It might feel early to be thinking about Christmas, but for charities and community groups, this is exactly the right time to start preparing. The festive season is consistently the UK’s busiest period for charitable giving, with research showing that almost a third of all annual donations are made in December (Charities Aid Foundation, 2024). That means now is the moment to get organised, so your campaign is ready to stand out when supporters are at their most generous.
Why Start Early?
- Everyone’s preparing at once. As fundraising specialists Forward Action note, December is when “everyone is asking at once” and early planning helps your message reach supporters before inboxes and social feeds get crowded.
- Good stories take time. Whether it’s a heartfelt video or a powerful photo, creating meaningful content is a process.
- Supporters are generous, but busy. GoDonate shows that single donations peak just before Christmas. Careful scheduling ensures you reach people at the right moment without overwhelming them.
Steps to Kick Off Now
Set your goal. Do you want to raise funds, recruit volunteers, showcase your impact, or provide a service for the community? Be clear from the start.
Choose your story. Campaigns work best when they are simple and emotional. Forward Action recommends hooks such as “Help a family feel at home this Christmas.”
Plan your timeline. Build momentum in November—taking advantage of Giving Tuesday on 25 November—and make your main appeal in early-to-mid December when donations peak.
Create your content. From supporter stories to volunteer spotlights, planning gives time to shape consistent, engaging content across all channels.
Seek partnerships. Local businesses often want to support community causes over Christmas, but many commit early. Starting conversations now could lead to sponsorship, matched giving, or shared promotion. Get in touch with VODA’s Sector Connector Coordinator to find out more Rachel.Sketheway@voda.org.uk.
Involve and Support Your Team
Your staff and volunteers are at the heart of any Christmas campaign. Early planning means you can check capacity and wellbeing before the busiest time of year. Spreading tasks out avoids last-minute pressure and helps keep energy levels high.
It’s also worth involving your team in shaping ideas. A simple planning session with staff, trustees and volunteers can spark fresh approaches. When people feel ownership of the campaign, they’re more engaged and motivated to promote it through their own networks.
Making It Easy to Book
If your campaign includes events that need advance booking, tools such as Ticket Tailor (up to 5K tickets per year free), Zeffy (fee-free for nonprofits), or TicketSource (UK-based with free options) can help manage RSVPs simply and affordably. Not every fair or carol concert needs advance tickets, but when it does, these platforms save time and reduce admin.
Spreading the Word
Promotion is just as important as planning. Alongside your own social media and newsletters:
- Encourage staff, trustees and volunteers to share with their networks.
- Ask partner organisations such as VODA, Living Well North Tyneside, and North Tyneside Council to amplify your events.
This multiplies your reach and helps your campaign connect with a wider audience.
Free Training to Help You Plan
Access practical guidance via free UK-based webinars:
- NCVO Small Charity Week sessions on digital campaign planning and audience engagement
- Benefact Group social media fundraising tips
Ideas to Add Impact
- Digital advent calendar with daily stories or holiday messages (Charity Digital).
- Festive events – Santa Dash, Christmas jumper challenge, or a “12 Days of Volunteering” theme (Crisis UK).
- Joint campaigns – Collaborate with other groups to share effort and reach a wider audience.
- Match funding – Participate in initiatives like The Big Give Christmas Challenge to double donations (The Big Give)..
- Creative twists – Reverse Advent Calendars, virtual Santa calls, Secret Santa for Good, “Alternative Black Friday” campaigns where supporters donate instead of spending on sales, or fun workshops like wreath-making.
Charity Digital describes Christmas as “a marathon with tinsel on”—busy but rewarding if the route is planned in advance. Visit the Charity Excellence 100+ Christmas Charity Fundraising Ideas for more.
Real-Life Inspiration: Crisis UK
Crisis UK supports fundraisers with a wide range of downloadable resources:
- Editable posters and social media graphics
- Quiz templates and bunting
- Impact posters showing how donations help
They also encourage creative events like cold-water challenges, craft sales and gaming marathons.
Even if you don’t have the resources for a full toolkit, free design platforms like Canva make it easy to create simple, shareable materials.
Local Touches Make All the Difference
In North Tyneside, Christmas is about more than fundraising—it’s about connection. From choirs in Whitley Bay to the Christmas Market in North Shields, festive events bring people together. Your campaign can reflect that same community spirit: whether supporting families, tackling isolation, or simply spreading kindness, grounding your campaign locally makes it more relatable and memorable.
Final Word
Christmas offers a special opportunity for charities, not just to raise vital funds, but to bring people together. By starting early, you give yourself the space to be creative and well-prepared. With the right planning, you can make a real difference this festive season.
This article was inspired by insights from Third Sector Network’s “Christmas Campaigns: Yes We Said Christmas… It’s Time to Plan.” It has been adapted to reflect the needs and context of charities and community groups in North Tyneside.
