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.'

I was so surprised to be nominated - I've been rather quiet during 2014 with "real life" getting in the way even of mumsnet time..... but thank you from the bottom of my heart to whoever nominated me. It lifted my spirits during a difficult time to know that "someone" is thinking of me and my little tribe.

Some day, someone is going to tot up the gin you all have been slurping SantaSandy. It feels like a good few bottles so far!

When will donors know who to post to? How long does the matching take?

Thanks!

Hi Want

From two of SantaSandy's recent posts

This matching malarkey takes time, so the mails to donors giving all the details of their match will not drop into your mail boxes until the first week of December.

The matching up is a long and thoughtful process, we try to get as good a fit as possible, so the mails to donors giving instructions about their gifts will not be going out FOR SOME TIME.

Just keep a weather eye on your email and all will be told to you.

PS - or keep an eye on the threads. I'm sure that someone will say or hint that the emails are going out/have gone out.

Thanks cozie! Clearly didn't read back well enough

sorry if this is a daft question but I offered to donate two nice toys - do you find out anything about the MNer you're sending to? I'd obviously pop a wee thing in for her too, but if there was another dc for example I'd be happy to donate something else!

If I recall, MNHQ will share some basic facts that they've been OK'd to - eg the number and ages of DCs - although I'd guess that they'll try to match you according to your proposed donations in any case.

It's a nice idea to pop something in for the MNer as well.

Thanks Cozie that's good to know - I'd got a little thing for the MNer and was going to make up a nice parcel but I then stressed that they might have someone in the house missing out! I've reported my post so they can add it to the spreadsheet in case they're looking for someone who can be a bit more flexible. Very excited, it's my first year taking part :)

Any queries or worries, drop a quick email to [email protected] - I'm sure that they'll be happy to help. (And I'm sure that your gift will be wonderfully well received. )

The spreadsheets are matched the mails to donors have been sent and Christmas is just around the corner.

It's all going on over on this thread now. Go see for yourself!

Ding Dong Merrily on High.

Well done SantaSandy and all your Merry Elves.
Can I ask a quick question please. Is it possible to hide the 'Have you sent your secret santa gift' popup once I've seen it once in a session? Its rather big on the screen, covering important bits of the screen key to posting messages and it's making me feel guilty even though I only just read the email

I got my nominee, but totally unsuitable - a yr 13/14 new Boden t-shirt for a 6yr old boy. So I will now have to go and buy a voucher which is fine. I knw matching is tough but don't use the match if you have nothing suitable.

SantaSandyMumsnet

Can I have my email please? I have my popup about sending my gift, but I have no message with information (if any) about my recipient. Seems as if everyone else got 2, and I got none

Sorry Sandy, ignore me, I've found it. Blame it on this horrible fluey cold...

Help help, I have two address labels but only one nominee description.

Drop an email to [email protected] hagarthorne. They'll sort you out.

Hi not sure if this is a stupid question but i posted I could offer 2 different gifts and I have 2 people to send to but I'm not sure which is which.

I now don't know what to send them eg if they have any DC?

help ?

Maybe another silly question but the address label I printed is quite small and I worry if the post office people will be able to see it!
Can I just copy the address myself?
I can usually make decisions like this myself

Of course you can, Viper - it's just MNHQ trying to make life easier for some people.

chocolated

Have you read through the whole of each of the emails you've been sent? There should be something there I would have thought - eg number of DC.

Afternoon folks

If you have any queries, just so we don't miss them, please could we ask you to pop a quick mail to us at [email protected]. We're always happy to help.

Check out my Christmas jumper, too much?

can i ask, just for curiosity's sake, how you match donor and nominee?

@StripedOss

can i ask, just for curiosity's sake, how you match donor and nominee?

I read through both spreadsheet details from the nominations (just under 300) page and the donation (just under 450) page and see how things sit. Then I do my very best to make the most appropriate matches I can. I am human and it does get a bit of a head-spin after a few hours, so a massive apology to all you lovely lot if I don't get it quite right sometimes.
We take the Secret Santa very seriously and I really put my heart and soul into it and find it a very humbling experience, hugely rewarding too.

Thanks so much for all your hard work Sandy

Thank you Sandy :)