I have an idea to radically change Christmas for all mumsnetters. NO blithering appeal.

[Northernlurker]

I've been here since 2007. In that time I've seen mnay happy appeal posts and a lot of unhappy ones. Last year we had the ungrateful issue with people not thanking and we had the organisational issue and we had the stressed donors with no time to shop and we had people getting stuff way after Christmas. The year before there were definately suggestions of people joinging mnet to profit from the appeal. Now this year in AUGUST we've had the who is or isn't popular enough to be allowed to do it - the threads concerning that have hit a new low tbh.

So how about NO appeal. Just keep your eyes open and if you're on a thread with somebody having a hard time give them your e-mail or get thm to CAT you and then you can send them something one to one. Or give a mum friend you know in RL a gift to cher thenm/help them out. No organisation, no fuss, no ego - just friends on and off line showing each other love at Christmas.

I shall wear a wig. A red one.

Good namechanging. And I find the idea of you being subservient to a medieval torture device/crime deterrent frightfully macabre.

Now, genuflect, peasants.

I think you'll find I have the monopoly on amusing Shirley names.

Liberty made me do it Miss!

She is no more Royalty than I am.

Now, take that off that gimp mask and stop being so blimming silly.

Don't listen to her ProperShirley. I'm having UpstartShirley excommunicated in the morning. If I remember.

I'm important enough to cope with several Shirleys worshipping me, following me like lost puppies and generally fainting in my presence.

I'm up for a shirley bitch slap if you are.

anyone else sniggering at royalty and clique-talk

plus ca change

i WILL CuT YOU.

I SWEAR TO God

That's right, I'm ready to go totally psycho-Billy on your arse unless you take off that name RIGHT NOW CORNSILK....

I'm wearing Per Una with THESE underneath. Do your worst.

Are you meant to look like you're smuggling peanuts?

And I have 3 on.

haha.

I hope you are wearing one in the middle of your forehead. That would be aces.

What's with the Shirley overload?

Can't be doing with two of 'em.

Liberty is recruiting Shirleys as hand maidens.

That's what I was saying Getorf. I'm the original Shirley.

Cornsilk is just being a BITCH and she will pay.

oh yes. she will paaaay

thing is unless someone is kind enough to notice all the crap you go though, soe people might feel very let down. Just because someone isnt shouting about what a hard time they have doesnt mean it doesnt happen iyswim.
I dont know what the answer is and think the appeal is a great idea. One very kind MNetter who knows who she is was very kind to me the other week and noticed the crap im going though and sent me something very nice, which was very lovely. Im all for giving pressies when needed and not waiting till xmas.

hear hear....if you want to do something lovely (mumoverseas is still making me well up at her generosity) please have a look at my thread...

all donations greatly received

Items over £30 that we could auction/raffle
Looking for beauty products (to make up a beauty hamper)
goody bag donations

Your trash could be our treasure!!

agree with the idea of helping out other MNetters in need - would do and have offered in the past.

However, wrt an offical "xmas appeal" I agree with OP - lets send donations to pakistan/Red Cross/DEC.

Well there's nothimg I can do. I'm Liberty's hand maiden now. You'll have to ask her to change it to Demi or something.

ShirleyKnot Mon 23-Aug-10 16:31:07
i WILL CuT YOU.

I SWEAR TO God

I've laughed til my ribs hurt twice in the last week - both times were reading your posts!

I'm still laughing at that one as well

God, I agree NL.
The appeal started as something simple and lovely, and even then it was so much work that Soapbox had to draft in her sisters for help iirc.
Now it's some sort of wretched behemouth, with posters even worrying that their gifts are inadequate. A MN-sponsored doctor/MW/school/orphanage somewhere it's really needed would be great. MNHQ could collect money, speak to an aid agency and then send the dosh. Simple and hopefully effective.