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.

Exit I am working on the "dripping tap" approach

Does is need to be spelled out that people can donate to charities/shelters/etc if they like? Even do both?

Yes, Honey.

I love Mumsnet at Christmas. I do a lot of thread hiding though.

In fact, despite popular opinion, I love Christmas. Just not in sodding October

The original thread was about helping people in need though!!! That's how the whole thing started!!! It was after the farepack scandal to help those that were struggling to afford a nice Xmas. It's only in recent years that it has turned into nominating people for being helpful.

Honey. You have made me well up.

But Reprint. Dripping taps are my bête noir.

That was a lovely post honeybooboo

the very wonderful very first Mumsnet appeal thread

It was different in the beginning, yes, but for several years it has been a way of just spreading a bit of cheer.

Everybody was happy enough about it until one namechangong troll a few sourpusses started moaning about it recently. And I don't mean the OP of the notorious thread, who was probably just somebody who gently needed to be handed and grip and given some hairstroking.

I don't think that there is any reason not to nominate people who may be in need, if someone thinks they should be nominated?
We know that MNHQ are doing a serious job on matching, so those who donate can feel confident that a large donation of supermarket vouchers or children's toys are going to go to people for whom they may make a big difference - and boxes of chocs will go to people who have been great hand-holders.

Bottles of gin might be a confused area

*handed a grip, sorry.

Leave it as it is. It's LOVELY and its Mumsnet in a tin.

So its not like other appeals. So what. Mumsnet isn't like a lot of other sites, so why shouldn't it be a bit different.

If people don't want to give or receive, they don't have to.
If people want to give to other charities they can.

I second what BOF said about stirring trolls.

Exit .... I knew I would find my role here, eventually
Will contemplate whether BN works as a NN

Yes, trixy.

But the trouble was that the original idea wasn't workable, not long term. As it got bigger there was always the problem of who was receiving and how much, and the logistics of matching people became impossible.

It would be possible to do that on a local basis.

But, to me anyway, the Mumsnet Christmas Appeal has become much more than that. For every person here who might be worried financially (and to whom a small gift might make a difference), there are at least as many if not more who are struggling emotionally, who are having a shit time, who feel unnoticed and unloved and unappreciated in real life. Some of those go out of there way to help others on here, despite struggling with their own lives.

The Appeal (or whatever you want to call it) gives them a boost, which can be even more important than a present.

BOF, I think it's fine the way it is too. I was just posting the original thread as someone said they thought it had never been about helping those in need. That was the original concept, but it has now evolved. .

It's not just this year that's it's caused some sort of ruck.

I'm sure every year theres a gripe about it from someone on MN.

And lets face it,it wouldn't be MN if everything went to plan without some sort of kerfuffle.

So true, Usual. The difference this year though is that the normal grumbles have been stoked by at least one person with an agenda, and I think it would be a real shame if MNHQ end up letting them shit all over something lovely.

I suggest that you ignore the moaners.

The kind of person who complains that they have not been nominated is the kind of person who will never be happy.

There's no level of neediness required to qualify. And no level of "so needy that they must be nominated". What you do to qualify is make someone else think that they'd like to nominate you. That is all.

I don't know anything about someone with an agenda.

I hope MNHQ are aware of the goings on though.

I am not sporting glittery antlers because it is fucking October.

Maryz would understand.

Have there been issues in the past with people turning up juuuuuust before nomination time and giving sob stories about how badly off they are and how much it would mean to them if their children could get a special present for Christmas?

Yes Trills - wasn't that what umm one poster used to do quite often - in fact, it was almost a christmas tradition.

There'll always be discontents, for whatever reason.

It's a lovely MN tradition and should remain as such.

Even in that v first OP there is mention of 'for established posters' or some such phrase.

yes trills, which is why the August deadline was introduced, then she turned up with her hand out in the August, was ever so funny #meow

at glittery antlers at this time of year.

Yes, I don't like the idea of people trying to prove they are needy. If a poster posts here throughout the year, various other posters will realise that they might need either a boost or something more practical, and nominate them.

If not, then how can anyone know? MNHQ are hardly doing door-to-door checks to identify my Granny's Deserving Poor.

Maryz. It was Rowan's decree. If you want to post about it you do so with glittery antlers.