LAST CHANCE! Closes today! MN Christmas appeal 2012 - Nominations and Donations thread

[RebeccaMumsnet]

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

[NorksAreMessy]

For both. Some mums give every last thing to their DC so it is really nice to give them a treat too.
Whatever you would like yourself would be lovely :)

[PinkChampagneandStrawberries]

I hadn't discovered MN last year but this is such a wonderful idea I will definitely be taking part.

The person I would like to nominate hasn't been around recently (or I have just not seen her) or she has possibly NC'd, hopefully she will be back and get something

[SomebodySaveMe]

I'd love to donate. Is there a rough price range for the gift/voucher or is it just what people can afford?

[BigBroomstickBIWI]

It's up to you - what you want to give/what you can afford

[SomebodySaveMe]

Excellent. I'm really looking forward to donating. Seems much better than doing a sodding shoebox!!

[WineGless]

Don't mention the shoe boxes! Corruption 😡

This is a special part of Christmas for me. I also joined in donating to refuge last year. There was a link to john Lewis to buy a gift for a child living in dv refuge

I am lucky enough to have food on the table and presents for my children. I want to give a little back to those who aren't so lucky this year

[SomebodySaveMe]

I'm currently miscarrying so distracting myself with finding good Xmas deeds to do.

I wanted to donate last year but we weren't in the position to do so. I now just need to find some way of giving to others for my nursery group to join in with!

[NorksAreMessy]

(((somebody)))
You are a truly lovely person

Karma knows this

[NewNames]

Yes, can we donate a voucher for a few quid? Or does it need to be substantial, like fifty quid?

[NorksAreMessy]

new the important thing is the love that goes with it, not the amount

[WineGless]

Somebody - didn't want to read and run. Thoughts and prayers with you tonight x

[SomebodySaveMe]

Thank you. I'm holding on to the thought that perhaps it wasn't a viable pregnancy and we can try again when we feel ready.

Is it best to donate vouchers? I imagine they'd be better so that recipients had a choice but does it look like I hadn't put any thought into it? I may possibly be over thinking this donating business!

[NorksAreMessy]

somebody vouchers are BRILLIANT. Or if you would like to then a tiny little present as well would be sweet (nice soap, little jewellery, small toy)
This is really one time where the thought GENUINELY does count.

[Slainte]

WineGless could you post a link to the refuge appeal or pm it to me if this isn't the appropriate thread to post this on. Thanks

[WineGless]

Slainte, it's not up and running yet but will post and pm when it is

[Slainte]

Thank you

[Spockster]

It's gift list 522953 at johnlewisgiftlist.com

[WineGless]

Thanks Spockster

[Spockster]

Is a plesh

[lisad123]

Wow another year nearly already. This always makes me smile, such a wonderful idea

[SomebodySaveMe]

Nominated and donated

[Slainte]

Thanks Spockster

[MOSagain]

(((somebody))) hope you are doing ok this morning x

[MNP]

Donated.

[Ilovemyteddy]

((( Somebody ))) thinking of you xx

I loved doing this last year - was the best thing I did, and my whole family got involved choosing and wrapping gifts for a lovely MNetter and her family.

Have offered to donate again this year and am looking forward to receiving details of this year's sponsoree (is that a word?)

to my fellow low-carbers on this thread