Hi, could anybody please tell me exactly when (month, year) the donation collections transitioned from giving random prizes to allowing users to select from the contents? Thanks very much!

Pretty sure that started with the January 2009 Collection

Donation Presents are random. Collections let you choose. Just for future reference~

, @ Contradiction, Thank you both!

is right. IT was January 2009. You can get more info about it here: Donation Presents and Collections