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

Soapy, thanks for the match. Have emailed you re:delivery as have rels in the area so could do presonal drop-off. This would remove anonymity though, so hoping you would know whether it was appropriate/appreciated. Keep up the good work!!

Hiya Everyone, i'm Soapbox's sister IRL and I have a question for you all. Are there any members in Australia who are doing a similar thing - i have people that i know there who would like to help out if you are but they are too shy to post on here. Let me know and i'll link you up to them.

Hazel, I was the one who emailed you this morning, thank you so much for your generosity - you've made a number of people very happy this Christmas.

Glad to be on board and be a part of this.

Only grinning because there isn't a crying with happiness emoticon.

So many people to thank...hazell, soapboxes sisters, and all the amazing donators.

Hi Sis of Soapy!

Thank you so so so much of everything you are doing to help us all. You really have no idea how much this means to so many of us.

Just wish I could help a little but it is beyond me .

hello sister of soapbox. no australian people from me but just wanted to say well done

Soapbox frantically searches the archives to see whether I've posted any moaning about sister threads

I just received a lovely message from soapy and am sat here crying.

Thank you so much for organising this you realy are a star.

Huge thanks to everyone else involved MNHQ, GLT, Great Expectations, Hazell, sisterofsoapbox and all the wonderful mumsnetters who have donated time and parcels.

hi soapysis!

i've got family and friends in NZ and Sydney who am sure would love to get involved.

they'd prob all be on the giver list. Having said that if it got off the ground in Aus I'd nominate my sis coz she's been a tower of strength to me over the last 18 months.

oh and thanks for getting involved and making this so fantastic!

This thread just brightens my day every time I read it, truly wonderful

Just wanted to add my bit on the "pay-back" issue, people being embarrassed that they can't reciprocate. Well let me tell you, many people on here may be well off, many in financial dire straights, some have problems with behaviour, others have "perfect" children. We all have different needs which we can help each other with. So all of you who feel embarrassed to receive financial assistance, don't be. You've in return given priceless advice to no end of people, support, inspiration, a laugh.

Hope you understand what I'm saying. Keep feeling all emotional. Really looking forward to getting my nominated family so I can find some lovely things to send.

Well - just when you think things couldn't possibly get any better

The lovely *GLTC) has done something this morning that I am not allowed to talk about on here! They have secured some assistance in terms of helping to make this all work more smoothly! Especially for me

I won't mention his name, in case he is shy, but let's just say he gets my 'Man of the Christmas Appeal Award'

I wonder if he's married - I'm in the swing of all this matching up now - maybe a dating agency should be my next project

Fantastic news soapy - dying to know what, but really really pleased you are getting some assistance xxxx

lol Soapy - it's a new calling for you

Emailed a load of delivery companies - gave both your email soapy and mine... I have just spotted I left off the bloody word "hundred" though, so have us down as "several thousand members" oh arse!

[Is nobody else laughing about JARM's Bushy Thing which is Far Too Big to Get Out This Year??? ]

Coppertop, thank you

Hazell, you are star!

Soapy'sSis.. you are fab.. obviously a family trait!

great news! ...not sure what news it is, but its great!

Posey - what a wonderful message!

who or what is a gltc????

Great Little Trading Company - link at top of the mumsnet page

aha now i know. ty x

I've sent my parcel this morning. I really hope the family who receives it finds it helps them enjoy Christmas.

Every item was sent with love.

My children knew the names of the children they were sending to and couldn't wait to rush upstairs and find things to add to the parcel.

Whoever recives it, I will raise a glass to you on Christmas morning and be thinking of your family. xx

Just to let you know that Jayzmummy from Little Cottage Crafts has emailed me to offer to send out some crafty gifts to some of our receivers

Well done JM

Emmatom - that was a beautiful post and now I'm all teary again

YAY for JM (i want some of those!!) Only joking, Im happy with whatever I recieve as it is one less thing to worry about!!

WTG Soapy - you are doing SO well xxx

emmatom - you bugga you got me crying

Eek, how have I missed this thread???

Soapbox, will email you now - am more than happy to send something. Hope I'm not too late...

not sure of the protocol of Mumsnet but we'd like to offer your members a 10% if they mention Mumsnet when they order. We have two companies, the party novelty company and another selling modern shopping trolleys and funky walking sticks for people who need a little help but want to remain stylish. Am I able to do this and give out our web addresses or is this frowned on?