******************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???

I possibly sent the same email twice!

Amazing aren't they?

Lockets - that is extremely generous - but why don't you see if it sells first - there are a lot of people contributing so we can spread the load quite well IYSWIM

Anyway, I need some mat clothes for a mum to be - youngish stuff would be nice - size 10-12. If anyone can help can you email me -

soapbox1964 at yahoo dot co dot uk

Thanks

Mustrunmore - off to check

Soapbox - I have a size 12 long denim maternity skirt, but it comes up quite big. Am happy to donate it if it will be of any use. (Was keeping hold of it for number 3 one day but after being on the recievers list, its the least i could do)

Soapy could you use a hand with the organising? i fee gulty as i can't offer anything but would really like to help in anyway i can.

maybe you could forward some emails and i could help match givers to recievers?

really want to contribute in some way

Great JARM- I'll check with the mum and see if it is likely to fit

Message for BLUESKY - please could you email me again - I can't get a reply back to you

FM - thanks for the offer of help - it is so kind of you!

TBH though, I'm at that point where if I try to hand any of it over to someone else, I'm terrified it will all go tits up

I know what I am doing, but so much of it is in my head now!

My darling sister is designing a flashy spread sheet for me to do the matching so that should make life a lot easier

If I do need help, I promise I'll be in touch

soapy - every time i try to open your email it crashes my internet explorer. are you on msn?

Jampots - are you using the dot co dot uk addy, not the dot com?

Or try

joycemgrant at yahoo dot co dot uk

Jxx

i thinkits my btinternet mailbox thats the prob but ive emailed you on the last address from another email account.

Okay - everyone who has offered to help should have received an email from me.

If you have volunteered and not heard back from me, then please email me with your MN name and 'overlooked giver' in the subject field!

Thanks again for all your help

Will spend tomorrow night sorting out the nominations side of things!

No rest for the wicked - I must have been really bad

Dior - recycled toys are very welcome

I have lots of clothes and toys - will so a sort tomorrow.

Can we include little things for mums too?

Have emailed you Soapy, have a 10 pound argos voucher to give to someone.

Just love this being on active convs

bump

emailed you soapbox...

I haven't heard from you soapbox, but perhaps the limited amount I was able to offer isn't needed?

Bump

soapy - I have some 3/4 lenght mat trousers if they're any good, I did get them 2nd hand but they're fabby condition and I didn't wear them (issues on my thunder thighs! lol) anyhow i'm pretty sure they're a 12, they look small thou so if they're a 14 they'll prob still fit. apart from that the tops I had are 14's possibly one 12 but that was my fave so well worn and bobbly still let me know on the jeans and I'll get DH up in the attic! how about clothes for the baby? - I can thin out J's baby bit's a little again - we have 2 massive box fulls - the removal ones, and we're only on the 6-9 clothes! lol. mostly boy's as I think I gave a lot of his unisex away but can look.

Munz - those jeans sound great - can you email me please?

Dumblesdore - definititely seen your email - will have a look for it again this evening. Thought I had replied, but will check!

Off to course again in 2 minutes - but please try and keep this thread bumped up

hi, i'm new to this site as just found out i'm pregnant. I already have a two year old who thanks to many aunts, uncles and grandparents has more than enough toys. I have a Mr Potato Head (2+) and a Little Tikes discover sounds Hammer (6m-3) both brand new and boxed. Ive been sitting in tears reading some of these threads. How can I send these to someone who needs them?.

soapbox - have e-mailed you with a lit of girl's clothes mainly aged 3-5 years inc a coat, a list of games/puzzles and a couple of other bits. If any use, happy to send to more than oene person.

have emailed soupy, sorry I got a bit teary again - damn hormones lol.
can we have a group hug (((hugs)))
you're all such wonderful caring people. this really has made me realise how lucky DH and I are, we haven't got much but least we have each other and food on the table (even if we're having caster suger cos the normal one's run out! lol). least we have that.

thank you everyone this really is fab

everytime I look at this thread I want to cry..mostly due to the generosity of people and also the mner who just needed a winter coat for her DD. Also in frustration though that I cant really give anything but am more than willing to help...just dont know how!!