pet gift as well if they want. (Young DCs are sometimes the strongest proponents of 'Fluffy getting a Xmas present as well'.) Wink

Pastamancer · 17/10/2014 14:34

Just nominated and offered to donate. Couldn't donate last year so just nominated but back to doing both again this year.

Itsfab · 17/10/2014 14:09

No idea why Zombie's thread on the 14th at 22:52 made me think of this but I am wondering if we could do a pet one? Buying a toy for a dog or a cat would be so much fun GrinGrin.

And why don't we have cat and dog emoticons??

aristocat · 17/10/2014 11:56

:)

MNHQ
SantaSandyMumsnet · 17/10/2014 11:52

@ThreeQuartersEmpty

frankie the point of Secret Santa, as said in the OP, is for MNers to nominate fellow MNers. The reason the six months rule was introduced was after the thread last year that I won't bring up again. I'm sure we all know someone in RL who would benefit from a surprise gift, but that's not the point of the MN Santa.

I've reported your post and hopefully MNHQ will clarify.

Thanks for reporting. We've posted, but as always if anyone has any questions, however small, please mail us at [email protected].

OP posts: