Christmas is often described as “the season of goodwill” – and for charities, it’s one of the most important, and most demanding, times of the year.
Whether you’re an individual, a family, a community group or a business, partnering with charitable organisations over the festive season can make a real, practical difference to people who are struggling.
Here’s how to work with charities in a thoughtful, respectful and genuinely helpful way this Christmas.
Why Christmas Matters So Much to Charities
For many charities, Christmas brings:
Higher demand for support – from food banks and homelessness services to mental health and bereavement charities.
Increased public generosity – people are more inclined to donate, volunteer and support campaigns.
A chance to raise awareness – festive events and media attention can highlight issues that exist all year round.
But it can also mean:
Overstretched staff and volunteers
Pressure to “do more with less”
A surge of well-meaning offers that aren’t always practical
Working with charities, rather than just “doing something for Christmas,” is the key to making your support truly useful.
Step One: Choose the Right Charity Partner
Before you start planning events or collections, think about who you want to support. You might consider:
Local charities – food banks, community centres, shelters, youth clubs, animal rescues or local hospices.
Cause-based organisations – such as homelessness, children’s charities, mental health, older people’s support, or environmental groups.
Charities that reflect your values – for example, if you’re a food business, working with hunger or food waste charities can be a natural fit.
If you’re a business, consider asking staff or customers which causes matter to them most. A simple poll can help you choose a partner everyone feels enthusiastic about.
Ask “What Do You Actually Need?”
One of the most valuable questions you can ask a charity is:
“What would be most helpful for you this Christmas?”
They may say:
Specific items (for example, particular foods, toiletries, warm clothing, gift cards)
Unrestricted financial donations so they can fill gaps and plan ahead
Volunteer support at certain times and in certain roles
Help promoting a campaign or appeal
Instead of guessing, let the charity guide you. It saves them time, reduces waste, and makes your contribution more effective.
Ways to Support Charities Over Christmas
1. Fundraising with a Festive Twist
There are lots of ways to raise money in the run-up to Christmas:
Christmas jumper day at work or in your community group, with a small donation from everyone who joins in
Festive bake sale with mince pies, gingerbread and seasonal cakes
Christmas quiz or raffle night with donated prizes from local businesses
Sponsored festive challenge – anything from a Santa fun run to a sponsored “digital detox” day
If you’re a business, you could:
Donate a percentage of sales from a particular product or service
Run a “round-up at the till” option for customers
Offer to match employee fundraising up to a set amount
Just make sure any fundraising materials clearly state which charity you’re supporting and how the money will be used. Transparency builds trust.
2. Volunteering Your Time and Skills
Christmas is a busy time, so many charities welcome extra hands – but volunteer opportunities may be limited or fill up quickly. Think about:
Helping at events – fairs, collections, wrapping stalls, concerts, etc.
Using your professional skills – marketing, admin, IT, design, writing, bookkeeping, photography or social media support.
Remote support – some tasks can be done from home, which is helpful if you’re short on time or have mobility issues.
If you’re volunteering as a group from work or a club, ask about:
Group volunteering days
Practical tasks that can be completed in a few hours
Any safeguarding checks or training that might be required
Always contact the charity well in advance – turning up unannounced rarely helps when they’re already under pressure.
3. Donating Goods Thoughtfully
Christmas collections and donation drives are popular, but they work best when they are focused and organised. To support a charity properly:
Get a clear list of what is needed – sizes, types, deadlines, and anything they don’t want.
Think quality over quantity – clean, safe, in-date and in good condition.
Avoid dumping unwanted or broken items on charities “just to get rid of them.” Sorting unsuitable donations takes up valuable time and money.
You might:
Run a food bank collection in your workplace or school
Put together Christmas gift bags for children, older people or people in shelters (using the charity’s guidance)
Donate toiletries, pyjamas, hats, gloves, socks or blankets where requested
If you’re planning this as a business, you can encourage customers to join in by having a clear drop-off point and sharing updates on how much has been collected.
4. Supporting Charities Through Your Christmas Shopping
You can build charitable giving into your normal festive spending by:
Buying from charity shops – great for unique gifts, books, decorations and Christmas cards
Choosing charity Christmas cards and wrapping paper
Shopping with social enterprises and community projects that reinvest profits into local causes
Donating loyalty points or vouchers if your supermarket or retailer allows this
If you run a blog, social media page or small business, consider featuring gift ideas that support charities and explain how purchasing them helps.
5. Working with Charities as a Business
For businesses, Christmas can be a good moment to build longer-term relationships with charities. You could:
Adopt a “Charity of the Year” and use Christmas as your launch period
Invite a charity representative to speak to staff about their work
Create a joint campaign – for example, “buy one, we donate one,” or a festive product where a fixed amount goes to charity
Encourage volunteering by allowing staff volunteer hours or a dedicated “charity day”
If you’re using charitable work in your marketing, be honest and precise. Don’t exaggerate the impact or “charity wash” your brand. Clear statements such as “We will donate £X per item sold to [charity name]” are much better than vague promises.
Respect and Safeguarding
Working with charities, especially those supporting vulnerable people, comes with responsibilities:
Respect privacy and dignity – avoid taking photos of service users without permission, and follow any rules the charity has about photography or social media.
Follow safeguarding rules – children’s and vulnerable adults’ charities will have strict policies for volunteers. These are there to protect everyone.
Don’t create extra work – well-intentioned ideas that aren’t checked with the charity can actually add pressure rather than reduce it.
Always follow the charity’s lead; they know their community best.
Think Beyond Christmas Day
While Christmas is a focal point, many issues don’t disappear in January. If you can, try to:
Turn a one-off fundraiser into an annual event
Set up a monthly donation rather than a single gift
Stay subscribed to the charity’s newsletter to hear about future needs
Keep volunteering or supporting campaigns throughout the year
Your Christmas support might be the starting point for a long-term relationship that helps the charity plan ahead and provide steady support to the people who need it.
A Christmas Partnership That Truly Helps
Whether you’re organising a festive fundraiser, encouraging your workplace to support a local cause, or simply choosing where to donate this year, working closely with charitable organisations can make your Christmas more meaningful.
By listening to what charities actually need, being transparent with money and messaging, and remembering that the need continues long after the decorations come down, you can turn seasonal goodwill into something that lasts.
