*************************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- I have had my email-Do I have to tell you which kid I am sending to or just send the pressies and the Mum can choose?

Nikkie - if it is obviously for one child then do let me know who it is for and I'll try and even up IYSWIM. If it could be for either then leave it for Mum to decide I think

*

DEADLINE NEWS

Just to let you all know that as of now I am not going to accept any new offers of help.

I will be matching up the last few receivers and then will draw a line under the appeal.

There will undoubtably be people for whom it has not proved possible to find a match for their offerings and I will let you know that by the end of the week.

But please - if you did offer something here but it wasn't possible to match it up, then please do consider offering it to an alternative appeal or charity.

Other news:

I had a wonderful box of lovely goodies from Great Expectations today - lots of lovely bits and pieces I will be sending these out in the next week or two

Have you found someone with a van to collect Xmas trees, decs and tinsel from us?

oooh its all very exciting

Hazell - have just emailed you

SOAPY Will mainly be for the eldest but may be suitable for the middle one too

bump to top xx

soapy, you better find me a match

no dont worry, anything that wont be used iwill be donating to womens aid.

I, for one, am delighted to be able to empty my cupboards and actually send the extra things to someone who may actually enjoy it. Some things aere preloved, others are duplicate presents friends bought for my kids.

Receivers - I am very happy to do this as it is teaching my children the true meaning of Christmas at an age where (I hope) it will make an impression for life.

We all have had hard times, so if we can help each other through - either with Xmas gifts or help and advice - then that is what community is nall about. i have no doubt i will be seeking advice / help with dd's behaviour over the next months and I hope I will see the same generosity there ...

It also helps me in another, different way. I will be sending out my parcel next Monday - Dec 4th is the 7th anniversary of my Grandmother's death. I loved her dearly and it was only with the help and support of friends that I got over it. I will be doing this partly in her memory and I am sure she would be very happy for that as she was such a wonderful person.

how brilaint that despite the recievers getting a bit worried (understandably) that their motives are being called intp question (they're not im sure) there are still people wishing to volunteeryet more items.

now this is what mumsnet and christmas is all about.

Soapy i think you have done a sterling job and i am certain the whole of MN is grateful to you for all your hard work. now turn the pc off and go relax. you deserve it...you Mrs Santa you.

no, what is it?

just re-read my posts earlier.... ds was helping me type! sorry for the typos!

SFPT, my mystery voucher giver, and all the other incredible givers on this thread, i for one never imagined my dd would get anything more than a little secondhand toy so my expectations have already been so far exceeded! you've all given so much and no-one should feel that their gifts are less good than others.

i can't describe to you what it means to have strangers help you in such a dark hour. last week i had to spend the money for my dd's xmas present on nappies for my ds. if someone like cod cannot understand how wretched that makes someone feel then i'm glad for her that she's had such a privelaged life. i hope she's never in the situation of having to swallow her pride and ask for help because i wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Thank you all and thank you soapbox for doing this

Hi Soapbox - hoped a message here might be easier for you. Any news on deliveries to your place? - I've had another sweet offer we can consider. Also still not heard from Bristol dropper - I emailed last night. I am happy to email you my home number for them to try if you think that might help.

I know exactly how you feel PT. I had to borrow £2 from DD2's money box to buy potatoes and bread. The trouble is ive borrowed so much from both DD's that they have very little left apart from 'Mummy owes you' notes.I know they are too little to understand but still makes me sad.

{{{{hugs}}}} tortoise

PT your kids won't mind and having a loving mum is what counts

Ok my match email said a anme followed by 22 weeks, female so I'm assuming this is for a five mth old baby girl ,not a mum 22 weeks pregnant.Do you think that sounds right. I'm a bit unsure of best pressie to send for a baby that age- any ideas?

Hello all I am as my name says the youngest sister of soapy - I have been lurking in the background as the initial spreadsheet queen - it is not with suprise that some negative postings have surfaced and I dont think soapy is naiive enough not to expect some postings along these lines in fact we all (3) sisters discussed it.

When clearing up my dads office after he passed away I found a little scrap of paper and on that was simply typed the following ( I do beleive Mother Theresa wrote it);

People are unreasonable, illogical, self-centred
... love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives
... do good anyway.
If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies
... be successful anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow
... do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable
... be honest and frank anyway.
People love underdogs but follow only top dogs
... follow some underdog anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight
... build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you try to help
... help people anyway.
If you give the world the best you have, you may get kicked in the teeth
... but give the world the best you have anyway.

So I think no matter what anyone might have to say love them anyway, exchange the magic of Christmas with them and accept that no matter what good you do others will try and put you down it does not mean that you stop doing good.

Well done sis I am proud of what you have achieved even though you kept on emailing me and phoning me at ungodly hours!!

Youngest sis!

Well done to soapbox and sisters.