*************************Mumsnet Christmas Appeal 2006***********************************

[soapbox]

I thought I had better start a new thread in case the old one falls over at 1000 posts.

First of all I would like to say a big thank you to all those who have helped make this a huge success Thanks to all of you, life will be a little bit easier for some of our MNetters this year!

Firstly all of the MNetters - without you this would only have been a pipe dream! Givers and receivers - all take a bow

Then the corporates:
GLTC - for going well beyond the call of duty
Hazell -www.verko.co.uk- for her most generous offer of christmas trees - I hope you join in and make some new friends here
Great expectations - a lovely company with wonderful fairtraded toys and again help beyond what was expected.
LCC - to Jaysmummy for her crafty goodies and warm hearted support
www.thesweetiestop.co.uk - for their generous support

And of course it goes almost without saying, MNHQ!

**

How it works:

You email me:

[email protected]

as a giver or receiver. If a receiver I will ask for a bit more information to find a good match for you. If a giver I will find someone for you to send your gift to.

All matches to be done by 30 November (did I really promise that)

All gifts to be posted by 15 December (at the latest).

Logged on this morning to find I had been matched - HOW EXCITING!!!

This is just great.

Much love to Soupy, who I have soo much admiration for.

Found it even more touching that my match and my dd have the same name

I was going to wrap but drop in a short note to the mum to say what it is. That will be OK won't it?

Fine Mascara x

soapbox said...

"to cut down the time of sending emails - being worried that I would never ever get to the end of matching - I put all of the details into a standard response for each family - so if you are matched to that family you get all of the family details

Your gift should match up to one of the family though - or at least that was the plan - so choose the one you think it matches to best"

So if... um... hypothetically a MNetter said that she would buy stuff new because didn't have things on hand to send, and has got an email from soapy with a family with two children, does that mean that that MNetter should actually only be buying for one of those children because someone else has got the other one, or should she be buying for both? Because if she buys for both (which is what she'd started doing) and someone else is already sending stuff for one then one of the kids is going to end up with twice as much stuff as the other, but if she's only actually been matched with one of the kids then she has no means of knowing which one. Hypothetically, of course...

theres an idea MOH, I worry about not putting enough paper in the parcel otehrwise. was going to put a little note to mum in anywasy with a chistmas card as well.

message to thread : STOP MAKING ME CRY!!

I don't do crying and this is turning me into a jibbering wreck!

Munz, exactly what I was planning to do - short note/card wrapped gift..

MOM! i'm focused on the giving bit now cos if I think about what we're doing etc i'll end up a blubbering wreck as well! lol. so just thinking about the posting out and trying to keep pratical! lol.

Cheap courier service for people posting

Munz, I;m not in a position to help i can't even afford a stamp at mo! The fact that that doesn't matter and i don't have to give to recieve is making me blub....its hard for me to accept kindness is unconditional

Remember the conv last night though MoM - we are all stunned at the generosity, but when you look at yourself, as "Would I give lots to people I haven't met if I could afford to?" My answer was an instant yes.

i already have a few things i can send next year, my charity shop doesn't accept childrens toys ....???!

Charliecat- brilliant link

Will be most helpful for people with bulky stuff to send - and guy has excellent feedback too!

Lemonaid - if people get a family of more than one child just let me know which one you have bought for Most families will be getting at least one small toy voucher so Mum can even it up too once she gets all her gifts in

It isn't possible to be completely fair as lots of people offered 'a gift' or 'a vouvher' but I have no way of knowing what amount that represents.

I'm sticking with the thought expressed so often on this thread from those that are receiving, that it is as much about the fact that someone offered to send them something, than the value of that item

MOM I am like you and am finding it quite difficult to accept someone would give up time and effort for ym family...it is not something we are used to!!!

Soapy you are really are fab.

I just had to copy this over from the thank you thread - from Sockmonkey

'To those who have given:
Helping others is like wetting your pants, people can see what you have done, but only you get the warm feeling

I hope you all feel like you have wet your pants'

Although - it isn't quite true - I think everyone is getting a collective warm feeling at the moment

LOL.. brill

Hi Soapy,
Sorry to be impatient but I'm still waiting to find out where to send my gifts. Want to be organised in case my twins decide not to stay inside till xmas!

anothersantaforJARM - haven't got your CAT, please send again. Thanks

JARM check your inbox XX

have replied spooky xxx

sent one to you too yetanother xxx

anothersantaforJARM - got it now, thanks.

JARM - it was another santa who needed to CAT me. Got yours too though

It's all getting very confusing!

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

So sorry.

Im having a "moment"

I cant believe so many of you have been matched to me and my gorgeous girls.

I want ALL OF YOU to email me your name and address in order I can send out a lovely (well okish) handmade xmas card. PLEASE just let me do that in return.

I LOVE YOU ALL xxx

Does anyone know a cheap way of getting a package which is (just) too big for Royal Mail "small packets" to the Republic of Ireland?

Lunar - check out ebay. The guys doing the UK delivery for £3.99 are also doingdrop abraod i think x