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Christmas

MN Christmas Appeal 2013

362 replies

SandyMumsnet · 01/10/2013 10:35

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!

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MrsDeVere · 03/10/2013 17:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JustasmallGless · 03/10/2013 17:47

THIS is what I love about Christmas. I did suggest after last years debacle that those who are nominated are aware of their number so that when the donators are looking to see if their parcel they have lovingly put together has arrived they know they haven't been missed out. I still don't know if the gift I sent arrived and if not I would have claimed from Royal Mail the feckers

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MurderOfBanshees · 03/10/2013 17:51

I do love this, really hope the nominations and gifts bring a smile to some MNers faces. God knows there's a lot who deserve it!

I will have to think a bit longer about whether I can donate, is there a cut off time to sign up?

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MurderOfBanshees · 03/10/2013 17:51

Ignore me, I should try reading the OP really Blush

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StarlightMcKenzie · 03/10/2013 17:56

If you want to know if a parcel has arrived you should send recorded. It's nice to have an acknowledgement but it should be an obligation.

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cakesonatrain · 03/10/2013 19:55

Ooh, I missed this last year, so glad to be aware in good time. Have nominated and donated :)

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JustasmallGless · 03/10/2013 21:16

Starlight, I appreciate what you are saying but there are nominees who come on every year who feel bad having to mention the fact their parcel hasn't arrived. It happens every year.
If the nominee knew their number from the start it might save the embarrassment of having to ask and appear grabbing/greedy, which they aren't but they are emotions which are expressed

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acsec · 03/10/2013 21:19

I really enjoyed being part of this last year :) So happy to be in it again!

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IwishIwasmoreorganised · 03/10/2013 21:25

It's the beginning of October and far too soon to be thinking about Christmas with only one exception - the MN Christmas Appeal Xmas Grin

I'd love to donate some vouchers to anyone - UK or overseas but I am technically inept.

How could I donate online vouchers to overseas MN'ers - which companies offer that?

I'll wait for a reply before posting on the Donation Page.

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jackstini · 03/10/2013 21:41

Now this means the Christmas season has begun! - done Smile

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Elsiequadrille · 03/10/2013 21:55

I've intended to do this every year, but have only now finally signed up to donate!

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Dontlookbehindyou · 03/10/2013 23:11

That's my nominations sent in, all very much deserving nice things for being lovely lovely people when I had a terrible time and was ridiculously poor.
Still not 100% back on track but were paying the rent and everyone gets to eat at every mealtime! (Whoot lol) going to discuss with Dh what we can manage to donate. I'll figure something out!
I can bake, would cookies work?

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SleepPleaseSleep · 04/10/2013 09:32

Sorry for being thick, say I'm abroad and would like to donate an online, amazon actually, gift voucher, do you send me a personal email address for a particular person when you've worked it all out? Or is there a central email address that can magically pass them on?
Any way I can stay anonymous while doing so? If I have to send it to a particular person, I can't see a way for that. Or has anyone got any better suggestions for online gift vouchers accessible from abroad that can remain anonymous?

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SleepPleaseSleep · 04/10/2013 09:48

Have just found email address to ask properly. Sorry. Thick and sleep deprived.

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SandyMumsnet · 04/10/2013 10:41

@MrsDeVere

What do you mean you don't have any control over the Post Office? Shock


Blush
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SandyMumsnet · 04/10/2013 10:49

@SleepPleaseSleep

Sorry for being thick, say I'm abroad and would like to donate an online, amazon actually, gift voucher, do you send me a personal email address for a particular person when you've worked it all out? Or is there a central email address that can magically pass them on?
Any way I can stay anonymous while doing so? If I have to send it to a particular person, I can't see a way for that. Or has anyone got any better suggestions for online gift vouchers accessible from abroad that can remain anonymous?


Hi SleepPleaseSleep
We email you a home address, and a MN code. Everyone stays completely anonymous.
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SandyMumsnet · 04/10/2013 10:51

@Dontlookbehindyou

That's my nominations sent in, all very much deserving nice things for being lovely lovely people when I had a terrible time and was ridiculously poor.
Still not 100% back on track but were paying the rent and everyone gets to eat at every mealtime! (Whoot lol) going to discuss with Dh what we can manage to donate. I'll figure something out!
I can bake, would cookies work?


Oh yeah! Sounds great, thank you!
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FairyJen · 04/10/2013 11:17

No control over Royal Mail?? Shock

Well I think that's mnhq's new year resolution sorted don't you? Grin

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WingDefence · 04/10/2013 11:45

I was shocked to be nominated last year and I'd not even heard of the appeal so I shall definitely be donating and nominating this year. Thanks

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flowery · 04/10/2013 12:03

I was also shocked and touched to be nominated last year so am paying it forward. Exciting!

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ScarerAndFuck · 04/10/2013 17:29

Can people sending just put an address on the gift, without a name or putting 'A Mumsnetter' on it?

Surely the post office can't argue with someone who has I.D for the address if there's no name on the parcel? Can they?

I've emailed them to ask.

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RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/10/2013 17:37

When I send Woolly Hugs wool out, if I don't have a proper name, that's exactly what i do.

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RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/10/2013 17:38

for that reason, sorry, went too soon there, then folk can just use proof of address

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RibenaFiend · 04/10/2013 18:11

YAY!!! My favourite!!!

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FruOla · 04/10/2013 18:51

"Can people sending just put an address on the gift, without a name or putting 'A Mumsnetter' on it?"

"Surely the post office can't argue with someone who has I.D for the address if there's no name on the parcel? Can they?"

That sounds like a good idea Smile

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