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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

~~~~~~~*******MUMSNET CHRISTMAS APPEAL 2008******~~~~~~~

228 replies

SaintGeorge · 01/10/2008 10:47

Well folks, it's that time of year again and MNHQ have launched the Christmas Topic.

So with no further delay I am hereby officially kicking off the Mumsnet Christmas Appeal 2008 (I know there has been a thread already but this is the official one )

In 2006 the amazing Soapbox came up with the idea and worked tirelessly to make it a huge success. Last year LittleLapin took over and carried on the fantastic work. Here we are in 2008 and muggins here has volunteered to make a hash of it give it a go.

For those who weren't around, there is plenty of reading to be had in the archives 2006 here and here, 2007 here - have fun, see you back here in an hour or so!

(Blatantly cribs bits from LL's post last year, because she said it so well)

The idea was that Mumsnetters offered gifts of good condition used toys and clothes, or small new gifts including vouchers, and Soapy/Lapin matched them up with other Mumsnetters who perhaps were having a tough year - financially or emotionally.

If you want to get involved, either by donating, nominating or both then please email me on:

[email protected] (those who know it are welcome to use my usual email address, but please put MN Appeal in the subject line)

I need the following details:

Your MN Name
If you are donating, nominating or BOTH (you can nominate yourself)
What you would like to give / receive

If you are a nominee, or are nominating someone, I will need a mailing address. Please say if you are happy for your RL name to be given out, or if you would prefer any gifts to be addressed to "The Mumsnetter of the House" or similar!

If you are giving gifts, please say what sort they are (toys, clothes, etc) and for what age/sex of child they are appropriate.

If you would like a gift, please say the age/sex of your children (if nominating, please give as much of this info as you can for your nominee).

If you would like vouchers, please say for which shops (obviously I can't guarantee anything here, but it helps to match people up, and people who have offered vouchers).

I won't be putting any names of nominees on the board; if you like, you can come on and say thank you if someone nominates you, but otherwise it will be anonymous.

The deadline for signing up is November 30th to allow plenty of time.

All nominees must have been registered Mumsnet members BEFORE September 1st 2008.

Many thanks to all who have already got involved this year.

Over to you lot, lovely people

OP posts:
Flamesparrow · 28/11/2008 22:07

I am on the beechams. Tis doing sod all, so try summat else

SaintGeorge · 28/11/2008 22:25

Maybe a hot toddy then.

Is it still a hot toddy if you use vodka instead of whisky?

I don't like whisky.

Not keen on the milk either come to think of it.

Or the honey.

Feck it, I'll just have the vodka.

OP posts:
Flamesparrow · 28/11/2008 23:06

a fine plan!

(you're meant to put milk in a hot toddy?? surely that won't help decongest....)

SaintGeorge · 28/11/2008 23:08

No, I was thinking of the icky warm milk thing that my mum used to drink.

OP posts:
Rhubarb · 28/11/2008 23:11

burp°

Flamesparrow · 28/11/2008 23:13
SaintGeorge · 30/11/2008 14:10

FINAL FINAL CALL FOR NOMINATIONS & DONATIONS

If you are nominating, please provide as much information on your nominee as possible. It will be difficult at this late stage for me to track addresses etc down.

If you are donating, please be as specific as possible with regards to suitable age/gender of pre-loved gifts.

And if anyone wants to make donations via Paypal the address is:

[email protected]

Same address for any emails.

Many thanks

OP posts:
SaintGeorge · 30/11/2008 15:24

.

OP posts:
DiscoDizzy · 30/11/2008 15:28

StG-I'm looking forward to getting my email as I have lots ready to parcel up

Dior · 30/11/2008 15:39

Message withdrawn

SaintGeorge · 30/11/2008 15:46

No, new gifts/vouchers etc very welcome but they are easy to match up.

I was just stressing that if you are sending a specific gift that you already have, then I need details to ensure a decent match.

OP posts:
Dior · 01/12/2008 10:18

Message withdrawn

forkhandles · 01/12/2008 20:18

can I ask a stupid question? I've been given the name/address of where to send my gits and I'm going to wrap them and send them off but should I write something on the present like 'with love from mumsnet'? What do others do, do you put your nickname on it or your name?

Hassled · 01/12/2008 20:29

Can I ask as stupid question as well? Have been in touch as a donater, but haven't yet heard who to send to. I realise it's going to take you ages to send all the emails out, but what point do I need to start panicking?

(I even went through my Spam folder - there was one from Celinda Belinda offering to sort out my penile dysfunction with herbs - I love Spam names )

ingles2 · 01/12/2008 20:30

Have returned your email StG

RustyBear · 01/12/2008 20:33

Last year I printed a label & put rows of the Santa smileys at the top & bottom, so the person who got it would know it was from MN.

Though I notice the Santa Smileys haven't been revealed yet, even though they are lurking there in the source code....

bellaBuonNatalevita · 01/12/2008 20:36

Hassled, I have not heard anything yet either, I take it you are just working your way down the list SaintGeorge?

Bienchen · 01/12/2008 20:56

STG, I'm still waiting for a reply, too.

forkhandles · 01/12/2008 21:08

that's a good idea Rusty thanks.

cherryontopofthexmastree · 01/12/2008 21:11

hi StG, will email with my list of what i have got for sending out. have struggled with local business support though as everywhere near me is struggling, plus i've not been well. x

SaintGeorge · 01/12/2008 23:55

I am working on sending out emails now. Please be patient, there are a lot to do and they all have to be done individually.

If you have any specific queries, please contact me by email - I am too busy to keep checking the thread, plus you are all filed by email address not user name, so answering queries here can get confusing

It is entirely up to the individual as to how to sign gifts. 'MN Santa', 'Secret Santa' or even real names are fine.

When you get your match email, there will be a reference number - please make sure this is included with anything you send.

Each number is unique to the sender/receiver combo and will mean that people can say thank you without having to describe everything in a parcel to identify it!

OP posts:
bellaBuonNatalevita · 02/12/2008 07:19

You are doing a fantastic job SaintGeorge - thank you

Flamesparrow · 02/12/2008 08:15

Oooh now the ref number is just getting cocky

I did a very good identifier last year.... I was kind enough to leave my wedding ring in the parcel

Dior · 02/12/2008 12:27

Message withdrawn

Alambil · 03/12/2008 01:46

I have a question: I've got my match for the thing I'm donating, but the family have more than 1 DC.

Can I send some small bits for the remainding children?