12 Days of Christmas Charity Ideas (+ 8 Bonus Ideas)

The Christmas season has become a time of year in which many charities thrive. People are generally more generous, and we see annual advertisements for giving.

However, developing original ideas that your employees will support can be difficult. If you are searching for ways to engage your team further and encourage them to give back this holiday season, here are 12 ideas for the “12 Days of Christmas” charity campaign.

These ideas can help you get your employees excited about giving back this winter season. The “12 Days of Christmas” is a popular carol about giving gifts on different days of December leading up to Christmas Eve. This year it will be on Mon, 25 Dec, 2023 – Fri, 5 Jan, 2024. Each day features a different gift and something new. The idea behind this list is that you can use it as inspiration for a different charity every day before Christmas.

12 Days of Christmas Charity Ideas:

Day 1: Coats for the Cold

One of the most basic elements of winter is the cold weather, so why not use this to your advantage in some charitable ways? You can collect new or used coats and drop them off at your local charity’s office or host a coat drive, where employees can sign up to participate in this charitable cause.

You can also hold a coat drive online and encourage your customers and clients to donate any old coats they might have lying around in their closets. An outlet for these coats will make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

If you want to take your coat drive a step further, you can also host a coat drive contest, where employees can sign up to be a part of collecting these coats and make it more fun. You can then donate all the coats to a local charity or shelter and help get these coats out into the world where they can do some good.

Day 2: Christmas for a Child

Another great charity event you can host is a Christmas for a Child event. During this event, you can do a gift wrapping or present unwrapping event, where employees can wrap and/or unwrap gifts for a child in need.

This can be done at your office or at a shelter for local less fortunate children—with a twist! You can invite your employees and clients to participate in this event and make this gift-giving more personal.

You can also do a gift donation drive and host a toy drive at your office or organize your employees and clients to donate gifts to a local charity. This will really make a huge difference in the lives of those less fortunate and show that someone is thinking of them this season.

Day 3: A Nice Hot Meal

If you’re looking for a less expensive charity event, you can host a nice hot meal event. During this event, you can host a potluck lunch or dinner where you and your employees cook a meal that can be shared with a local shelter or charity.

You can also host a food drive or a food collection event, where employees collect non-perishable food items to donate to a local food bank. This will help those in need who are less fortunate during the holiday season and will also be greatly appreciated.

Day 4: A Warm Bed

If you’re looking for an event that can be done online and help those less fortunate have a warm, cozy bed for the holiday season, you can host a bedding or blanket drive.

You can host this drive on your company’s website or social media or organize employees and clients to donate their used bedding and blankets. This will make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate and help you clean out your closets a bit!

Day 5: Games for the Kids

If you’re looking for a more fun and interactive charity event, you can host a game drive, where you collect board games, card games, puzzles, etc., to donate to a local charity with children. Having these games will make a difference in these kids’ lives and be great to have during the holiday season without having to spend too much money on them!

Day 6: A Secret Santa Charity Event

Another great way to interact with employees and clients during the holiday season is by hosting a Secret Santa charity event.

With this event, everyone brings a gift worth a certain dollar amount and then signs up as a “secret Santa” for someone else in the office. All gifts are then donated to a local charity and given to those who are less fortunate.

This will help bring joy to those less fortunate and be a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Day 7: Adopt a Family for the Holidays

If you’re looking for a more traditional charity event that will help those less fortunate during the holiday season, you can host an Adopt a family holiday event.

With this event, you can sign up to adopt a family in need through your local charity organization and then host an event where your employees and clients can donate gifts for these families.

This will make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate during the holiday season and will also let you directly impact their lives!

Day 8: Wrapping Paper and Presents for a Family in Need

If you’re looking for an alternative to the Adopt a family event, you can host wrapping paper and presents for a family-in-need event. With this event, you collect gift wrapping paper and small presents (from toys to hygiene products) to donate to a needy family through your local charity organization.

Having the ability to gift these families presents and wrapping paper will really make a difference in their lives during the holiday season.

Day 9: Go on a Group Shopping Trip for Homeless Shelters

You can host a group shopping trip for homeless shelters. With this event, you bring employees and clients together and host a group shopping trip where everyone shops for presents for a homeless shelter.

This is a great way for everyone to be creative and get the shopping season started early while helping those less fortunate at the same time.

Day 10: Blanket & Mitten Drive

Blanket & Mitten Drive During the winter, many charities host clothing and blanket drives. This is a great idea for employees to participate in and is a great way to help those in need.

Blankets and winter clothing are something many people do not have but are essential in cold weather. Employees can donate new and used items throughout December if they choose to host a blanket and winter clothing drive.

Day 11: Christmas Dinner for Seniors

Many charities host dinners for seniors during Christmas time. This is a wonderful way for employees to contribute. Hosting a Christmas dinner for seniors is easy and can be done in a few ways.

Organize your team and collect enough money to host a Christmas dinner for local seniors. You can also ask employees to bring food to the event or donate money to host a dinner.

Day 12: Service Animal Outreach

Service animal outreach is another great way to help people in need this holiday season. Many organizations care for service animals, such as dogs, that are trained to assist people with disabilities.

If you have employees who are animal lovers, this is a great way for them to get involved in charity work. Employees can collect items for service animal programs, like food, treats, or money to donate to these organizations.

Here are some more charity ideas for the 12 days of Christmas:

After-School Program

Many charities host after-school programs for children who are in need. After-school programs are usually offered after school hours to children who are struggling in school or at risk of dropping out.

Organizing your team to host an after-school program for kids in need is a wonderful way for your employees to get involved. Employees can collect money or use supplies for after-school programs.

Orphanage/Childcare Centre

An orphanage or childcare center is a great charity idea for the holiday season. Many charities host fundraisers for children living in these types of programs.

Hosting an orphanage or childcare center fundraiser is a great way for your employees to get involved in charity work. Employees can collect donations, hold bake sales, or host fundraisers at work.

Women’s Shelter/Domestic Violence Center

During the holiday season, many women’s shelters and domestic violence centers receive a surge in donations. This is a great time for your employees to host a charity event and collect donations for these types of organizations.

Hosting a fundraiser for a local women’s shelter or domestic violence center is a great way for employees to get involved in charity work. Employees can collect donations or host a fundraising event.

Homeless Shelter/Transitional Housing Program

A transitional housing program or a homeless shelter is another great charity idea for the 12 days of Christmas.

Many charities host fundraisers for homeless shelters. Homeless shelters are places that offer services and support to people who are homeless.

Food Drive

Food drives are another popular charity event during the holiday season. A food drive is a great way to help families and individuals in need, especially those who cannot afford a full Christmas dinner.

Employees can collect food items throughout December and then donate those items to a local food bank or pantry. You can use a company hashtag for these food drives and ask your employees to promote the drive online, too.

Toy Drive

Many charities host toy drives during the holiday season, especially during the 12 days of Christmas, which can be a great way for your team members to get involved.

Employees can host toy drives at their offices or communities and collect new or used toys in excellent condition.

Toy drives for children in foster homes, children in the hospital, or even kids who may be without family this holiday season can be a great way to make the holidays special for kids in need.

Homeless Outreach

Homeless outreach can be done year-round but is sometimes overlooked during the holiday season.

If your employees want to help the homeless, this is a great way to do so. Employees can collect items like warm clothing, blankets, hats, gloves, and hygiene items and then donate them to a local shelter or outreach program.

The Final Day

For the final day of your “12 Days of Christmas” charity campaign, you can choose a charity that is near and dear to your heart. You can collect donations or host a fundraising event for a charity in your area that you care about.

For example, you may want to donate to your child’s school or your local hospital. This way, your employees can have a personal connection to the charities they are supporting.

No two charities are created equal, and you can select the right charity for you and your team members.

Final thoughts

For most people, the holidays mean spending time with family and friends, eating delicious food, decorating, and giving back to those less fortunate.

However, the holiday season can also be hectic, filled with shopping, parties, travel, and other obligations. If you are looking for ways to slow down and enjoy the season, consider participating in a charity campaign that gives back to your community.

Many charities host clothing and blanket drives, food drives, toy drives, and even meals for seniors or the homeless during the holiday season and during the 12 days of Christmas. By getting involved in one of these charity drives, you can be sure that you are helping those in need.