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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

What's happening with the MN Christmas Appeal this year?

70 replies

ThomasRichard · 14/09/2015 13:46

I know last year there was some sort of consultation thread - what was the outcome and how does it affect plans for this year?

OP posts:
GloriaHotcakes · 14/09/2015 20:35

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ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 14/09/2015 20:41

Perhaps instead of doing the traditional Xmas appeal (which many have pointed out could have issues this year) people could donate money/vouchers/gifts/whatever to a nominated charity/charities (refugees?) instead? That way people could still get the warm fuzzies from giving, people in need would still be helped, and no-one would have to give out personal addresses?

Sparklingbrook · 14/09/2015 20:42

I agree Gloria.

AsTimeGoesBy · 14/09/2015 20:43

I'm afraid I don't want to get involved this year, I didn't last year either after all the threads about missing gifts, moaning about unjust nominations etc and hackergate has only made things worse. I would nominate to a charity in lieu of it though.

AsTimeGoesBy · 14/09/2015 20:43

I mean donate.

Simurgh · 14/09/2015 20:52

ItsAllGoingToBeFine

That sounds quite good, actually. I think there are some charitable causes - eg Women's Aid - that might take gifts as well as cash donations?

BIWI · 14/09/2015 20:56

Surely not doing it will be giving into Jeffrey?

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 14/09/2015 21:04

Could we have a situation where the thanks were sent by email or PM or letter to MNHQ who then passed them onto the sender. Basically keep things totally off the boards.

Not sure what can be done about the usual suspects turning up with their annual sob stories apart from ignore them

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 14/09/2015 21:05

Ps - I agree that charitable donations would be better

Simurgh · 14/09/2015 21:05

You could argue that, BIWI - but I suspect that there are some extra concerns this year because of recent events and if the Xmas Giving were to be a damp squib because of them, Jeffrey and the Fan Club could chortle on those grounds alone.

I know that there have been some issues raised in previous years so maybe the time is in any case ripe to re-consider the arrangements?

BIWI · 14/09/2015 21:42

I'm sure there are extra concerns, Simurgh!

hazeyjane · 14/09/2015 21:47

I found last years secret santa seemed to have lost some of it's sparkle tbh, I can't put my finger on why, it just all seemed a bit formal in a

'Mumsnetter 465390 has given some vouchers to Mumsnetter 876529'

'Mumsnetter 876529 would like to thank Mumsnetter 465390'

GloriaHotcakes · 14/09/2015 21:52

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tribpot · 14/09/2015 21:53

we can see name changes so we can still match that way.

Quite a few MNers have re-registered rather than name changed, though. Not least because they couldn't get back into their old accounts.

I do think something charitable would be better, for any number of reasons.

MrsJorahMormont · 14/09/2015 22:00

I never managed to get reading the thank you threads but am very happy to give a gift again this year BUT I agree with other posters that it will be tricky to know who is who when lots of people have re-registered. Equally though I don't want the Christmas appeal to be buggered up by twattish hackers / trolls. So I'm happy to give a gift and if it means a troll gets a gift off me, then so be it, because I'd be hoping someone who deserves it will be getting it.

SouthWestmom · 14/09/2015 22:45

What I liked about the appeal was that it wasn't just hard luck stories, but thanking kindness or hard times. Maybe categories would work - you wouldn't know which one you were in but you could nominate under a category.

tigerscameatnight · 15/09/2015 11:40

I was nominated last year.
Not a chance I would give my address this year unless the gifts were sent to MNHQ to be sent out again.

Lots of people have dereg and re registered.

Let's face it anyone could offer to send a gift, get your name , address and some family details and not send anything

Sparklingbrook · 15/09/2015 11:43

Do you have to have been around for a year to send a gift as well as receive?

glenthebattleostrich · 15/09/2015 11:47

Jeremy and the bridge dwellers won't stop me spreading Christmas cheer. I'm very happy to send a gift and can think of some wonderful people on here who deserve a little treat.

Xmas Grin
LockedBox · 15/09/2015 12:24

People have to have been around for 12 mths or more to be nominated (you can nominate anyone and we will have a look) and we can see name changes so we can still match that way

I'd just like to point out that I started a whole brand new account after heartbleed, and again after JefferyGate. So as far as MNHQ are concerned I would be a new user - not that I would be nominated as I'm barely here these days - but I think it's an important point to consider.

LockedBox · 15/09/2015 12:27

Because - sorry, sort of lost my train of thought there - couldn't I just nominate my old account/name and MNHQ wouldn't know any different?

Toughasoldboots · 15/09/2015 12:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CMOTDibbler · 15/09/2015 12:35

I think I would rather donate items to a collection for Womens Aid or another charity who would like clothes/toys/books than individuals

Sparklingbrook · 15/09/2015 12:39

So newly joined trolls can send 'gifts' to people?

JugglingFromHereToThere · 15/09/2015 12:42

I sent a gift one year but it didn't arrive. I think I managed to let the person know on one of the threads. But it was all a bit of a muddle and put me off joining in again. It's very like a Secret Santa at work really isn't it? I have very mixed feelings about those too. It's all just a bit complicated for me