*************************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).

neither do i fm,

i have the dd3 has the set on the bottom row it looks great.

sister of soapbox - sure that's fine .... we're very laid back here in the Tinsel Mines .... I'm writing this wearing a pair of reindeer antlers and a feather boa ..... we're counting the days till New Year's Eve when the madness ends for another year......

I've just posted a box to my match person

i just want to say that as a receiver, i am eternally grateful for all the help you are giving me and my son, and that i am aware that it is because you want to help....some people disagree with helping people in need......such a shame because karma comes back around

I have someone to send to and don't know what to put in!I am assuming it is for the kids and I have their ages.Can someone give me some hints about what sort of things we should send?The other thread is so un-christmassy but I don't think this appeal is the same as just sending off cash.I hope people stop posting on it soon adn let it go

The charity thread is also making me feel very sad. I know people are entitled to their opinions but it hurts. I know that I myself and the other receivers on this thread have for the most part had a shit year. I cannot thank everyone enough for their kindness.

Can I just say that I have worked for charities including macmillan and homestart in the past, and there was always had someone saying that our recipients weren't in need because the mums could get help somewhere else, or should learn to cope, or our cancer patints coulg get help elsewhere- anybody who worked in the field knew how much it took for people to ask.

please rest assured none of us here are judging you. we do it purely because we want to.

Homestart are marvelous I would be lost without them. When my kids are a bit older I will do the course and give back what I have received iyswim.

Mummyhill, you will be treasured for it. many of our best volunteers (I was Organiser) were ex famillies.

The scheme I worked for had to make all but one person redundant as they couldn't get donations

In response to the other thread.

All those who are sending to me this year, if there is any doubt about who you are sending to, then please dont bother.

I would rather have a crap xmas than be thought of badly on MN.

MN is a place I come to let off steam, gain advice and help others where possible. I love MN as a whole, but the thread has left a very bitter taste in my mouth.

So, to my givers, please dont feel you HAVE to, or if you agree with cod that I am maybe getting more than I should, please send to someone else more deserving.

I thank you x

oh fgs jarm dont be like that

no one thinks ill of you

x

lets not bring that thread over to this one........just report what you dont like and leave this one with all the pleasent messages

Awww JARM.You deserve lots of gifts for your girls. For me Its so nice to have someone thinking about my DC this time of year when things have been tough or us and still are.

JARM you are not my match (obviously) but I just wanted to say that I am choosing to give not being made to and just because some people like to look for bad in everything it doesnt mean we should allow them to drag us into their cold heart.

No-one thinks badly of you or any one else who needs a bit of temporary help at this particular time.

JARM I think that post is out of order.

Obviously the people who have given have done so because they want to and you should accept their kindness with good grace and reserve your anger for others.

I really don't think that thre is any need for the thread in chat to spill over into this threa IMVHO they are two completely different issues.

JARM - Cod never ever said you were getting more than you should did she??
If she did, she is out of order and I missed it.
Please don?t let the other thread upset you. You sound such a lovely person.
I can see Cod?d point in there somewhere but not for a minute to I think that the Christmas thread is anything less than wonderful and , well, just so Christmassy spirited. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Soapbox, I've been matched twice, which is fine, I will send 2 lots but just to let you know. Maybe I sent you 2 emails, one to each address? Anyway, it's fine, I have enough stuff to send but just thought I'd let you know.

I bought some extra whoopee cushions when Christmas shopping today as there are small boys on my lists!

Look - let's not all get our collective knickers in a twist

Some people give to charity, some people don't. It is as simple as that.

WWW - I'm sorry - I doubled up on about a dozen givers last night when I was starting to get pretty tired!

I'll reallocate the second family

I havent read the other thread not seen it yet but by the sound of it I dont think I want to.

I typed loads more but have deleted it, the givers here are giving because they WANT to, so I say ignore anything that is said and enjoy your christmas you deserve it, that is what soapy is working her arse off for!!

As you know, i'm not a MNetter, I joined in because i wanted to contribute to what Christmas should all be about - caring a giving. Maybe we should revisit what all this was about - people helping other people. Everything has been done voluntarily, no one has been co-erced into participating. And as Soapbox will tell you - she is merely the facilitator of the list to put people in touch with each other. This is really what it is all about and at the end of the day it is about making some child's Christmas a good one. JARM please don't let others take away all the goodness that has been generated, like you said - you are a regular on MN, this year it is your turn to require some help, next year you can return the kindness shown to another family when they most need that help.

So can we all get back to the "nice warm feelings" and "excitement" and keep the focus on the children and how they will benefit.

hear hear, lets remember the children. Kids are fab

No! Don't reallocate them because

a) I've printed the emails with addresses
b) I have 2 fairy dresses dd doesn't want/hasn't worn
c) I bought 2 whoopee cushions today
d) ds has found a soft unopened football and pack of cards in his room
e) it's more work for you and I'm utterly happy to send this stuff

so there!