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!

I'm not desperate to tell them, Katy, I just wondered, and thought it would be nice.

Sparkling that's a nice way to look at it. I have to confess to not having donated but I can't afford it. I think it goes beyond the financial situation of the individual too - I have nominated two people for reasons that are nothing to do with that but simply because they have both done some lovely stuff and I'd want to buy them a present IRL if I could.
I feel bad at not having donated, however I know I will get a few early Xmas presents and I will be putting the majority of those in a box for the local homeless shelter and hope that they are appreciated.

Yes, that's it Katy they could be millionaires but have given kind, lovely advice etc.

it isn't always because they are having a rough time that they are nominated.

" I was matched with someone (whom I have never heard of despite being on her for years"

I didn't think donors got told the MN nickname of the person they sent to?

They don't. But the recipient may post on the thank you thread in their own name.

Actually just reading that post, she says there was no thank you, so Im as confused as you are!

Just because you haven't heard of them doesn't mean they aren't deserving. I have so many topics hidden. I would have no idea who is an all round great person in Relationships/Breastfeeding/Special Needs for example.

Ragwort you didn't also send a book did you? because if you did, that was me. And I did post a thank you, but that thank you was never acknowledged.

Aw, please don't start complaining about the Christmas Appeal. It's a lovely thing, and an opportunity for people to help others and thank others.

If you don't want to take part, there is no obligation.

My thoughts exactly BIWI. When I donated for the first time last year I didn't even know there would be a thank you thread.

Please don't let everyone lose sight of what it's all about.

The thank you thread also serves to let the sender know the parcel has arrived. If you don't get a thank you you also don't know if the parcel has been lost/stolen so you are left feeling a bit fed up as it might have been a stretch to donate and then it could have been wasted if the person never got it.

I hope I didn't come across as complaining about it, it wasn't my intention if I did.

Solo - no, I didn't send a book .

I think Mrs DeVere's comment is right, and something I should bear in mind - it is more of a 'secret santa' than a charity appeal. And although we shouldn't expect a thank you, as MissStrawberry says, it is nice to know if something has arrived.

Have made my nomination

Oh yes, nice to get a thank you-but the good bit is getting it together and sending it really.

I don't know why everyone's so hung yp on the acknowledgement.
I didn't get one last year, but then, I might have been thanked by someone who couldn't remember tgeir number, pr not thanked at all.
you know what? I don't care. I hope that the person liked the gift, and hope that they received it, but tjanks aren't necessary in an anonymous gift exchange.

Lovely.

mulled Christmas and

I agree nickel.
With Christmas coming does that mean your beautiful baby daughter will be two?

Nickel

But acknowledgement allows the poster the know that the gift was received - it isnt about the thank you.

I have 'donated' for a couple of years now - last year was the first time I did not receive any acknowledgement and to be honest it felt shit not knowing if it was received.

What would you do if you knew the gift hadn't been received though? If you are worried send it Recorded/Signed for.

It isn't about acknowledgement and bully for you for not being bothered. It is about knowing it has arrived and not being nicked.

I sent one year. Didn't get any message. Felt like it wasn't good enough. Maybe it was nicked. Who knows but it made me feel crap as I couldn't afford much.

Why should it have been nicked though MissS?

Because sometimes that happens when you post things.

I have had things I have posted stolen and had things delivered to me taken too.

You need to send them 'Signed for' then MissS.

Yes definitely signed for, you can then track too. Easily done. Peace of mind.

The Christmas Appeal is absolutely lovely, magic. Have donated, and thinking about nominations. Like to do the same of each iyswim.

And I love organising a present for a Mumsnetter that I don't know, but that someone else has thought of and nominated for whatever reason. Very special thing to do. The spirit of Christmas.