******************Important thread - please read - EVERYONE********************

[soapbox]

OK!

I'm distressed reading about those of you who are worried sick about Christmas and having no money to buy things for your children!

Rather than sit of my ample backside and do nothing I have the following proposal to make.

Those of you who have old toys/gifts which are in good condition, or who are willing to buy a new gift for a child can register your contributions with me.

Those of you who are down on your uppers can send me your details - name, address, age and gender of children, what kind of things they like!

Those lovely MN who will send me Christmassy things will be matched up with those people who would like a bit of a hand with Christmas.

Those giving pressies will wrap the pressie and label it 'To XXX from Santa', and then send it to the address given to them.

If people receiving presents want to remain anonymous then I can ask people to send their contributions to me, and I will forward them onto the gift receiver, I will bear the postage cost of the onwards posting!

If people want to help, but have no toys etc to do so, then a small amount on a gift voucher for woolies, argos or the like can be sent instead!

Please post on this thread whether you think it is a winger - if we get at least 10 givers and 10 receivers then I will go ahead with it, and will post my email address to start the ball rolling!

Receivors must be regular MNetters, in case we are deluged from other sites

So it is over to you guys - good idea or not???

What a wonderful group of people you all are.
I have mailed you soapbox

I think I saw amongst the masses of posts on here that Soapbox is actually away this weekend, no doubt getting her head around this mammouth task she's undertaking!

Don't know how I have missed this, although I am new, I am a top lurker (sorry Soapy will try harder with the posting). I would love to send someone a voucher/gift. Will email you on Mon when you are back. Have a good break!

bananaknickers...you sound so lovely...you deserve a wonderful christmas!

things that go BUMP in the night

soapbox1964 at yahoo dot co dot uk

.

the email again soapbox1964 at yahoo dot co dot uk

and remember soapy's away for the w/e.

I think we need an emoticon for crying!

Wonderful idea - I haved e-mailed and will e-mail later with the things I can give.

Happy to help with admin/deliveries as well - I'm in London SW19.

my e mails are being returned Soapbox - is your mail box full at the moment perhaps.
I've been using soapbox1964 at yahoo dot com.

My e-mails are being bounced back too.

soapbox - want to help. My e-mail is claire(dot)king13(at)btinternet(dot)com

it's co.uk not com!

email soapbox1964 at yahoo dot co dot uk
Not dot com, as originally posted.
HTH

.

bumping while its quiet (more lurkers maybe??)

thanks Jelley

Do MN have any awards, because soapbox really, REALLY deserves one!

Hello to all of you.

How fantastic for everyone to do this.

soapbox you are truely amazing for starting this thread.

Did you ever think it would get so big????

I have loads of bits that'd make great stocking fillers.

Will sort out what i have and let you know.

For anyone who's shy about being a receiver, please don't be, It's so lovely to be able to bring a smile to a childs face.

That's what christmas is for.

hi kept meaning to add to this thread, I think it's a wonderful idea and soapy you are an angel.

I'm going to be "neutral" this year things are very tight with us just now but I've managed to get a Saturday job which will pay for the DDs presents this year so it would be very unfair to nominate them as receivers but I can't streatch to being a giver this year, hopefully next year I will be in a better position to give something.

All you givers are fantastic and I think it's such a brilliant idea to help other people struggling at Christmas, well done you wonderful mumsnetters

Have sent an email as I hadn't received a giver email and think I might have been overlooked in the deluge

just read this and emailed you to send something soapy

I'm packing a parcel tonight and if any receivers are in any doubt, it is definitely not a one way street.
I have had horrendous toothache all week and thinking I might be able to brighten someone's Christmas has really helped distract me and cheer me up.

I'm just back - need to get the children packed off to bed and then spend a little bit of time with DH, as he has been a bit neglected of late

I'll pick all of this up tomorrow - but probably not until evening time - as I'm on a course at work all day tomorrow

I've got a fairly big stack of new emails to get through - so it might take me a little bit of time to get back to everyone! Thank you so much for all teh offers of help that are still flooding in! I think it is going to be a good Christmas - maybe even a great one - for many families this year

Thanks to all who answered questions in my absence - and directed people to my correct email address!

soapbox1964 at yahoo dot co dot uk

Camomile - I'm glad we all managed to divert you from your toothache, but poor you