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

Bump

Soapbox1964 at yahoo dot co dot uk

Just dashing through - off to lunch now

WOW! WOW! WOW! is all I can say! If you could see the emails building up in my inbox, you would be amazed!

This is going to be one faberooni Christmas where we can all delight in the giving and receiving of gifts!

BUT - WE NEED MORE NOMINATIONS FOR THOSE THAT NEED A TINY BIT OF HELP! SO GET BUSY!

Sorry Blu - I was making it up as I went along in my original post, which is somewhat confusing

So, unless the recipient wishes to remain completely anonymous, then everything will be sent directly to the recipient.

NEXT STEPS - [assuming I get MNHQ go ahead]

Anyone who can send gifts or who wishes to receive them (or nominations) must reach me by 24th November. I will respond with a standard short email requesting more details.

I will draw up a mahoosive spreadsheet to match givers and receivers and will email details to the givers by the 29th November.

If you are asked to send to me, then you will need to do so by 8th December. If asked to send directly to the recipient then you must do so by 15th December.

Does that sound reasonable?

A reminder of my email address :

joycemgrant at yahoo dot co dot uk [NOT COM***]

Lemonaid - I have a few requests already - but would like to spread the Christmas cheer as far and wide as possible!

So don't be shy!

And nominations are welcome!

And I promise I will never, ever, ever break the confidences of those that email me asking for a bit of help

Can I join as a reciever? I'm failing fairly spectacularly at the whole Christmas thing this year...

This is such a lovely idea, soapbox

My mum is even talking about seeing if she has anything she can donate

pride aside i have nominated my little boy as a gift reciever... ....you really have no idea what your help means to me mumsnetters....
am all teary over here sob

Soapbox, this is a fabulous idea. Really in the spirit of MN and Christmas. Will contribute a voucher if that's ok, would toy or food be best, anyone?

Will email you soapbox.

Soapy another idea would be, if you find you are getting, among your requests of what particular children like, items that are not being offered, then you could put a list on this thread (or any subsequent threads as I feel that this will get rather long! ).. and then those that want to/are able to buy a gift to contribute, can choose something off the list )and email you telling you).. and then you can email them with the details of where to send it. And take it off the WANTED list!

Can all be anonymous. And senders don't need to add their names. All the recipient will have is a postmark as identification.

This really IS what Christmas is all about, for those of us who have been having a great deal of trouble getting into the spirit of it for whatever reason.

Could be a regularly thing (not nec. always run by poor Soapbox of course)..and then those who were financially in need one year and who find themselves better of another year can return the favour.

It takes a hell of a lot to swallow the pride doesn't faeriemum? I added myself to the receiving list at the beginning but it was hard to do - no idea why though because I don't think anything bad of those needing to ask, so why do we feel bad asking???

i know flamesparrow....i hate it when someone doesnt ask for help when they are in need...i always try to do the best i can for there situation.....this is the first time i've admitted to failing this christmas......i cried abit.....but feel relieved that i am not alone.

i will start putting 50p a week away starting in january!

Would love to help, as have been moved by some mners' stories. Will email.

okay, i know that This Morning does a thing like this every year and i always end off buying something for a 13 year-old boy as they seem to run short of those kind of things...
so
are there any holes in the system so far?
do you need contributions to a postage fund?

I am going to look through our things tonight and will email xxGreat idea soapbox

I can donate a voucher so someone can buy their lo something from them. If thats ok.

Hi soapbox, think this is a great idea & have just emailed you x

Is it just me or is the email address not working?
My email to [email protected] keeps coming back undelivered. Have I got the address wrong?

i have her email addy as joycemgrant at yahoo dot co dot uk

soapbox1964

It's soapbox1964 that's why lazycow. Or the joyce one presumably..

Thanks

Message withdrawn

what a great idea, -will email you. x

I will contribute, will prob pick up a voucher next time im in Argos/Woolies,will email you now soapbox, lovely idea

got stuff
will email

FABULOUS idea!!!!