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

soapy do we put our mn names in with the parcel?
or is it a secret?

CD - it is optional; up to you.

ok

Am all excited now I know who mine is!

WWW - OK I won't!

You are a star

WOW!!! at this rate this thread will have over a thousand posts soon. once again soapy you are fab for organising all this xxx

i think you only have to look at how the people on this thread who seem most excited an dhave been pestering poor soapy and her crew for their matches are the givers, i for one am enjoying getting stuff for my matched family as for my own 2 little princesses ( who to be honest are spoilt rotten) , yes i work very hard to be in the fortunate position to be finacially stable but i certainly don't feel i should hoard it all to myself, not everyone has the same advantages and oportunites . so don't let a few less altruist (?spelling) people out htere spoil what has been a fabulous and joyful celelbratinof all things chrismassy and in the true spirit of mumsnet.

JARM dont you dare turn any of this down.

Have just looked at the other thread, wish I hadn't
Made me feel a bit sad really. But I am adamant that I am sending my presents off and hoping they are well received.
BTW I have absolutely no idea who it is I'm sending to, but feel happy that it is someone soapy knows and has a genuine need.

All wrapped and ready to go!

I'll not be adding my MN or RL name. Just signing it from Santa. Honestly the excuse to disrespect the overdraft was lovely!

i hope we do this again next year i already have ideas of what i'm going to do

I'm not involved in this but just want to say to Soapbox and all the donaters what you are doing is admirable.

I used to do the Christmas Child shoebox thing and giving makes you feel good so everyone is getting something out of it.

Nice one Soapy

OI Soapy I'm gonna nag now. Where's my family to send to??????????????

Gettings omething out iof it?

me?

hee hee hee

Wasn't sure what size dress to get Soapy as she is on the cusp so bought two beautiful frilly things

Thought one would do for birthday in a months or so

hee hee

Um

would it be at all possible for the recievers to state preferances re idenifying ourselves, wrapping presents etc?

I am donating gifts to children because I WANT TO! Not because I feel obliged too. Some are preloved, some are new. And DD has gained a lot by being invlolved in this too.

im really worried now - I was nominated but am less than deserving Im worried someone will google my postcode, work out who I am because I am the only MNter in the area - I didnt ask for anything

On a merrier note, I have worked out the perfect present for the MNer who I got, just the kids to sort out now

i would like to know who sends to me so that i can thankyou.
wrapping is whatever you want to do..surprises are great

Q - dont worry about it....i actually googled my postcode to see what someone else would see and it came up with some posh huge homes.....im actually in a 2 bed council flat on the top floor......not exactly posh....

i just looked up my postcode and apparently my house is worth 215,000. shame its coucil or i might be tempted to sell it and move somewhere cheaper lol

hello SendertoPT

yes, she's very tall and in cotton nappies so wears size 2-3. thank you!

i haven't read the other thread but i second what JARM said, if anyone has the slightest doubt about me then please don't feel obligated to send, no-one will ever know. i asked to be a recipient because i knew i wouldn't be nominated, i'm not nearly well known enough and i rarely start threads, the only time i've ever really spoken about our financial situation on MN is since this thread started as i figured i didn't have anything to hide in that respect anymore. i've never asked for help like this before, but it's differant when you have kids, you don't want to let them down, and will swallow your pride and dignity to make sure they are happy.

LMAO @XM - yes I keep getting phone calls about remorgaging - do u think the army would mind if I did that!

I felt a little disheartened reading that 'other' thread, that aside its certainly not stopping me from putting a smile on a childs face at xmas

I started to read thru the other thread and it hit me for the first time that people on here would question the receivers. All this time (since the thread soapy started) I've just been thinking that people are really kind and generous to give something to others in a different position. Now reading the other thread it just feels uncomfortable.

I still believe the givers and receivers are all utterly genuine and I for one am so glad MN is not all about clothes and make up but about helping people who need it/ask for it at this time of year.

As soapbox's sister and others have siad if you don't want to join in then don't, but don't make people who don't have it as good as you feel guilty for having to ask for help.

I read the thread (with Psychomum next to me), and started to get all worked up about it and wanting to justify myself. She said to me that my giver knows me, I don't know if it is an individual gift or a combined one, but that it would not be given if they didn't want to give it.

I plan to be out of this mess by this time next year, and I desperately hope that this will happen again so that I can do lots to help others.

I don't care where you live. I just want the chance to be able to give to people in a similar situation to me. I have read this thread for the last week stunned at the kindness of strangers - I plan to keep that feeling with me instead of the other one.

I've been trying to post for ages, but rl keeps getting in the way.
I've posted my parcel (wrapped, with a card but no name).
As far as knowing who is giving, I didn't know who gave my gift, so I posted a general thankyou with a clue, and my giver recognised me, so I could say thankyou, and she knew I had safely received her gift.

I don't think anyone on this thread has felt pressured, but has enjoyed the whole experience. Many of us are giving "preloved" items,(myself included) but I know that anything my dds received would be accepted in the spirit I believe it has been given.