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.'

tsk tsk, no gin for you Alice!
or did you get it wrong because you had been merrily sipping it?

D'oh, ok :(

Can I still donate though? :) Want to spread some Christmas cheer!

I've been an active, regularly posting member for a good few years now, regardless of what my username says. So if anyone wants to nominate me I'll give a big cheesy smile
and will try to think of someone to Secret Santa to.

Gosh, nearly missed this....thank goodness I got to nominate and donate before the deadlines!

Still luff this, after all these years

I was nominated the year before last and it was the most special and moving gift I had ever had. These days I nominate and donate and try to send vouchers for mners and 'things' for children if I am given an idea of their Christmas 'list'.

Can I just say that I very rarely see stickied threads. I use the app, and I go first to 'Threads I'm on' then to 'Topics' and the topics I tend to read. For some reason, on the Android app, the stickies don't show up at the top of, for example, the Chat thread when gone into this way. I could find them I think by clicking on something else, but I tend not to, so nearly missed this.

I am the same, Galena, I am missing lots of these sorts of threads for the same reason.

Oh this is so exciting. I feel festive already. Nominated and donating as we speak!

Morning

I bring you Santa Slug, something you didn't know you wanted, until now

@RatherBeOnThePiste

Morning

I bring you Santa Slug, something you didn't know you wanted, until now

HaHahaha. This has made my day!

I've nominated someone but I don't think we have the means to donate this year. We're just finding it really tough with DH's redundancy. I hope my nomination still stands though, this person really deserves it!

HEADS UP EVERYONE!
Today is your last chance to make a nomination. The nomination page closes at 3pm, oh yes.

You'll all be pleased to hear that DeckTheHallsWithAlice has now been allowed off the naughty step and back to full Elf duty (we ARE keeping a close eye on the festive gin though). And just to be clear, the MNer you wish to nominate does need to have been a member of MN for six months.

And remember the donation page is still open!

Of course it would stand. Nominations and donations are completely separate.

(And I hope things improve for you soon.)

Thanks, cozie!

Errr, there's been a giant misunderstanding here and both DeckTheHallsWithAlice AND SantaSandy are now fighting over the biscuits on the naughty step. No more gin for us (mainly SantaSandy)

You can make a nomination at any stage in your membership, there is no time limit.

So wanttobeamummy's nomination will stand? She'll be pleased.

Just don't feed gin to the spreadsheet like last year, eh?

**

Sorry...

Galena I think the 'hi' was cut off because SantaSandy needed a hiccup...from the gin.

[quote Galena]**

Sorry...

Hehehe, one of those days, eh? I sympathise.

But no just yet. Bit early for me, so I'm not giving it to anyone else!

@SagaNorensLeatherTrousers

Galena I think the 'hi' was cut off because SantaSandy needed a hiccup...from the gin.

Wooo that means my nomination and donation stand!

Bring on the Christmas cheer!

Thank you Sandy for doing this, am in awe

may I also bring up, again, that there should be a emoticon available.
it's been long overdue and would be a lovely gift for all on the Woolly Hugs threads. They deserve it! Especially Pistey & Knotty , they are just amazing!

so MNHQ Santa & Elves would you please grant this wish once and for all? Pretty Pleease?