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.'

Oh and I have nominated.

frankie how can you nominate someone who doesn't actually use mumsnet? What an odd idea.

I can just about think of some circumstances where MNHQ might consider a nomination for someone who doesn't post but only lurks - but I'd agree that being a member of Mumsnet in reasonably long standing (eg the six months already noted) is pretty well a prerequisite.

Having said which, frankie, if you know someone who is in a bad place and could do with some help/a little lift, why not persuade them to actually join the site and participate? I'm sure that many people have found this place helpful and supportive in difficult times and your friend may benefit from it similarly.

chocoraisin there is a link in the first post by SantaSandyMumsnet with a link to fill in the form to donate

@frankie80

can we nominate someone who doesn't post on MN but lurks a lot? I'm guessing the answer is 'no'

A MNer does need to have been a member for six months before any nomination can be accepted. Mail us at [email protected] and we'll happily take a look.

@ThreeQuartersEmpty

frankie the point of Secret Santa, as said in the OP, is for MNers to nominate fellow MNers. The reason the six months rule was introduced was after the thread last year that I won't bring up again. I'm sure we all know someone in RL who would benefit from a surprise gift, but that's not the point of the MN Santa.

I've reported your post and hopefully MNHQ will clarify.

Thanks for reporting. We've posted, but as always if anyone has any questions, however small, please mail us at [email protected].

:)

No idea why Zombie's thread on the 14th at 22:52 made me think of this but I am wondering if we could do a pet one? Buying a toy for a dog or a cat would be so much fun .

And why don't we have cat and dog emoticons??

Just nominated and offered to donate. Couldn't donate last year so just nominated but back to doing both again this year.

Itsfab

Maybe if the nominee has a much-loved family pet, they might include that in the information passed to the donor via HQ - so the donor could include a little pet gift as well if they want. (Young DCs are sometimes the strongest proponents of 'Fluffy getting a Xmas present as well'.)

I was nominated last year and it was a lovely surprise. I had lovely gifts from several MN angels.
This year I am donating :-D

Are we able to nominate more than one person?

Yes!

I want to donate, but can MNHQ please tell me how the process work. Is there a vetting progress.

I don't want a warn glow or to feel I have made a difference, just want it to go to somebody who really deserves it.

What do you need to know that isn't in the OP, or in the linked posts, Piper?

Sandy usually works it out Piper. with the help of a bottle of gin

I think this is one of those where you just have to trust HQ on the matter if you want to donate. (Clearly, they can't breach privacy to tell you a whole load about the nominee other than the basic facts - but if you read some of the threads post donation, you would see that they're doing a sterling job in matching.)

If you nominate 2 people, do you also have to donate 2 gifts?

Otherwise HQ could end up with more names than gifts. Or am I completely bonkers and missing the point

No - nominations are totally separate from donations

As BIWI said - and remember that not only are there members who donate without nominating but also that nominations might be duplicated. It's all worked out in previous years.

Done.

First christmas on mumsnet have nominated and donated xx

Is there any way those of us who don't live in the UK can donate?

You certainly can marcopront - although I seem to recall that MNHQ prefer vouchers/internet orders from non-UK members simply to avoid logistical problems/shipping issues near Xmas. (I guess it depends where you live and what you were thinking of donating so if you were thinking about sending a tangible item, you may just need to be very clear on the donation form that you would need some good advance notice and why.)

SantaSandy or one of the other posters may comment on that so keep a weather eye on this thread.