Mumsnet Christmas Appeal - suggestions please

[JustineMumsnet]

Following on from a couple of threads discussing the Christmas appeal over the weekend, I thought we should post our thoughts on things.

First we're really sorry if not being nominated for this year's appeal has made anyone feel bad or left out. Obviously it's the opposite of why we do it but the truth is there will always be deserving people who, for whatever reason - frequent namechanges or pure and simple oversight - will be overlooked.

Over the years the Xmas appeal really has brought a lot of joy both to the givers and receivers of gifts - this is a typical post/mail from a giver:

"It is a wonderful thing this Santa business. It totally dispels the idea that Mumsnet is no more than words on a screen and shatters the notion of the pit of vipers. Since being matched with you, not a day has passed when I haven't thought of you and your family. Your posts shine with warmth, humour and love for your family. You are a remarkable woman. For me, it has been more than sending a little something: you have made me really think about what Christmas should be.
So I thank you too, and will raise a glass to you and yours on Christmas Day. Much love to you all"

As Christmas becomes every more about consumption we think the appeal for many is a reminder of what it is really all about. It certainly is for us at MNHQ and consequently we are very happy to put a lot of MNHQ resource into the operation; SandyMumsnet pretty much devotes a month of time to it.

Clearly it doesn't operate optimally for everyone, but net net, it really is a good thing I believe. That said we'd value suggestions about how you think we could do it better. We took over the operation of the appeal only because it was becoming too big a job for any individual - but it was conceived by Mumsnetters for Mumsnetters and exists pretty much in the same form as that original idea.

Do let us know your thoughts and suggestions here.

[MilllyMollyMully]

Quite.

[AndHarry]

I've taken part in the last couple of years. These are my suggestions:

• change the name to something less indicative of helping those in need.

• have the nominations and donations pages as a form only, not a thread where people can comment.

• put a link the forms on each board. Again, no comments.

• set up an official received/thankyou thread in Site Stuff and have that as the only thread allowed on the subject.

Having read various threads on the subject, I think the nasty comments directed at posters who felt left out/ had anything but 100% praise for the whole thing were unnecessary and I'd prefer not to see that again next year.

[Mellowandfruitful]

Christmas Stocking / Christmas Cracker are both good.

[Grennie]

I am genuniely tempted to try and sell sparkly reindeer shit to MNers next year

[PedlarsSpanner]

Hmmm there's an idea

[Arohaitis]

Pedlars will surely bring out a line of sparkly reindeer shit

[MillyMollyMully]

Christmas Cracker has the same "small gift" connotation plus the idea of pulling it together. Some people do put money gifts in crackers though - I seen it on Mumsnet.

[ExitPursuedByABear]

Or cava?

[ParsingFright]

I liked MN Christmas Stocking or Christmas Cheer.

Because neither sounds like they're all about huge gifts, but about the little fillip that someone cared. While leaving open the possibility for the stocking to contain a voucher or the cheer to be festive groceries.

[ScarerStratton]

What about calling it Mumsnet Spreading the Love?

That's not misleading is it? And it keeps the good feel, but isn't going to be confused with charity.

Other than that, I despair, it works just fine.

[ButThereAgain]

When the economy needs a boost, the gold-eating rich are given tax incentives to eat All-Bran, and the trickle-down effect becomes a torrent of wealth creation.

(If things go too far, the tax incentives are switched to hard-boiled eggs to slow things down.)

[PacificDogwood]

'The trickle down effect'

I am at WORK, woman, ment to be all professional and stuff and I just snarfed out loud!

[ButThereAgain]

Those golden capsules are a Thatchite dream -- the rich eat them and the poor wade through their excrement for lean pickings. The trickle-down effect.

I'm sure George Osborne does it. We should be grateful.

[GobbySadcase]

'The Kevin Sparkly Shit Stocking'?

[MaryZombie]

Or just announce that it was Olivia's job this year, but she is on maternity leave so .....

[MillyMollyMully]

Sandy, the answer to all your problems is to empty your inbox into EmmaMumsnet's inbox. Job done.

[MaryZombie]

Jux, that is so awful it's almost wonderful.

[ExitPursuedByABear]

I despair.

[PacificDogwood]

Good lord !!

Do you know, Jux, it's stuff like that that makes me actually agree with my dad's most horrible reactionary friends that feel we've 'got it too good' and 'what we need is another war'. Almost. Not quite.

There'll be people buying it too.

I want magical glittery reindeer poo. From Santa's reindeers.

[Jux]

I have found this which I think I want quite badly. I shall feed it to the cats, in the absence of reindeer.

[Jux]

My brother gave dd some poo paper for Xmas last year. It wasn't sparkly, but I expect they'll have improved it by now.

[PacificDogwood]

Reindeer poo all over the garden in a blessing and should be cherished

I wonder if they do poo wrapping paper? Sparkly poo wrapping paper??

[Jux]

I want reindeer poo growing a banana palm. Which reminds me, our greenhouse blew over yesterday in the howling gales and typhoony things. It landed all over the garden.

[ParsingFright]

Ooh, I'm quite interested now I've actually read it. If I plant the seeds in the compost come spring, I will have a mini, poo-grown Crimble tree for next year.

Why did I not do this before?

Sorry, Exit, you'll have to get your own.