The best ways to donate to charity this Christmas

Wondering what you can do for charity this Christmas? We’ve got ten rewarding ways you can make a difference with a charity donation this festive season.

Big or small, your Christmas charity donations can enact real, positive change. Here are ten ideas of how you can make a difference this festive season.

1. Donate money

If you want to give back this Christmas and beyond, you can set up a monthly donation online. This will help to create real, lasting change for those living in ongoing crises, whether at home or overseas. This could be providing essentials like food, clean water, and medical aid in emergencies or supporting refugees with friendly advice, financial help, and emotional support.

To give a special, one-off Christmas gift that makes a difference, make a single donation online today. You can donate to our general charity appeal, where your money will go towards supporting people wherever the need is greatest. Or, if you have a specific cause close to your heart, you can choose one of our current appeals.

If you want to donate on behalf of someone else as a Christmas charity gift, try our virtual giving range. Donate to your chosen cause and we will send a greeting card or e-card explaining your generous donation, with space inside for your message. 

• Make a Christmas charity donation 
• Make a Christmas charity donation as a gift

2. Christmas volunteering

If you have some spare time on your hands this December, you can make a huge difference by joining us as a volunteer. No matter how much time you have to give or the level of commitment you’re able to make, we have Christmas volunteering opportunities to suit everyone.

Whether you’re providing essential aid as an emergency response volunteer or working in a Red Cross charity shop, volunteering at Christmas can be a really rewarding experience.

• Explore volunteering opportunities near you with the Red Cross today.

3. Donate in memory of a loved one

While Christmas is about celebration and festivities, it’s also a special time to remember those we’ve lost. With the Red Cross, you can honour the life of a loved one by making a Christmas charity donation in their memory. You can do this by giving a one-off donation, arranging a funeral collection, or by fundraising in their memory.

• Donate in memory of someone and continue their legacy through our humanitarian work.

5. Online charity gifts for Christmas

Alternatively, for unique handmade crafts and stocking fillers galore, you can browse our online Christmas gift shop. All profits made from our gift shop and charity shops go directly towards our ongoing efforts in the UK and across the world, so you can be sure you’re giving a gift that does good. 

You can also spread Christmas cheer with our Christmas cards and decorations. Our Designed by Refugees baubles are the perfect addition to any tree. 

If you're looking for meaningful gifts, try our Virtual Charity Christmas Gifts. Pick a cause close to your heart, choose your donation amount and we'll send an e-card or real card to the person who you donated on behalf of to tell them about your generous donation. 

• Visit our online gift shop for Christmas presents and more.

6. Throw a Christmas bake sale

There’s no denying that one of the best parts of Christmas is enjoying scrumptious festive food, so what better way to spread cheer than by hosting a charity Christmas bake sale?

By whipping up and selling some classic Christmas goodies at a Red Cross Tea Party, you can raise money to support people all over the world living in crisis. Throw a festive bake sale with us and receive your free tea party pack, which will tell you everything you need to know about putting on an event to remember. 

• Register your Christmas bake sale here

7. Sign up to challenge event

Looking for a resolution that might stick? Taking on a challenge event near you with the Red Cross is the perfect opportunity to commit yourself to trying something new and raising money for a worthy cause.

What about signing up for the Brighton Marathon or the Great North Run? If that doesn’t appeal to you, kickstart your charity fundraising with streaming and gaming. You can support vulnerable people by going live, and doing what you love.  

• Find out more about gaming and streaming for the Red Cross.

8. Enter our charity Christmas raffle

One of the simplest ways to give back this festive season is to enter our Christmas raffle.

Not only is your donation making a difference to the people who need it most, but you’re also in with the chance of winning one of our exciting prices of up to £1,000. Enter today for as little as £1.

10. Donate Christmas presents

As the Christmas season draws to a close, you may find yourself overrun with too many decorations or the odd unwanted Christmas present. Whether it's a jumper that doesn't quite fit, or you've received the same present twice, don’t let it go to waste. Instead, donate to your local Red Cross charity shop and let us find them a new home.

Your donation doesn’t just have to be unwanted Christmas presents, the holidays are the perfect time to have a proper sort-out. We’d love any preloved clothes, books, electronics, furniture, or toys. Find out more about donating items to our charity shops today.

However you decide to donate to charity this Christmas, there’s no better way to embrace the true spirit of the season than to help those who need it most. Give a gift that makes a difference this year when you donate to the British Red Cross.

• Donate to charity this Christmas