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Updated November 2021
Halloween and Bonfire Night are behind us, which can only mean one thing; the countdown to Christmas is on. Black Friday (26th November this year) is generally regarded as the start of the Christmas shopping season. But what does that mean for you if you are in the third sector? If you haven’t already, it’s time to start your festive fundraising! From donation requests to socially responsible gift ideas, here are 12 ideas for your 2021 Christmas appeal.
Whether it’s a shoebox, hamper, or individual item drop off scheme, this can be a great way to source both vital supplies for those in need over Christmas and luxury items to spread some festive joy for those who may otherwise go without on Christmas day. Recipients can include families, children, care home residents or even four-legged friends.
Does your charity sell items? With many people having a variety of Christmas presents to buy, offering ideas with a range of prices is ideal for stocking fillers, Secret Santa, the postie, etc. WWF has a green Christmas gift guide showcasing the range of products they sell, making perfect gifts for Christmas.
Alternatively, a larger gift idea could be a year’s sponsorship or adoption fees if this is relevant to your charity. Several charities offer this as a gift package. For example, The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association offer a fridge magnet & then a calendar at the end of the year.
With more and more people valuing experiences over physical possessions as gifts, this could be a perfect present if you offer a membership scheme. For example, National Trust provides a range of membership options. Not only does this cover entry fees, but there are also updates throughout the year and a £15 gift card to spend in the café or gift shop.
If you offer a subscription or box scheme, this could make a great gift idea, especially if you have a Christmas theme in December. The Blurt Foundation BuddyBox is a fantastic example of this, offering a variety of options. (Disclaimer: The Blurt Foundation are Rigorous Digital’s Charity Partner, and we think they are great!)
Does your charity have a Christmas card on sale? Many charities offer this, including Cancer Research UK. Alternatively, with the rise in conscientiousness around reducing our carbon footprints, another increasingly popular option is sending an eCard with a donation made to a chosen charity instead of a traditional greetings card. You could sign up to offer this in aid of your charity at don’t send me a card.
Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la! Do you sell Christmas decorations that include a charity donation? Could people make some which you could then sell to support your charity? Whether it’s tree decorations, hanging garlands or table decorations, Oxfam has some fantastic options as inspiration.
Isn’t this the obligatory gift every year! From advent calendars to wall planners, RNLI has got a range of designs to choose from. You could even put together a bundle of a wall organizer, pocket diary, and pen.
Who doesn’t love a Christmas Competition? There really is something for everyone, from a raffle to a best Christmas Jumper Contest or even an Elfie Selfie. The British Heart Foundation has some fantastic prizes up for grabs in their Christmas raffle. However, there is no reason you couldn’t do this on a much smaller scale with donations from local businesses in your area, such as a meal for two, perhaps?
Asking for a specific amount to cover a cost makes the impact tangible for the supporter. Ideas include reserving a place for a Christmas meal or buying a Christmas present for someone in a difficult time. Some people make monetary donations instead of sending Christmas cards, so you could even offer a way to show that they have donated instead of sending Christmas cards this year.
Do you need volunteers over the festive period? It could be help at a food bank, animal shelter, charity shop or with a Christmas event. You can list opportunities and find volunteers on the do-it website.
Could you host a Christmas event to raise funds for your charity? Perhaps a fete, carol service, or bake sale? With many events on hold last year, this could be a great way to spread some festive cheer.
Christmas is the time for giving and the season of goodwill. Hopefully, this has given you some ideas for your festive fundraising to end 2021 triumphantly. We wish you a Merry Christmas and all the best for a prosperous 2022.
Rigorous Digital is a Digital Marketing Agency based in Cheltenham, UK, servicing an international client base. Third Sector websites are one of our specialisms. If you would like any support with your WordPress website, please get in touch.