NOW CLOSED Sign up to the panel now and you could win a signed Nigella book or five Cadbury's Treasure Boxes

[AnnMumsnet]

Have a read of our thank you thread and you could win a signed copy of Kitchen by Nigella Lawson or 5 Cadbury's Treasure Boxes worth £50 in total......

Did you know that in the last year the Insight Team (Ann, NewGirlHelen and Carrie) have given away prizes for taking part in surveys, product tests, events, threads, focus groups etc, worth a staggering £25K? Loads of you have taken part in product tests - from the £1800 Samsung American-style fridge freezer to Walkers Sunbites (and many many things in between - so many we couldn't even begin to calculate the value of goods tested ). We are very grateful to everyone who applied to take part in a product test, took part and/or read the feedback. It's all about reviewing products on behalf of your community and sharing the love (hopefully!) with MN and with the company behind the product.

We've also asked you to complete a number of surveys - so thank you if you've taken the time to tell MNHQ or various clients what you think about a myriad of topics, from kids shoes to your experiences of miscarriage.

Many of these projects have been conducted on Mumsnet, but an increasing number of interesting market research projects are happening off site, via our research panel. If you are part of the panel, many and if you need to change any details we have on the database please email [email protected].

Now for the plea for help...we're always on the look out for new folks to join the panel - click here for more info or to sign up. Everyone who signs up using this link will be entered into a prize draw to win a signed copy of Kitchen by Nigella Lawson or five Cadbury's Treasure Boxes worth a total of £50

You can also enter the prize draws by adding your thoughts to this thread regarding...

a) suggested companies or products you'd like to see put to the MN test next year (no promises mind)
b) what you have enjoyed reading about, taking part in on MN (relating to product tests, surveys, discussions etc)
c) any suggestions for NewGirlHelenMumsnet's new nickname...she has been here a year now and is no longer NewGirl, but there is already HelenMumsnet so we are stumped.....(her surname starts with an R)

We'll do the draw at the end of January so you have plenty of time to have a think!

Coming up in 2012 alongside lots of new projects we are having a new page all about the market research we do, so watch out for that.

Merry Christmas to you all and best wishes for a Happy (and prize winning) New Year

Ann, NewGirlHelen and Carrie at MNHQ

Here's the link to sign up for the panel again

[ilovesprouts]

ive tested a few things looking forward to doing the same in 2012

[WhoIsThatMaskedWoman]

Agree that poncy skincare and other beauty gimmicks would be a good test - though I'm not sure whether if I were a snake oil merchant beauty laboratory I'd let my overpriced gunk loose on the somewhat cynical MN demographic.

Children's magazines would be good - they tend to be avaiable via expensive 6 month subscription, so a product test might be useful.

Could NewGirlHelen be HelenBackMumsnet?

[ouryve]

I'm on the panel. Some of the surveys have been quite interesting.
specially chocolate. And if Lego ever want product testers, I have a very willing and rigorous tester in the house! :)

I suppose OldLagHelenMumsnet doesn't sound all that flattering, really. I don't exactly have the most imaginative username, myself!

[StellaAndFries]

Things I'd like to see reviewed or to test:

Cloth nappies, I couldn't test these but as disposables have had a go perhaps it'd be nice for cloth to have a try, also it may convince dispo users to switch.

Nice beauty/personal care products,

Always love food

Some secret shopper style days out would be good, we could report back on our experiences.

Cleaning products, especially stain removers, carpet cleaners etc.

[ouryve]

Forgot to say, I've really enjoyed the tests, too - this year it's been Tomato seeds, sunbites, blobo and bio oil, plus I won a load of JL vouchers for reporting on an event I'd probably have spotted as i did my weekly shop, anyhow! I'm also still wearing the Berghaus coat I tested late last year - it still looks good!

[GrownUpBelievesInSanta]

I have really enjoyed taking part in the product testing this year, it's really put a smile on my face a few times helping with the Pearson's 1-7 group, especially since my DS gets to benefit from so many great books, and I get to spend the £50 vouchers on the Christmas presents.

The day I got the envelope in the post was a really bad one, had had just about enough with my step dad's brain haemorrhage and my best friend being hospitalised after I'd been nursing her at mine for a week. Was so worn out and fed up, and when I signed for the envelope I though it was going to be something bad. Instead it brightened up my whole day. Thank you so very much for that.

[TheRealMBJ]

Thank you all but especially to NewGirlHelen who was immensely helpful in sorting out the logistics surrounding the delivery and installation of my Glorious King of Fridges, the Samsung .

I would like to suggest the following :

A) cameras, pushchairs, and more foods. Perhaps some frozen food product as I think they are very recession friendly (although the logistics may be difficult)

C) HelpfulHelenMumsnet

(Please can I win the chocolate I need it because I'm breast feeding 2 children)

[miSaltireandwine]

I too have enjoyed being on the panel.

I'd like tos ee clothes for 40+ women - I think someone else mentioned it up thread - and especially taller women (I'm 6ft tall).
Also skincare and beauty products

As for NewGirlHelenmumsnets name, well I think I have sussed it

Nelliemumsnet - Nellie is a nickname for Helen is it not .

I await delivery of the chocolate

[TheFestiveWife]

I think a test for a a fmily holiday in Disneyworld would be good.

[TheFestiveWife]

*family

[HazeltheMcWitch]

Well, I think I've only been selected for the Sunbites trial, so that's easily the best one I've participated in...! I did enjoy reading all the excitement about the fridge trial however, once I had managed to quell my jealousy. Agree with those who have said it is fab, and rare, to read really honest unbiased feedback - where good is presented alongside bad, the good can be trusted more.

I think it'd be great to test: beauty products/fragrances (as in formulations in development), also bras - ones that are meant to be comfortable, to my mind never are.

[BornToFolk]

to Mumsnet for the Insight panel. I've really enjoyed testing things this year.
My favourite was the Warbutons bread products. It was really fun to try and create some new recipes...and eat them too

I do enjoy the food product tests.

[champagnesupernova]

oh yes, borntofolk I forgot the Warburton's bread test. I really got into that one. Also very much enjoyed the sunbites almost ate them all in one go

I would love to test any beauty products (have heard great things about Babyliss Big Hair ) though actually love receiving food in the post too [greedy]

Maybe NewGirl could be Helen L Mumsnet a bit like SamuelLJackson??

Anyway, thanks to MNHQ for all the fab insight panel, am sure it's load of work to pull together.
I heart Nigella and chocolate so would be happy with either prize

[PandaG]

I've enjoyed taking part in lots of surveys, and the product testing - Sunbites particularly come to mind as the whole family loved them.

I too would be very happy to do more mystery shopper type stuff - did Matalan earlier in the year - and the guaranteed Amazon voucher was an excellent incentive to give up my time.

would be happy to test more games, food, anything really. I like providing customer feedback.

[CheeryCherry]

What about TheOtherHelenMumsnet? Or TheLatestHelenMumsnet? Or TheNewAndImprovedHelenMumsnet?
As a family we enjoyed the sunbites survey, and I enjoyed the facecreme one - it took me out of my comfort zone and knocked a few years off me lol!
So I enjoy the cosmetic/bathroom products, and the foodie ones of course, and would appreciate more of those. I love the fact that the surveys have that little incentive of a prize draw (easily pleased) though I like filling in surveys so don't mind anyway
Thanks for all the fun!

[Collision]

TheOtherHelenAtMumsnet would be good!

I would like to say a huge thanks to everyone at Mumsnet for the great products we have had to test this year too.

We did Sunbites, Dolmio, tomato seeds, we won the Wii testing and all the games, we got to go to Hamleys for Skylanders and-product-test-the-Wii-game-at-home We won lunch at Jamies in Reading.

I would like to do wine tasting, skin care products for dodgy skin, childrens' clothes and shoes would be great too.

[SanTEEClaus]

a) suggested companies or products you'd like to see put to the MN test next year (no promises mind)

Hmm...I am searching my head but I can't think of anything. Unless you want to do a special 'test out Spas in NI and ROI' campaign. I'd be willing to help with that.

b) what you have enjoyed reading about, taking part in on MN (relating to product tests, surveys, discussions etc)

Really enjoyed the Walkers Bites as did my husband and my son. Bio oil was also an interesting one.

c) any suggestions for NewGirlHelenMumsnet's new nickname...she has been here a year now and is no longer NewGirl, but there is already HelenMumsnet so we are stumped.....(her surname starts with an R)

First of all, you must make it an HR policy that you cannot hire anyone with the same name of anyone who already works there. Sorted for the future.

Now as to Helen....HelenTheGreatOfMumsnet works well, if a bit long....

::Tee hopes chaos noticed all those proper caps:::

[asuwere]

I've enjoyed being on the panel - each time I've been chosen to test something, I've got a little too excited and DH has enjoyed making fun of me!

Good things to test would be cleaners/vacuums, kids clothes, slimming undies :)

As for Helen - I like Inmysparetime's suggestion of HelenMumsnet and MumsnetHelen :)

[breatheslowly]

I'd like to see delivery companies being put to the MN test.

I use the MN reviews section quite a lot - most recently to find out about slow cookers.

I'd go with HelenTheMelonMumsnet (sorry, and not for any particular reason).

[ChippyMinton]

NoNotThatHelenTheOtherHelenMumsnet who is absolutely lovely of course (it was you at the suncream event, was it not?)

Best things this year:
Sunbites, Innocent, Garnier suncream (how's that going btw?) and the Amazon voucher I won

[DramaInPyjamas]

Thank you Mumsnet Team for selecting me to take part in some of the trials. I'm like a big kid at Christmas whenever I get a MN package in the post! I still haven't got over not being chosen to test the Samsung Fridge though..

I personally would love to see some coffee or cheese product testing.
Or maybe some arts/crafts stuff.

As for a new name for Helen, I quite like TheProvincialLady's suggestion of NotThatHelenMumsnet

[DramaInPyjamas]

Do you have to re-register for the Insight Panel for next year?
I wasn't sure so did it again anyway.

[moonbells]

I've had fun testing things, though I can't say I did very well with the tomatoes! I still have lonely green ones in the shed...

The Chedds tests were definitely the star here. I spend a fortune on the blasted cheese toasties... DS really does adore them! I like the sunbites and can cheerfully eat a packet or two...

I really like being part of this (not so little) community. I've admittedly got a lot out of it this year (both help and cheese) and hope that I can carry on dishing out my not-so-pearly bits of wisdom next year

Tests - er - can anyone supply a test cleaner or two for a week? Oh, it was in the Plum competition?
Foodie things, though it would be nice if they did the testing before finalising the products, as the Chedds haven't changed despite us all moaning about the impossible packaging!

Helen - I couldn't possibly top some of the suggestions above!
Happy Christmas

[AnnMumsnet]

No need to complete the panel form again...once you're in; you're in! (unless you opt out of course!).

Thanks for all the lovely comments....it's all great feedback and is being shared with all the teams at MNHQ

[PigeonStreet]

I second the suggestion of testing new family tents or camping equipment as we always hang our noses over new bits of kit but hardly ever purchase them in case they are a waste of space and money.
I would love to test beauty products, kitchen equipment, kids outdoor toys and other quite expensive toys which we would only buy if we knew they were worth it.
Oh also I would like a masterclass in how to fill in the application to be a tester as I never get chosen and I bet there must be a particular way of filling the form in [wonders if there is a secret mumsnet handshake I didn't know about...]