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.'

Am I too late to nominate someone and donate? I've been meaning to do it but I'd not got around to it.

I think Donations are still live, Opies - but nominations closed at 3pm.

Here's the Donations form from the OP.

Bollocks...I didn't know it shut at 3pm...any chance you'd accept a late nomination??

I'm guessing they have to hold the line somewhere, IHope - what with matching, messaging all the nominees, notifying donors, posting etc etc etc, time will be pretty tight even though the end of October seems early.

I think this has given me my first tingling of festive cheer!

What a lovely idea! A friend of my sister's once sent me a gift out of the blue when I was having a really rough time (Hotel Chocolat chocs - woo hoo!) and it gave me a huge lift. I passed it forward to someone I loosely knew who was struggling a few months later.

I've donated, I'll have a think whether I have anyone to nominate.

Oops, nominations have obviously closed but I'm glad I got my donation in.

I've just had a message to say I've been nominated, heartfelt thanks for that. However, when I click on the link to give details, it says that the nomination detail bit is closed! Am I just being daft? Help!

Had the same wee.

Am I doing something wrong MNHQ?

Also made me cry...Having a shitty year and no idea who nominated me but that's made my month just to know someone cared enough to do that

Me too weebarra

Thank you to whoever nominated me, I've been on mN for years and years but never a frequent poster, so am really touched and chuffed. (Might even post a bit more now )

Same here wrt the link!

I am genuinely so touched that someone has nominated me! Total surprise this morning so thankyou thank you! To whomever you are

You'd think SandyMumsnet would lay off the gin long enough to post the correct link in emails! Sheesh!

So chuffed for all of you nominees. Can't wait to see what lovely things you all get (and deserve!).

Understanding and tolerance, Saga - she's having a hard week!

(Although I'll confess to waiting for the request to contribute to the HQ gin fund.)

Yes I had the same issue with the link

Feeling very proud & humble to have been nominated for my little contribution to Mumsnet, & a heartfelt thank you to who ever nominated me,
I am another who can't load my details ??

Thank you to whoever nominated me!

The link worked fine for me.

They should ask for your address, MyEmpire and basic information you're happy to have shared with the donor - number and ages of DCs for example.

(When they get the link working. )

link is working now. Or it is for me anyway

Worked for me too - thanks to whoever nominated me I'm not used to such random kindness !!

Link has worked for me.
Thank you again, whoever nominated me.

Thank you all, link is working now.