We've all seen the mini chocolate snowmen in the shops and the cries for all Christmas-based threads to be moved out of AIBU to the Christmas topic 
- so that can only mean one thing! It's time for the MN Christmas Appeal.
Little bit of history for those who are new to the whole idea: in the past, Mumsnetters offered to donate gifts to other Mumsnetters in need over Christmas. And you also nominated Mumsnetters to receive these gifts. Each year, a particularly saintly Mumsnetter volunteered to match up the donors with the nominees and organise a mass posting of presents.
Two years ago, we felt the Appeal had grown so large that it was too much for one person to co-ordinate - so we moved it onto the MNHQ to-do list and this will be our third year.
Here's how it works.
You have until Monday 22 October to nominate a fellow MNetter who you think has gone over and above, offered you some lovely advice, might need a little help or someone who is generally an all round luffly person.
You can nominate here
You also have until Monday 22 October to pledge your donation for a fellow MNetter. Vouchers are easier to match but we have had all sorts in the past from Christmas trees to hampers and re-gifted items. Nothing is too small.
You can donate here
We then contact all of those nominated by the 29th October and ask them for their address and age/sex of their DC, this information will need to be back to us by Friday 9 November
Nominees and donors will then be matched and we will send those who donated, their matched nominees address by Friday 23 November so that gifts can be sent well before the final Christmas post. Parcels are addressed to the MNetter of the House (unless otherwise stated) to try to maintain anonymity.
This whole process is anonymous, we do not pass over RL or Talk names.
If you would like to get a gift for someone specific then it is better to arrange it with them directly. As much as we would love to facilitate all of your Christmas wishes, we simply don't have the brain power capacity
Donors and nominees are given a number to quote to say thank you to one another following the gifts being sent out.
Any questions about the frankly terribly confusing process, please do ask.
May we be the first to wish you a very Merry Christmas
From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.
MNHQ have commented on this thread
Christmas
LAST CHANCE! Closes today! MN Christmas appeal 2012 - Nominations and Donations thread
RebeccaMumsnet · 08/10/2012 17:18
Ooh, Norma.
Your stuint was before my time, but I have heard you've got mahoosive accolades.
Tres bon.
I've donated. I was tempted just send lots of gin to MNHQ but decided not to suck up This giving is a wonderful idea, thank you.
Just out of curiosity, MNHQ, how many recipients were there last year?
@everydayaschoolday
.It is totally up to you. Some people like to wrap the gifts and put a note in for the parents and others like to send the gift and some stuff to wrap it and others just send a gift.
It is totally up to the individual
@ChaosTrulyReigns
erm, I did it last year
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@TodaysAGoodDay
This giving is a wonderful idea, thank you.Just out of curiosity, MNHQ, how many recipients were there last year?
You say you're NOT sending gin and then you ask a Q! [cheek]
A few hundred matches IIRC, more nominations than donations.
@ChaosTrulyReigns
"A few hundred matches IIRC, more nominations than donations."
Um.
Rebecca, you utter tweedle.
ha ha ha < goes to bed> the first one is right.
MORE DONATIONS THAN NOMINATIONS
@BigBroomstickBIWI
Karma
Oh, Custard that is ODD!
I very much suspect a Royal Mail malfunction to blame rather than anything else. How lovely you are that you are going to donate this year anyway. 
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