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Christmas

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

~~~~***** Mumsnet Christmas Appeal 2009 *****~~~~

216 replies

NormaStanleyFletcher · 24/09/2009 15:05

The Christmas topic is open, so it is time once again for the Christmas Appeal. I have, in a moment of lunacy, said that I will run it this year (with help from chief-elf who I will leave to out herself). I only hope we can do as good a job as Soapbox, LittleLapin and SaintGeorge have done in previous years.

Here is an explination of what it is, and how it works, plagiarised heavily from StGs post last year...

The idea was that Mumsnetters offered gifts of good condition used toys and clothes, or small new gifts including vouchers, and Soapy/Lapin/StG matched them up with other Mumsnetters who perhaps were having a tough year - financially or emotionally. If you would like to donate but can't afford to buy new presents, keep in mind that 'pre-loved' items in good condition, such as maternity clothes, toys, games and baby things have been gratefully received in previous years.

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

[email protected]
If you are both donating and nominating, please send a separate email for each one (this is just to help with filing). You can nominate yourself.

I need the following details:

Your MN Name
Whether you are donating or nominating
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 (you can always name-change to post thanks). Please do let Mumsnet Santa know that you have received your gift so that we can make sure that everything has arrived and reassure the giver of that gift.

The deadline for signing up is November 8th to allow plenty of time. I aim to have the matches out by December 1st to give plenty of time for the trip to queue at the post office.

All nominees must have been registered Mumsnet members BEFORE July 1st 2009.
I would prefer nominators to have been Mumsnet members before September 1st 2009.

Finally, I would urge you ALL, even if you will never get nominated in a million years , to make sure you can receive CATs. This is free. You just need to go to MyMumsnet / Email Options and make sure the option is enabled.

Right then ? off you go!

OP posts:
MerlinsBeard · 25/09/2009 13:05

Can I just say that with what u have written you run the risk of ppl ASKING for stuff rather than be nominated or be in genuine need.

Other than that I will have a root around

AtheneNoctua · 25/09/2009 14:24

I would like someone to buy me a house. DO you think that is asking too much? Will it be difficult to match me with someone? Alternatively, I would settle for Xenia's island.

shootfromthehip · 25/09/2009 16:39

Happy to get involved. Have emailed you.

Thanks for being the one with broad enough shoulders to organise this

NormaStanleyFletcher · 25/09/2009 16:50

MoM - we do allow people to nominate themselves / their children.

Athene - your wanted request is worthy of Freecycle

OP posts:
Flamesparrow · 25/09/2009 16:52

I think I get what MoM means... If you are self nominating then just age/sex of children and "things are shit right now" rather than wanting vouchers etc.

Flamesparrow · 25/09/2009 16:53

That didn't make sense as in they then get what is given rather than "my 3 yr old girl needs a bike".

Obv saying that there is no sainsbury's for miles around could help.

I will be emailing later, when more coherent!

NormaStanleyFletcher · 25/09/2009 17:05

PMSL flame.

Nobody has been in the slightest bit grabby etc.

Worry not

OP posts:
Flamesparrow · 25/09/2009 17:21

I would say that I need to be less pregnant and I would be more coherent, but I doubt it...

YouLukaStunning · 25/09/2009 17:31

Lol flame!

will email later when I've had a think

lisad123wantsherquoteinDM · 25/09/2009 19:53

Do people really nominate themselves??

lisad123wantsherquoteinDM · 25/09/2009 19:54

have emailed you with someones name not my own, promise

Lilyloo · 25/09/2009 20:22

You have mail

FlyMeToDunoon · 25/09/2009 20:50

should I worry if I haven't heard back yet?

NormaStanleyFletcher · 25/09/2009 21:05

No not at all Dunoon.

I have emailed a few back asking for more details, but not many out of the whole.

You gave me all the detail I needed

Once I have my database finished tomorrow I will send out some mails to all the offers and nominators to confirm what further information I need, or that I have everything.

OP posts:
stickyj · 25/09/2009 21:13

I want to say something. I am an real oldie, have been around for years and was there for the 1st Xmas appeal thingy. Last year, In October, I suggested ressurecting the Xmas appeal and to my relief, loads of people joined in and the wonderful people who organised it, did their damndest to make it work. I can't imagine how much time, energy and emotion went into it but I do know this....the good far outweighed the bad! I sent my lovely DH out with a box of stuff to a random address (and I wasn't rich or being a do-gooder either) but I knew that I could take a bit off my kids' pressies and buy something for someone elses's kids. I also had a couple of gift vouchers I had been given and I donated those for the "grown-ups". Don't forget, there are Dads out there too who work hard, have seen their other halves and kids provided for and deserve a thought/pressie too. Not fogetting single dads too, who deserve ultimate respect!!

I appreciate that some people who gave may not have been thanked/acknowledged and they must be upset/gutted. If I had been nominated and failed to thank someone, there would be two reasons, I think. Guilt, for feeling inadequate/tired/too proud to acknowledge whilst feeling gutted I couldn't provide what I thought i "ought" to and the other reason, which I hate to say, just general ungratefulness (is that a word?)

I read all the posts and I still feel that the Mumsnet Xmas appeal is what we are about...we do care and although we don't always agree with each other, if someone really, really needs help/support, we'll be there.

Look at old posts, OJ I will always think about you, your life shaped my life. Peter's trabsplant, same thing, I lived it with you and your family. TR, I am thinking of you and your family and wish I could say clever things to help, but I can't.

I can, however make a difference to someone on here and their kids/family by listening to what people need/want and trying to send something, anything that would make Xmas better/beautiful to them. It doesn't have to cost a lot, it can be what you can afford but that gift will stay with most people for a long, long time because they know someone cares.

I also appreciate that some people out there are really, really struggling and to them I say, for goodness' sake, don't feel that you need to donate. You are doing a brilliant job of getting Xmas sorted for you and your families, there are people out there who can help and I know. from being on here for ages, that people who were helped one year felt a great pride in helping others next time. Every day/year is different and who knows, day to day, where we'll all be?

I am proud to be a member of Mumsnet and I know that Xmas will mean so many different things to so many people, with all the things that have happened over the last year.

stickyj · 25/09/2009 21:15

Sorry, few typos there but DH trying to make me watch Derren Brown and I'm trying totalk on here!!

Lilyloo · 25/09/2009 21:17

here here sticky

Ewe · 25/09/2009 21:46

Can you nominate more than one person?

alwayslookingforanswers · 25/09/2009 21:54

Ewe - I have - I'm nominated 3........and was about to post to ask if it I could nominate anther that I've just thought of

Salsavita · 25/09/2009 21:56

I have nominated two. Last year, I did 3.

Ewe · 25/09/2009 21:57

Thanks always, there are a lot of worthy nominees that is for sure! Will nominate again then (and maybe again ). I am happy to donate multiple times to even it out!

NormaStanleyFletcher · 25/09/2009 22:32

Feel free to nominate more than once, or twice or seventh or eighth

Can I ask that if you do you tell me

please please please

The sex and age of DC - if you don't know then tell me you don't know.

The postal address - if you don't know then tell me you don't know

Anything else about them that would be useful in finding matches (likes dislikes religion allergies and anything else that I ma not going to spellcheck or put commas in between) - if you don't know then please do a search - actually that counts for the other items on my list as well

I love you all dearly, I really do, or I wouldn't be doing this.

But I have quite a few emails without the MN name of the donator, any details of the person nominated (ages of DC, address, anything at all) just "I would like to nominate NSF".

I am prepared to put in some investigation time, but really....

Thank you for listening to me

OP posts:
CrackWhoretoPaulDacre · 25/09/2009 22:59

Go Norma, Go Norma, Go Norma

Have emailed

CrackWhoretoPaulDacre · 25/09/2009 23:15

Cor that Norma's a weirdo

luv,

Random Internet Sprite

NormaStanleyFletcher · 25/09/2009 23:21

Oh I am so A Mad Wierdo

I can provide references if anyone needs this confirming

OP posts: