Oh the weather outside is frightful,
but Mumsnetters are so delightful,
since we've no place to go,
let gifts flow, let gifts flow, let gifts flow...
Yes, folks, it's that most wonderful time of the year: the day we launch the Mumsnet Secret Santa! True, it's only the end of September, but Santa requires plenty of time to prepare his sleigh 
Secret what, you say? You mean you don't KNOW? Grab a snifter of gin and a cinnamon danish and come sit by us while we tell you all about it.
The way it works is this: we ask Mumsnetters to nominate a fellow Mumsnetter* - someone who's had a tough time recently, perhaps, or someone who has been a fantastic source of support to others - to receive a Christmas gift. At the same time, we also ask for gift donations. Once the nominations and donation offers have come in, we at MNHQ match nominees with donors, and contact the donors to tell them where to send their gifts. Et voila: Merry Christmas, everyone.
And just to be clear: this really is a SECRET Santa. Thanks to our tinselled-up tech team, everyone who takes part in the process is anonymous: special Christmas codenames are assigned at the start to both nominee and donor. Neither the team working on matching up nominees to donors nor the donor sending out the present will have anyone's name or username details, and only those who donate will see the address (and only the address - not the username) of the nominee they've been matched with. Security is our number one priority - if you've any questions or concerns, please do ask on the thread (or email us at [email protected]).
But back to the gifts. This year we've created a special
Secret Santa Christmas grotto
where you'll find all the information you need on how to get involved, an explanation of how this annual feat of logistical wonderment works, and an account of how it came about in the first place.
The grotto is also the place where you can make your nomination (at any time between now and October 15th ) and/or pledge to donate (up until 30th October). There are more details about what sort of thing you might wish to give over there too (vouchers are always a good idea), but basically, every gift is welcome. The idea is to spread some festive cheer and make a Mumsnetter's Christmas that little bit more joyful by showing them that they're in your thoughts.
Now, if you'll excuse us, we have something in our eyes.
*Nominated Mumsnetters do need to have been around for six months. We'll be able to see from our end if that's the case, even if they've namechanged.