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
Well if it's gin you want, then I'm the person you need...
I love the MN secret Santa, tis magic, and just let me know if you need highlighters for your spreadsheets Rebecca, I have spares. They even glow in the dark
It's lovely to see this still going. I was a recipient the first ever year and quite honestly things were so bad that year we would have had nothing without some kind MNers sending parcels for the kids.
You can't imagine how wonderful a feeling it was 
I can't participate this year sadly but just wanted to let anyone dithering about donating know... For some recipients this can be the difference between having Christmas or not, for others going through a really shitty time this year for reasons other than financial, getting something can help them feel a bit less overwhelmed and show them that someone out there is thinking of them. I can't stress enough how much of a difference that caring gesture can make to the recipient.
Oh, how lovely. I remember the first year this happened. I've never received anything but used to donate and I loved it. Even if it was only something small, it was nice to do something for someone & the receivers always seemed so grateful.I wish I could promise to donate this year but I'm not well & face losing my job so time and money are tight. If I manage to make something over the next couple of weeks, I will donate it. I just wanted to say how wonderful this is & how glad I am that it is still going. Well done Mumsnet
SR (((hugs))) sniff sniff sniff
NSF I can remember your fabulous DH climbing moutains with his laptop, bless him, he was a complete star.
Have nominated and donating too. This is truly one of the best things about MN.
Weirdly, the people I bought for the last few years have ended up as friends. Small world
Newsletters you might like
Done/offered to be a donor. Last year was a real low point for me and I was so lucky to receive a gift. To my nominator and donor I was so very very grateful for the cheer this brought and this year I can put a smile on someone else's face I hope
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