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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!

OP posts:
FruOla · 04/10/2013 18:56

BTW, that wasn't a P/A smile (Blush)

(why do some people think the Smile is P/A anyway? Confused)

I mean that is a good idea! Just send to the address, without a name.

ScarerAndFuck · 04/10/2013 19:20

I know it wasn't Grin. Grins are fine I hope. I think it's usually only seen as P / A if it's accompanied by a 'dear' and/or a HTH at the end.

elfycat · 04/10/2013 20:22

Does anyone know how the post feels about 'To the Occupier/MN'?

Then the recipient will see the MN and know but the PO should be happy with address as proof should be...

MissStrawberry · 04/10/2013 21:33

The thank you thread is lovely but maybe it should be part of the deal that the recipient lets MNHQ know that the parcel has arrived. That way if for whatever reason the recipient does not want to post on the thread they have at least told MNHQ it has arrived and MNHQ can let the sender know. Making it registered adds to the cost and not everyone to afford that on top of the gift and normal postage.

I offered to donate one year then had a panic as I had 4 to buy for and I wasn't expecting that so I could only send small things. I didn't get a message to say it had arrived never mind a thank you and it made me feel crap tbh that what I had sent wasn't enough.

ClaudiaCMitts · 04/10/2013 21:44

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Sparklingbrook · 04/10/2013 21:45

Spambot reported.

AmberLeaf · 05/10/2013 11:45

I get what people are saying about the 'size' of gifts sent.

Year before last I donated, last year I offered to, but then my tumble dryer broke and I had to pull out as due to having to replace it I wouldn't be able to afford the secret santa gifts.

I didn't feel a small token thing would be 'enough' after reading about some of the amazing stuff some people have been able to donate.

I like timidvipers suggestion about small token lovely things for people who get nominated just for being 'Luffly' and the more helpful life/day saving stuff for those who really need it.

MNHQ if I can't manage to donate this year, is it ok to nominate still?

nickelbabe · 05/10/2013 13:23

"recorded signed for" costs about £1 more to post than normal post (I've just checked and even for a 1kg parcel, it's £1.20 more)

and if you send it through a courier (eg Hermes who are currently the cheapest), they sign for it.

that's one way to keep track if you're worried.
I would always recommend sending vouchers signed for.

FCEK · 05/10/2013 15:46

What if you have a friend you know uses MN but you don't know their username or login details to nominate?

Also can people nominate themselves, like before?

KatyPutTheCuttleOn · 05/10/2013 16:15

I don't think people should be able to nominate themselves, IMO that is akin to asking for presents and is rude.

Sparklingbrook · 05/10/2013 16:17

Do people really nominate themselves? Shock

Solo · 05/10/2013 16:28

I nominated my children one year Blush. I had nothing much to give them (Had spent £10 in a charity shop for them both) and just asked for something small for them. MNHQ told me not to worry, that I had been nominated already.
If people that have nothing feel that they can't ask for their Dc's to have a little something...well, that's just a little sad :(

KatyPutTheCuttleOn · 05/10/2013 17:13

I think it is fine to nominate your children, I can understand why people do that as I've had to buy Xmas presents at charity shops in the past when I've had little money (not now, in the past) and would have done just about anything to make sure they had Xmas presents. I wouldn't do it but I think it is understandable really. Just not nominating yourself.

Sparklingbrook · 05/10/2013 17:16

Oh I see-for your DC. Nothing wrong with that.

I was thinking adults. Sorry.

Solo · 05/10/2013 17:21

I wouldn't nominate myself.

A few years ago, I got a voucher through for all of us, but I spent it all on the Dc's. Last year, I got gifts but the Dc's did not. I was very grateful, but I did feel guilty that the kids hadn't got a surprise gift. Ds noticed, Dd did not. As I said to Ds, it's not an entitlement.

KatyPutTheCuttleOn · 05/10/2013 17:28

I would have felt guilty as well. I'd be mortified if I was nominated and somebody sent something for me instead of something for the DCs. I would be mortified to be nominated anyway to be honest.

moldingsunbeams · 05/10/2013 18:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

THERhubarb · 05/10/2013 21:04

Can I just make a quick request that people don't forget the local homeless shelters? Many of them do Christmas lunches and are very grateful for donations no matter how small. Also Women's Refuge also need donations and if you can't find details of your local one then the Samaritan's Army take donations and they give them to local families they feel are in need. So please, don't forget those local families who may not be Mumsnetters but are in real need this Christmas. This government has managed to ensure that so many more families are in poverty and Christmas is an especially hard time for them. Even if all you can give is a bar of chocolate, trust me, it will be gratefully received by someone.

cakesonatrain · 05/10/2013 23:02

I have a question.
Do the nominees get told why they've been nominated?

Solo · 06/10/2013 01:16

No they don't cakes.

KatyPutTheCuttleOn · 06/10/2013 06:35

I think it'd be quite nice to know why you were nominated. I have nominated two people and I hoped that they would get to see why they were nominated.
Do we get to know if the people we have nominated have been picked?

cakesonatrain · 06/10/2013 07:26

Yes, I was thinking it would be nice if the nominees got told "you've been nominated for being generally fab" or "some people have noticed that you're having a tough time and think you deserve a treat" or something similar and non-patronising!

KatyPutTheCuttleOn · 06/10/2013 07:47

Well, how about you PM a different Mumsnetter and tell them why you nominated X and then they can tell them on your behalf without them knowing who nominated them?

Ragwort · 06/10/2013 09:07

I would echo THERhubarb's post (I have been agreeing with her for about 12 years Grin). I prefer to support my local women's refuge and homeless centre as I feel a bit uneasy about the Mumsnet Christmas gift thread.

I misunderstood it last year as I thought you gave to the person you nominated but I was matched with someone (whom I have never heard of despite being on her for years Grin). I sent a modest gift - £10 M & S voucher & chocolates but it was never acknowledged. Yes, I KNOW you don't do this for a 'thank you' but it would have been nice.

Equally I sometimes see people receiving gifts then boasting on another thread about buying mobile phones or other expensive gifts for their own children at Christmas Hmm. I would much rather a 'general' Mumsnet appeal to support a specific cause that is in tune with Mumsnet ideals & values (whatever that might be Grin).

Sparklingbrook · 06/10/2013 09:13

I nominate and donate. I know that my donation doesn't go to that person, but it helps to imagine it does IYSWIM-even though someone else sent it.

I have no idea of the financial status of anyone I nominate. I don't think that's the point really.