Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
CrackWhoretoPaulDacre · 25/09/2009 23:23
Grin
lisad123wantsherquoteinDM · 25/09/2009 23:50

I agree stickyJ, certainly two of the ladies you mention I know, (one very well hehe) and certainly can think of some lovely ladies who deserve a treat. heres hoping this years one works well, and can I suggest we have a thread for "thank you's) this year?

NormaStanleyFletcher · 26/09/2009 00:06

We will have a thanks thread.

like this

OP posts:
lisad123wantsherquoteinDM · 26/09/2009 00:10

think i was a bit out of it last year just remember the year before these thank you threads all over MN.

tootiredtothink · 26/09/2009 10:41

Just checking you got my e-mail NSF.

And to ask what you do with emails like mine? Apart from wanting to bin them obviously, as I have no idea what to give until I know who I'm giving to.

NormaStanleyFletcher · 26/09/2009 10:56

I got the email you sent yesterday tootired.

Emails like yours sit in my donator folder smiling at me until the lists get closed on 8th Nov. Then we will match up people, and let the donors know who they are giving to. Not the MN name of the recipient, just an address, and the age etc of their DC (if appropriate) and any known preferences, sort of thing. Oh, and a reference number for you to write on your parcel in big red letters (just so we can match up what has ben sent with what has arrived)

Then we all sit back and feel the Christmas spirit.

OP posts:
tootiredtothink · 26/09/2009 11:09

I'm feeling the Christmas Spirit already- well, I was last night with the bottle beside me.

Was only wondering if I should be buying first if it would make it easier your end? But if you're happy with it, it's easier my end to buy once I know the age of dcs.

NormaStanleyFletcher · 26/09/2009 19:39

Just to confirm - I will not give out names of donators or nominators or nominees. Here, or in emails. I only replied to tootired above saying that she is a giver as she had mentioned she intended to give in her previous post

I thank you. I am here every Thursday. Try the veal. Kerchshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

OP posts:
Salsavita · 26/09/2009 19:42

I am sorry if I am bombarding you with emails NSF... but I keep thinking of different people at different times! (usual posting name Bellavita)

Salsavita · 26/09/2009 19:43

Have just seen your email NSF

alwayslookingforanswers · 26/09/2009 20:03

oh it's you Salsa - your post on my thread this morning felt like I should know you and I couldn't figure it out.

Salsavita · 26/09/2009 20:04

I have my strictly name on!

NormaStanleyFletcher · 26/09/2009 20:25

Salsa/bella - that is fine

email away. I am glad you liked the email I sent you

OP posts:
bradsmissus · 26/09/2009 20:41

Marking my place until I can come up with some goodies - will email soon.

(adopts cheesy american accent) Good Job!!!

Penthesileia · 26/09/2009 22:04

Deck the halls with boughs of holly - tra la la la la la la la la!

What fun!

I've emailed you.

Thanks, NSF, for organising this.

Ronaldinhio · 26/09/2009 23:22

done!!

I have no idea if I was thanked ast year and it is well beyond the point.....

I hope that whomever was as glad to receive as I was to give

this really made my Christmas and made me glad that I am part of MN and of a wider community of caring vipers

(balls to you all..festive future xxx)

hmc · 27/09/2009 00:04

I have no idea if I was thanked ast year and it is well beyond the point.....

Not for me it isn't. Perhaps I am lower on the food chain than you, but I like to think that any effort on my part has been appreciated

NormaStanleyFletcher · 27/09/2009 00:13

hmc - so sorry you had a bad experince.

When I asked if you could email me it was just to tell me what happened, so I might be able to prevent it for someone else. I wasn't trying to get you to join in.

Fletch

OP posts:
hmc · 27/09/2009 00:19

Mate - I am going to give it another go. Will email you

NormaStanleyFletcher · 27/09/2009 01:05

Please please don't feel you have to do that.

O do not press gang in any obvious way

OP posts:
Disenchanted3 · 27/09/2009 11:50

Ooooooh Christmas. how daunting exciting

I understand hmc, I took part in something similar (not this same thing) and was never thanked, it was a few years ago when DH was in work and we had more money but it was still a big thing for us to get a box thogether and even other members of my family donated and we never got a thankyou.

I can't believe christmas is nearly here!!

How long do you think Id last if I gave myself a xmas name now?? lol

Flamesparrow · 27/09/2009 11:53

HMC - I want thanks as well tbh Yes, it is all about the warm fuzzies, but it really isn't that hard to name change and say "Oi, 126354736437 giver - thanks for the pressie" is it?

mollyroger · 27/09/2009 13:04

I'm in! Have emailed you NSF, well done for taking up the poisoned chalice challenge

blushingm · 27/09/2009 13:14

hi - i've emailed you to Norma..........it was really exciting last year . Everyone at work thought i was potty sending parcels to total strangers

been here ages but don't think many people 'know' me

Alambil · 27/09/2009 13:27

DS REALLY loved his gift last year (I was astounded with the quality of what it was!!!)

I would love to offer something this year but am unsure as to funding so it won't be much at all

I will nominate too... got some people in mind