Season's (well nearly) greetings, and welcome to the MUMSNET SECRET SANTA 2014!

[SantaSandyMumsnet]

Sleepy reindeer are waking, Christmas elves are busy mulling wine, and we at MNHQ - and you lovely lot - need to get cracking. Yes, we know it's only October, but the Mumsnet Secret Santa waits for no one

For those of you who are new to our seasonal spreading of goodwill, the idea is that Mumsnetters nominate fellow Mumsnetters whom they feel particularly deserve some festive cheer to receive an anonymous Christmas present. We also open a thread asking for gift donations, and match these to the nominees as part of a HUGE anonymous Secret Santa operation. For more on how the whole thing works (clue: as smoothly as a rocket-powered sleigh), take a look here.

This Christmas tradition was a scheme cooked up by Mumsnetters themselves, and it has thrived over the years due to their generosity (you can find out more on how it came about over here). It generally goes without any major hitches , but there are just a few rules and regs which it's worth brushing up on.

And now, to business. The nominations page is live, and you can add your nominee's name at any time from now until 29th October, when the page will close. We'll then drop all nominees a line to ask for their addresses, the ages/sex of their DC, if they have them, and any further family details they're happy to share with us and their donor. This information needs to be with us by 7th November.

The donations thread is also live, so please pop on and let us know if you'd like to make someone's Christmas a little bit more special by showing them that they're in your thoughts. In terms of what to donate, we love vouchers because they're easy to match, but we're delighted with all sorts. Remember, nothing is too small, and please don't worry if you're thinking of donating a gift with a low cash value, because money is really not what this is about.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your awesome generosity. You amaze us every year.

It's all now in your capables, but if you have any queries we're happy to hear from you at [email protected].

'And the bells were ringing out for Christmas day.'

Been away in that there London and came home to find I've been nominated. I'm so touched, thanks to my lovely nominator

I didn't realise I'd been nominated until just now, when I stumbled across an email

Aww thank you whoever you are. It was a lovely thought

I've been nominated too, unbelievably touched.
Thank you to whoever nominated me

I have just found out I have been nominated!! What an amazing and thoughtful gesture xx

To the nominator

I had a little cry!!!!!!

all round xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ho Ho Ho

Calling all nominees.

Only a few days left to enter your details, so please go to the nomination page here and let us know your address and any other information you're happy to share.
Then we can put you on the matching spreadsheet. (this link will only work if you've been nominated and you're logged in to Mumsnet.)

Thanks

Maybe people don't realise they need to check their email?

When I was nominated the year before last, HQ sent me a PM to let me know. This time I stumbled across an email by accident.

That's a fair point. I recall when MN recommended a password change backaways, a surprising number of people were saying that they didn't have access to/didn't ever check their registered emails. Maybe MNHQ should (if it's not a nightmare task) send some quick PMs to those who haven't responded?

santasandy I've added some more info on my form and submitted it again, hope it's ok. I wasn't sure how much detail to add. I wanted to get the balance right so it was helpful but not grabby.

If I get it wrong I'll just blame my dyslexia

I nearly deleted the e-mail. It wasn't very obvious what it was and it looked a bit like spam or one of the mailing lists I sometimes delete without reading (sorry).

Huge thank you to whoever nominated me. It came totally out of the blue and I'm touched that someone would think to nominate me. It offered a very timely pick me up this week and after shedding a small tear or two when I read the email, I'm still smiling about it now.

and and to Sandy for all the hard work this involves .

I've just found out I've been nominated!

I have no idea why! was it something I said?

Thank you so much, whoever nominated me, I'm humbled by the thought that I'd be worthy of this gift. I mean that. Thank you

(and please I beg you pm me who you are. I can't bear the suspense! )

SantaSandy

am I supposed to put my username on the form where I need to fill in my address?

sorry. I don't understand how this works

I think you can only fill in the form if you are logged in. And if you are logged in, it knows who you are without you having to put the name in.

Or at least I hope it does.

I've been nominated too! I'm so very genuinely touched, and I'm sure most of the people who browse Most Active late at night would like to nominate me for a slap round the face with a wet sock

Oh I fell all lovely and warm now.

I have been nominated too, oh I get quite teary when I think about it Definitely having the warm festive fuzzies now :).

I'd like to say a huge thank you to whoever nominated me. I have no idea what I've done to deserve it and feel a little guilty accepting it, but thank you, whoever you are.

I'm so touched to have been nominated! I honestly thought it might not be real, or spam, or a joke. I can't believe that somebody thought of me. So thank you. Thank you very much. x

Mornin all,

Right, NOMINEES WE NEED YOUR DETAILS PLEASE. Good thinking Worra and cozie and thanks for the suggestions about PMing. All done.

No need to give your username when filling in the information form, you'll be logged in to Mumsnet so we'll know who you are.

The spreadsheets are ready, the Christmas jumper is out the wash and the gin is on ice. All we need now are the mince pies.

Any questions (please do not use the PMing system it's an administrative nightmare) just drop us a mail at [email protected].

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? In the lane, snow is glistening...

I am slightly gobsmacked to - allegedly - have been nominated. Would like to give a big kiss to whoever put my name in the ring.

I have just received an email thank you so much who ever has nominated me this year the past few months have been the worst ever and the friendship and support I have received from so many of you has been amazing I have shed tears of happiness this morning for the first time in a long time thank you xxxx

Actually I will upgrade 'gobsmacked' to 'stunned'. I really am.

I felt both stunned and amazed to receive an e-mail from MN stating that I had also been nominated. I was not expecting that at all and it was such a nice surprise.

My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the kind person who did this .

I've just found this thread. I'm so surprised to find I've been nominated, nearly missed the email.
I want to say a massive thank you to the lovely person who thought of me. Gave me a bit of confidence, which has been lacking recently.

Me too . I am stunned. I think I believe in Santa all over again now..