Christmas is the season of giving, making it the absolute best time of year for fundraising. People are already in a generous mood, they are actively looking for gifts and festive experiences, and communities come together for events.
If your fundraising timeline covers the winter months, you must capitalise on the festive season. Here are 12 brilliant Christmas fundraising ideas.
1. The Gift Wrapping Station
Set up a gift-wrapping station at a local shopping centre, Christmas market, or even your school. Charge a few pounds per gift to wrap them beautifully. Use recyclable brown paper and festive twine for an eco-friendly (and cheap) aesthetic.
2. Make and Sell Reindeer Dust
A massive hit with primary school children. Mix porridge oats with edible glitter (make sure it's wildlife-friendly, not plastic!). Put it in small paper bags with a cute poem about sprinkling it on the lawn on Christmas Eve to guide Santa's reindeer. Sell them at school gates or local fetes.
3. Candy Cane Grams
Buy candy canes in bulk. Allow students at your school to buy a candy cane for 50p or £1 and attach an anonymous festive message. You then deliver them to the recipients during form time in the last week of term.
💡 TOP TIP: The Christmas Hamper Raffle
A luxury Christmas hamper is the ultimate raffle prize. Ask local businesses to donate festive treats (mince pies, wine, fancy chocolates, chutneys). Present it beautifully in a wicker basket wrapped in cellophane and sell tickets throughout December. This alone can raise hundreds of pounds.
4. Hire Yourself Out as a Christmas Elf
Offer your services to busy parents and neighbours in December. You can write Christmas cards, queue at the post office, decorate the tree, or do the festive food shop. Charge an hourly "Elf Rate".
5. Christmas Tree Collection Service
In early January, people dread the hassle of disposing of their real Christmas trees. Offer a collection service for £5-£10 per tree. You will need a parent with a van or trailer to help you transport them to the local recycling centre.
6. Organise a Santa Fun Run
Organise a 5k run in your local park where every participant must wear a Santa hat or full suit. Charge an entry fee and offer a hot chocolate and a mince pie at the finish line.
7. Hot Chocolate Reindeer Cones
Fill clear piping bags (cones) with hot chocolate powder, chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows. Tie the top with brown string, stick on some googly eyes and a red pom-pom nose, and sell them as "Reindeer Hot Chocolate".
8. Festive Sip and Paint Night
Host an evening event at a local hall. Charge a ticket price that includes a canvas, paints, and a glass of mulled wine (for the adults). Hire a local art teacher (or follow a YouTube tutorial) to guide everyone through painting a festive snowy scene.
9. Personalised Baubles
Buy plain, shatterproof baubles in bulk. Use a metallic sharpie or a Cricut machine to personalise them with people's names or "First Christmas 2026". These sell incredibly well on local Facebook groups.
10. Christmas Carolling
Get a group of friends together, print out some lyric sheets, and go door-to-door in your local neighbourhood singing carols. Bring a clearly labelled collection bucket. People are remarkably generous to carol singers.
11. Wreath Making Workshop
Forage for pine cones, holly, and evergreen branches. Buy wire wreath rings in bulk. Host a workshop where people pay to come and make their own Christmas wreath, providing the materials and some festive snacks.
12. The "12 Days of Christmas" Grand Raffle
Instead of one big draw, hold a raffle where a new prize is drawn every day for the 12 days leading up to Christmas. This builds incredible momentum and encourages people to buy multiple tickets.
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