... to let all you chancers know that there's no MN Secret Santa this year

[BIWI]

Mumsnet is a very different place now, compared to a few years ago, when the lovely Soapy set up the first secret Santa.

It's become a much bigger site, which obviously benefits MNHQ, but it's made a secret Santa untenable.

There have been a lot of rumblings over the last few years from people about whether we want it or not. But ultimately it's become just too big and unmanageable a job for anyone to handle.

So all you chancers who wait until this time each year to post your sob stories no longer need to bother.

Oh thank god someone said it out loud [thank]

I suspect the report button is broken too.

Well I shall take back the gifts I planned for you both shall I?
Very disappointed Honey and BIWI.
AND in this house. I say Honey. You say Dragon. Only sensible response if you ask me!

It already is, korma. Sadly. It irritates the fuck out of me.

Agreed. Thank you BIWI.

You do remember I have threatened violence, fruit shoots and extreme bunfightiness to anyone doing the HoneyD thing, yes?!

Thank god for that.

There have been a lot of sob stories posted in the past few days. Very reminiscent of the guff that The Wilted Rose wound come out with every bloody Christmas

But..but....I only have £2.87 to last until the New Year and my brother's friends dog needs the vet.......

Haha to Honey D. Now I didn't say that. You actually started it!
No sob stories here. But I did crash my car yesterday and there are sooooo many variaties of gin I would like to try for Christmas.
Ooo send a bottle of gin?! Better than a bloody round robin?!

Curses, foiled again

She always had her begging bowl out from September onwards didn't she, Queen.

Oh bollocks. Id got my lost puppy and maimed grandma story perfected as well
Sigh

The last one seemed to involve needing a new leather sofa because she didn't have a tumble drier. No, me neither.

In fairness, if money is tight for people, you're more likely to moan about it at Christmas, it doesn't necessarily mean they are chancers.

Your heating bills go up, you need warm clothes for the kids, you need presents, food, decorations. We live hand to mouth with money and I'm dreading Xmas, but feel like I can't moan about it here (been a member for 8 years under various guises), or even ask for help or advice because I don't want to be accused of begging. Have some sympathy for people.

TBH there are plenty of charities who make sure kiddies don't go without, every year there are big drives in our town and said charities are usually left with a ton of undistributed, donated gifts. Scrounging and dropping hints on MN is really not needed (( and that goes for some long standing posters too )) anyone involved with womens aid or charities will be given help accessing this help. Families who receive free school.meals are also made aware of this, as are those who have involvement of ss (( speaking about my area, will be different elsewhere I imagine ))

FWIW we won't be having much of a christmas this year, swings and roundabouts really. Im fine with that, it's one day out of 365. What I do have is too much pride to go beg to.strangers on the internet (( and a total lack.of imagination to.sound realistic )) 😂😂😂

But, but.. the adorable baby elephant my MIL bought the kiddies to cheer them after the landslide destroyed our house has just trampled the replacement house underfoot and now I have no house, or furniture, or Christmas (daily mail )

In fairness, if money is tight for people, you're more likely to moan about it at Christmas, it doesn't necessarily mean they are chancers.

True, but a whinge normally just sounds like a whinge.

When you start getting faux sounding phrases like 'any ideas ladies?' or (I remember once) 'my mate told me MN is a good place for ideas'.

Posted too soon.

When you start reading those kind of alibi phrases; 'this is why i'm posting, don't want nuffin' honest guv' phrases, it strikes a bum note.

Wittery

In fairness, if money is tight for people, you're more likely to moan about it at Christmas, it doesn't necessarily mean they are chancers

That's very true. But sadly, the ones who come here to scam us, are not the posters who are here all year suffering. They come here because they know that Mumsnetters are very generous souls.

And it's truly sad. Because those who are genuinely in need are no longer being helped by us.

It's always a bit of a give away when you do a search on a poster's name and you find that they've never posted before.

Oh but I was just about to tell you all about...

Never mind.

Who's Soapy anyway?

I saw one thread title earlier that immediately set my chancer alarm off - it really is that time of year.

Wittery, there's always the place to have a moan - it really can be an expensive time of year - but every year threads pop up that are just blatantly trying to cadge money from people. You can spot them a mile off, because the OP never wants advice, info or links to help, they want your cash.

It won't stop them.

The smell of bonfires and fireworks in their coats is their reminder to start a MN begging thread!