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 lovely to see this ::warm glow::

Oh I love this time of year and reading all the threads afterwards when donations have been made. It's an amazing thing to do and so lovely to be part of it.
I was once nominated many years ago and it was amazing how lovely it made me feel and how much it cheered me up to know people could be so kind. I have never been nominated since (and am so glad that donations were made to much more deserving people), and despite having the shittiest year ever this year dad heart surgery, miscarriage for me, then dad being given months to live (yes i really am that unlucky), I want to donate and try to help somebody who is feeling equally as fed up in the hope it will help just to give them a little bit of happiness this Christmas.
This really is MN at its best.
I will nominate now, it's so hard to pick one person though when there are so many I want to nominate!

My nomination is in fingers crossed they get something.

Thank you Mumsnet, what a lovely idea.

Morning all,

A big hug and thanks to everyone answering questions on the thread. You all know your stuff!

Any doubts about how this all works please email [email protected]

I have a used John Lewis padded coat that's still in good condition (washed, smoke and pet-free house) - would this be acceptable?

Blue

From the FAQs in Sandy's opening post.

Secondhand toys/clothes are fine, too, but do really need to be in very good nick, please.

Your call, I guess, although you'd want to describe it well re size etc on the donation form.

Thank you, cozietoesie, should have done my own research .

Just wondering why this is not stickied on Active?
I only spotted it this year because it was on the side bar for a couple of days..... surely a higher profile would mean more opportunity for people to nominate/donate?

I was wondering why members weren't sent an email about it this year? There are lots of boards where it's not pinned and people might not notice a thread at the side - if it's there.

After the feedback we got from MNers about the Secret Santa we felt it important to take a more discreet route this year.
We've stickied the thread in Active and lots of other subjects, (we have a rolling system in Active now so it is possible to miss seeing it, but it does have a slot).
We also had it as a DOD for while and may do again, but we do refresh our DODs regularly.
We also included details of the Secret Santa in our Parenting News mailshoot last week.

I wondered if it might be something like that - fair enough. It wouldn't be good to have members feeling under any pressure whatsoever.

done. I'm hope the one I nominated will be chosen. she needs cheering up, big time

Zing, think we should of collaborated as I suspect we have both put the same person ! But I'm sure it doesn't matter.

I think I'm right in saying that everyone who is nominated gets something, Zing. And it doesn't matter if they're nominated more than once either.

This is a brilliant idea! New to mn this year, but this is fab, already nominated :D Will think of something to donate and sign up for that in a bit...

Is it ok to ask a question on here about donating. Will ask if told ok to do so.

It's fine, Hamandcheese - but maybe have a look at the FAQs first in case the answer is already there?

I can't see the answer on FAQ. Unless I have missed it so apologies.

Do we pick where the voucher is for or are we told where to buy the voucher for.

You choose

Thank you.

Do you have to be a member for 6 months to nominate someone? Or is it just the nominated recipient who has to be a member for 6 months? I have only been a member for 3 months but have nominated someone who has been a member for more than 6 months.

Also donated :)

I don't know, I'm afraid - maybe supplement the nomination with an email to [email protected] so that SantaSandy and the others can assess the particular situation? (And Sandy may always see your post tomorrow morning and comment directly on this thread.)

Hurrah! Have both nominated and donated - I was nominated a couple of years ago, which was as lovely as it was unexpected and I cocked up last year and missed the deadlines (I did the year before as well but I was still in post-baby-birth haze at that point, so wasn't really on the ball)

Apols all just heard back from SantaSandy and you do have to be a member for at least 6 months in order to nominate. Sorry for any inconvenience