MN Christmas Appeal 2013

[SandyMumsnet]

Can you hear the faint tinkle of Santa's sleigh bells? Are you trying to remember where you stashed your fabulous reindeer jumper? [tchgrin]

Hurrah! That must mean Christmas is [ahem] just around the corner and the Mumsnet Christmas Appeal is gearing up for another year of festive generosity and merriment.

The MNers' heartfelt community spirit is being unleashed for the fourth year in-house. If you're new to the site or need to refresh you memory, please check out how this wonderful Secret Santa gift exchange came about. In short MNetters nominate a worthy recipient and also donate gifts to other MNetters in a HUGE anonymous Secret Santa.

And for those of you who like the sound of the whole thing and are keen to spread the Christmas cheer, here's how it all works.

So if you know of a MNer who could do with a bit of a boost, help towards making their Christmas more enjoyable, or is just particularly luffly, please go to our NOMINATION PAGE to tell us about them. You have until 15th October.

We'll then drop all the nominees a line to ask for their addresses, ages/sex of any DC along with any further family details they're happy to share. This information needs to be with us by 29th October.

If you'd like to add something special to a MNers' Christmas by donating a gift, thank you! Please go to our DONATION PAGE where you can tell us about the gift you'd like to pledge. We love vouchers because they're easier to match, but we'd be delighted with all sorts. Remember, nothing is too small. You have until 29th October.

By 22nd November we will be awash with Baileys The Christmas Spirit liquor, but will have matched up all the donations with the nominees and will send out a Secret Santa mail to the donators so all you lovely folk can get your parcels off 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.

Donators and nominees are given a code to quote if they want to say thank you to one another on the MN thank you thread following the gifts being sent out.

Any questions about the frankly terribly confusing process, please do ask, or take a look at our FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. [tchgrin] [tchgrin]

And so may MNHQ be the first to wish you a very Merry Christmas!

[Xmas2013SantaA2161]

Xmas2013MN2161 Just a little message to say that your parcel will be in the post towards the end of next week :D

[YankNCock]

I swore last year, that if our financial position was improved, I'd be a donor this year--and now I appear to have missed the cut-off! That will teach me to slack off on MNing.

We're not tons better off this year, but I could have managed something. To everyone who IS donating, can I just thank you in advance and say what a HUGE difference it made to our Christmas last year. The gifts for the boys were perfect, and meant DH and I didn't feel like the world's most crap parents for having hardly anything for them.

Will someone please poke me next year? I will have a look at that Refuge list at John Lewis this year.

[Xmas2013SantaA5024]

Gift posted ??

[Xmas2013MN2739]

Test

[MOSagain]

Oh dear. Having waited ages for my match, having got the details I'm completely clueless as to what to get. I normally choose gifts but think this year it might have to be vouchers

[MrsFlintLockwood]

bluechampagne yes you can send a message if you want, it can still be anonymous. In fact I found my card the other day that was in the package I received last year - it gave me the warm 'n' fuzzies all over again :)

[Xmas2013SantaA4511]

Dear Xmas2013MN4511

I am posting your gifts today with guaranteed delivery tomorrow, Thursday 5th December.

[Xmas2013MN4511]

Xmas2013SantaA4511 oooh thank you I shall pre-warn DH that those are meant for me and maybe tell MIL too, or she might send them back!

[XmasSantaA4220]

Hi recipient

Just posting to say don't think you've been forgotten, your gift will be with you, just awaiting a parcel to send on.

Merry Christmas!

[Xmas2013MN3482]

Checking nc, haven't changed in years!

[Xmas2013SantaA7270]

Hello Recipient MN7270,

just to let you know that your parcel will be in the post on Friday, sorry for the delay!

[FruOla]

Now we're at the stage of posting (and receiving) maybe it's best to post on this thread? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/Christmas/1882542-Christmas-Appeal-Thank-You-thread-2013?pg=1

[Xmas2013SantaA7270]

Thanks FruOla :)

[Xmas2013SantaA8275]

To recipient Xmas2013MN8275 - your gift is on its way by first class mail today. Hope it makes your Christmas extra special.

[SandyMumsnet]

@Xmas2013SantaA7270

Thanks FruOla :)

Yes, thanks FruOla

[cozietoesie]

I see the level on the brandy bottle is way way down!

[ClementineKelandra]

Hello, Is there a thank you thread up and running yet??

[cozietoesie]

There surely is, Clementine. \link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/Christmas/1882542-Christmas-Appeal-Thank-You-thread-2013?msgid=43491539\Here} it is - down the page a bit.

[Xmas2013SantaA6474]

Xmas2013MN6474 I hope to get your gift in the post on Monday. Hope this works time-wise for you as going to a c/o address (or is everyone a c/o address?).

[Xmas2013MN8616]

To the lovely MNer who sent me the chocs and the voucher, thank you very much xxxxx I'm really touched. It did make me laugh when I found the parcel in the garden addressed to the The Mumsnetter Of the House! I wonder what the postie thought. I know I was naughty and opened it before Christmas, but I needed some seasonal cheer, and got some. So thank you very much, you lovely lady :)

[Xmas2013MN8616]

Bugger. Wrong thread. Hold on....

[Xmas2013MN6233]

I'm so sorry it has taken me so long to post, I am up to my eyes in small and not so small children, moving and Christmas.

I have received a lovely wrapped package with lots of things in it, but I haven't opened them as I don't get Christmas presents for adults so they are the only surprises there will be in this house.

Id like to thank whoever nominated me and who sent me gifts.

2012 was the year from hell, literally - ending on a high with the birth of my youngest, 2013 started off as a year from hell, better than the year before but still a nightmare most people don't want to visit.

I was really touched to be nominated last year, it really lifted a dark, dark place, I was touched to be nominated again - I name change so often I was surprised anyone remembered me - next year I will contribute as well - I simply have't had a chance this year.

I am happy to say 2013 is ending on a huge high, I have made some difficult decisions, cut some people from our lives and moved to the house of my dreams.

The kindness of strangers and the people here, got me through the darkest place I have ever been, without it - and you - I am not sure I would be here posting this.

The MN secret santa is the epitomy of this and I am really thankful to have been thought of again.

Merry Christmas Everyone.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and unmumsnetty (hug hug hug hug hug hug hug hug hug hug hug hug)

[Xmas2013MN4975]

Just to say thankyou to whoever sent my book that arrived today.
Have not opened it, but will curl up and read it over the holiday season.
thankyou

My kids thought the label was really cool as they always accuse everybody on Mumsnet of being imaginary.

[cfc]

I am Xmas2013SantaA2213 and I wanted to tell XmasSantaMN2213 that your parcel will be on its way today by special delivery xxx