Christmas has a habit of sneaking up with a lot of… well, stuff. We all love to be thought of, but there are ways to give that lift people up (instead of filling up landfill).
We’ve got a fresh list of Christmas charity donation ideas that you can start organising today. But first, let us introduce ours-elves — we have just the thing.
What’s Oxfam Unwrapped?
Before we dive into the Christmas donation ideas, meet the charity cards that make Christmas feel twice as good.
Oxfam Unwrapped is a punny collection of christmas gifts guaranteed to quack you up. Even better, they help fund Oxfam’s work tackling the root causes of poverty. Each card represents something meaningful like clean water, food security, women’s leadership or climate action, and supports projects that help communities build strong, lasting futures.
You can personalise your cards with your logo or message, send them as e-cards or printed cards, and yes, they’re tax-deductible. It’s festive giving with impact baked in. Like a Christmas pudding, but with fewer currants.
Okay, ready to make Christmas more meaningful and less clutter-full? Us, too.
Christmas charity donation ideas
Direct and in-kind giving
Let’s start with the easy wins — quick, meaningful gifts to make Christmas lighter on stuff and bigger on impact.
1. Christmas giving tree
A giving tree lets people pick a tag and donate to a cause instead of buying a gift. It’s simple, inclusive and looks great in any foyer or office corner. Keep things low-waste and put purpose front and centre.
Optional: Swap paper tags for Oxfam Unwrapped cards and you’ll have a tree that comes with puns that’d make dad proud.
2. Matched giving (workplace or family)
Matched giving doubles every donation — one gift becomes two. It’s quick and tidy. A brilliant way to make a bigger impact without any event planning. Does your team love efficiency almost as much as generosity?
3. Reverse advent calendar
Instead of opening chocolates, you add something each day. Maybe a small donation, a pantry item, or the cost of a treat you skipped. It’s a low-pressure way to build generosity into December without overthinking it.
4. Donate in someone’s name
Skip the “I hope they like it” guessing game and donate on behalf of someone who prefers purpose over presents. Thoughtful, tidy and always well received. You could pair it with a printed Unwrapped card so there’s still something fun to open.
5. Small-swap donation moment
Pick one tiny December treat and donate the cost instead. Think: a takeaway coffee, or a new decoration. It’s quick, flexible and lets people join in without committing to a full event.
6. Give an ethical charity gift through Oxfam Unwrapped
An Oxfam Unwrapped card is Christmas giving without the guesswork or the landfill guilt. You choose a card with a (hilariously punny) message, make a donation, and help fund projects that support clean water, food security, women’s leadership and climate action. All the impact, none of the re-gifting risk. You can also choose an ecard and make it an instant, zero-waste gift — like Santa, but digital.
Fundraising events
Ready to gather your people for some festive fun? These ideas bring connection and just the right dash of Christmas chaos — without buying anything that sheds glitter for the next six months.
7. Festive fun run or walk
A Christmas fun run is an easy way to raise Christmas charity donations. People contribute an entry fee, walk or jog a short route, and enjoy a bit of end-of-year sunshine together. No need for novelty costumes or store-bought props. Keep it climate-kind: think hats you already own, sunscreen, and a donation bucket at the finish line.
8. Ethical Christmas market
Host a small market with handmade, home-baked or upcycled goods. Visitors make a donation to enter or contribute through stall purchases. It supports creativity, minimises waste and keeps the focus on community over consumerism.
9. Fair-trade hot chocolate or coffee stall
Set up a cosy drinks station using fair-trade cocoa or coffee and ask for a gold-coin donation per cup. It’s low-effort and a great conversation starter about ethical sourcing.
10. Carol concert or community singalong
Invite neighbours, classmates or colleagues to a simple outdoor carol night and ask for a small donation at the gate. No big AV setup needed — just voices, candles-in-jars, and a few brave altos.
11. Christmas trivia or quiz night
Run a quick evening of festive trivia with donated prizes (or bragging rights). Charge a small fee to enter. It’s fun, light-hearted and works beautifully for schools, workplaces or neighbourhood groups.
12. Outdoor Christmas movie night
Project a film on a wall or bedsheet, ask for a donation per family, and encourage everyone to bring their own snacks and blankets. It’s one of the easiest ways to create a gentle, low-cost community moment.
13. Fair-trade or zero-waste bake sale
Sell homemade slices, cakes, biscuits or hot drinks — all made with local or fair-trade ingredients. It raises money, sparks conversation and avoids the packaging-heavy pitfalls of traditional stalls.
14. Sustainable craft workshop
Host a simple craft session using recycled paper, fabric scraps or natural materials to make decorations or cards. Ask for a donation to join and keep the atmosphere relaxed and creative.
Donation drives
Here are five ideas for Christmas charity donation drives — thoughtful, dignity-first drives that keep things respectful, useful and planet-friendly.
15. Second-hand book, toy or gift drive
A second-hand drive collects quality pre-loved items for organisations supporting families experiencing hardship. You can keep good things in circulation and avoid the waste of buying new. Always focus on choice and dignity. Only clean, excellent-condition items belong in the pile.
16. Nutritious Christmas food drive
Invite people to donate pantry staples, long-life items or culturally relevant foods that support households under pressure during the holidays. Think nutrition-focused, shelf-stable, and respectful of different tastes and traditions.
17. Period product or dignity drive
A dignity drive collects pads, tampons and other essential items so people can access what they need over the festive season. It’s simple to organise and goes a long way toward supporting health, confidence and participation.
18. Sustainable hamper drive
Instead of traditional hampers full of plastic-wrapped treats, people can contribute a few thoughtful, practical items (like fairtrade coffee, natural soap bars or beeswax wraps). It’s low-waste, useful and easy to tailor to the organisations you’re supporting.
19. Christmas pantry restock
Invite your community to help restock a local service’s pantry with staple items that families rely on year-round. Set up a small drop-off point and share a list of what’s most helpful. That way, there’s no guesswork, just practical care.
Workplace Christmas gift donation ideas
Finish the year with some purpose-led office fun. These ideas bring teams together, spark good conversations and avoid relegating another novelty mug to someone’s bottom drawer.
20. Donation-for-dress-up day
Swap office wear for something festive (or just comfy) and make a gold-coin donation to join in. No need for new costumes — just what people already own. It’s easy and cheerful. Add an Oxfam Unwrapped e-card as a prize for “best outfit recycled from the back of the cupboard.” Who wouldn’t love a goat for their efforts?
21. Charity luncheon instead of Secret Santa
Skip the panic buying and pool your Secret Santa budget for a team lunch where everyone donates instead. It keeps things social and meaningful (no novelty tie required).
22. Skill-share raffle
Everyone offers a skill (baking, bike fixing, plant watering, spreadsheet magic) and colleagues buy tickets to win each one. It’s surprisingly fun and personal. You never know who’s been keeping their inner Nigella on the downlow.
23. December payroll giving
This one’s an effective way to raise Christmas charity donations quickly. Encourage your team to donate a small amount directly from their December pay, on the proviso that your workplace will match contributions. It’s simple, but it makes a powerful impact.
24. Volunteering roster
Instead of a traditional party, some workplaces set up a December volunteering roster so staff can support local organisations together. It builds connection, morale and a sense of purpose to wrap up the year.
Family and community ideas
A handful of cheerful, low-waste ideas for neighbours, friends and families who want a little more heart and a little less “holiday leftovers” this year. Cozy, creative, and (thank goodness) clutter-free.
25. Kids’ art sale
Children create drawings, cards or mini masterpieces, and families donate to “buy” their favourites. It’s wholesome, low-cost and lets kids feel proud of contributing. Keep your materials simple — recycled paper, pencils, paint you already have.
26. Neighbourhood cookie jar swap
Everyone brings a jar filled with homemade biscuits, slices or festive snacks and donates a small amount to swap for someone else’s. It’s community-building and delicious.
27. Community gift-wrapping station (using recycled materials)
Set up a table with recycled paper, old maps, fabric scraps or brown paper and offer simple gift wrapping in exchange for a donation. It’s fun and creative. And a great way to show how good reuse can look.
28. Handmade decorations contest
Families or neighbours make ornaments from recycled or natural materials, then vote with small charity donations. It’s a joyful way to spark creativity and keep new plastic decorations out of Christmas. Optional: Offer a trio of Christmas chickens as the prize for the winning creation.
Ready to wrap things up?
Are you hoping to make Christmas feel a little lighter and a lot more meaningful? Oxfam Unwrapped is an easy place to start.
We work with communities around the world to fight the inequality that fuels poverty and respond to urgent humanitarian crises. That includes supporting clean water projects, helping people recover after disasters, and advocating for climate justice and First Peoples’ rights.
Each card funds work that helps people lift themselves out of poverty — and gives your loved ones (or your office) something to smile about.
Explore the full Christmas collection, wipe the floor with the famous Toilet Paper card, or keep the ideas flowing with our Secret Santa guide.
Give what matters. Skip what doesn’t. And enjoy a reel-y punny Christmas that does a little more good.
