The Mumsnet Secret Santa - donations needed!

[ChristmasKateMumsnet]

HO HO HO!

We hope you've seen the thread started by SantaSandyMumsnet about this year's Mumsnet Secret Santa, and if you're anything like us, you'll be full to the brim with festive good will and excitement about the whole thing

We've now closed the nominations page - a huge thank you to everyone who has got involved so far. At the moment we're about 50 donations short, so that's why we're asking everyone to put on their Christmas thinking caps, and see if there's anything they can contribute.

If you're not in the position to donate then do not worry at all - we quite understand that not everyone can. If you feel able to, you can make your donation here. Donations usually come in around the £10 mark, but anything above or below this is still very much welcome. Any gift big or small, second hand or new, is truly treasured - and will make a big difference to someone's Christmas.

Thank you again to everyone who has nominated and donated - we've got a feeling this is going to be one of the best years yet

I would love to donate to a local Northern Ireland mum if possible, just let me know somewhere near Belfast or newry

I've just donated, but was a bit irritated that there is not an option for saying either when it comes to donating a toy that is suitable for a boy or girl. I left it on anyone, but that is a bit vague as it's a toy and therefore for a child.

georgie, if that doesn't work for MNHQ, why don't you look for a local refuge to donate the toys to? I've recently done that with a whole load of toys and dress-up stuf and they seemed very grateful.

Nora, is it vital that it goes to a boy or girl? Surely toys are unisex?

Sorry, Nora, just re-read your post and I think you mean the opposite of what I thought you meant!

A good idea, MrsWembley.

I offered books (new) but heard nothing so assumed they were not wanted.

MNHQ are you still looking for donations - several people seem t be suggesting that they are not getting replies to their offers of donations.

hagarthorne this year? I don't think they've done the matching yet; they just know that they've not got enough donations to match the number of nominees.

I am sure I registered but I haven't had a reply?

I think that many (if not all) donors haven't had one yet so I'd guess that they're sweating away at the matching. (Not a job I'd fancy!) Maybe leave it for a little longer - or until you see from the threads that others all seem to have been acknowledged and you haven't?

How many more donations are needed?

I'd love to donate but I don't actually have anything spare - I was thinking of going out and buying something. If HQ are having trouble with too few donations/matching people up, I'd be happy to go and buy something with some sort of criteria rather than just picking up what I fancy.

Yep, I think they've gone 'Ok, we've got 1290 nominations and only 1240 offers to donate, we'll drum up more support...'

They haven't yet started with the whole 'A can send to B and C can send to D' yet - so the donors won't yet have their emails.

I'm glad this popped up, I had forgotten about donating but just looked in the room of many items and found a couple of things

this is my first year so hoping I don't mess it up

Erm, forgive me for being a bit thick but how do hq know who we are to match up with a recipient? There's no slot for 'name' on the form

They match donations to 'wants' lucy, rather than to people.

So if you were nominated HQ would contact you and ask you what sort of age ranges lived in your house, whether you want something for you or for your DC. They'd cross reference your response with a spreadsheet of donations and find something suitable for you.

aaaah, ok then, I think...but how do they know who offered it?

(my brain's struggling with this one )

Ghost I just said that I am fortunate enough to be able to spend up to a certain amount, whether that is on one or more individuals, or on a family gift. I hope that whoever I get will be ok with that?

Because you're logged in - they already know who you are.

oh! That's clever!

My mind's still a bit boggled by it but I'll crack on

If you fill out the form lucysmam that KateMumsnet linked to, when you submit it, it will arrive at the other end with your name on. I think it is a bit like replying to an email... It will have your name and return address on.

I was getting worried that my donations hadn't been received!

I'll keep a look out for an email next week.

I feel all Christmassy now

I have a question about this. I have been a recipient of MN secret Santa several years ago myself and oh my word it made my Xmas! I just wondered if anyone coudl tell me if you buy something random and it gets matched or if you can buy with a parent or child from the recipient list in mind.

What I mean is, can you get told 'buy a present for a boy aged 7 who likes cars' or do you have to send something and let it get matched?

Does this make sense. I'm hoping I can buy with someone in mind (obv. don't need to kno who exactly) as I am quite bad at choosing otherwise.

Thanks

Hardy.

I think 4. on the FAQs covers that one, Ahardyfool. MNHQ should give you any basic details they've been OK'd to share when they give you the address (eg No and ages of DCs.)