12 Simple Fundraising Ideas to Raise More This Christmas

The festive season is a time for generosity, connection, and celebration. It’s the perfect moment to raise funds for a great cause. Whether you’re planning a charity dinner, school fair, or community campaign, there are endless ways to inspire giving and spread joy.

Here are 12 creative and achievable Christmas fundraising ideas to help you make the most of the season, with a few ways that Givergy’s fundraising tools can make each one easier to run.

1. Host a Christmas raffle or prize draw

Few things build excitement like the chance to win a prize while supporting a good cause. Offer donated gifts, hampers, or unforgettable experiences.

A fundraising platform can help you manage ticket sales, draw winners automatically, and stay fully compliant.

👉 Tip: Givergy’s online raffle system lets you sell tickets, process payments, and notify winners instantly. It’s perfect for quick, festive fundraising.

2. Run a “Secret Santa” auction with a twist

Forget the standard auction. This year, try a Secret Santa Auction where supporters bid on mystery prizes. Each listing gives just a small hint such as “something that sparkles,” “a gourmet indulgence,” or “an unforgettable experience.”

People love the anticipation of the unknown, and you can source donated gifts easily from sponsors or local businesses. Reveal the prizes live at your event or online when the auction closes.

You can host the entire thing online with countdown timers, automatic notifications, and even cheeky “hint drops” through your campaign page. It’s fun, unpredictable, and perfect for spreading festive cheer while raising serious funds.

3. Launch a “12 Days of Giving” challenge

Turn the run-up to Christmas into a series of joyful giving moments. Share a new story, prize, or challenge each day for 12 days, such as unlocking a mini raffle, highlighting a volunteer, or setting a short donation goal.

Scheduling daily updates through your fundraising page or social channels keeps supporters checking back and builds momentum right up to Christmas Eve.

4. Add festive donation options to your website

Encourage small acts of kindness by creating Christmas-themed donation tiers such as “Gift a meal for a family” or “Spread warmth this winter.”

Show donors exactly how their contribution helps by pairing each amount with a short impact story and a festive image. Personalised storytelling turns one-time givers into loyal supporters.

5. Include a 50/50 draw at your holiday event

If you’re hosting a Christmas concert, gala, or party, a 50/50 draw is a quick and easy way to raise extra funds. Half of the proceeds go to your cause and the other half to one lucky winner.

With automated draw tools, you can sell tickets, track totals, and announce the winner live. It’s a simple addition that brings instant excitement and extra income to your campaign.

6. Celebrate with a Christmas jumper day

Whether it’s at school, in the office, or across your community, invite everyone to show off their most outrageous Christmas jumper and make a small donation to take part.

Turn it into a friendly competition by encouraging people to vote for their favourites. Donations can double as “votes,” which helps you raise even more while keeping things light-hearted.

7. Offer “gifts that give back”

For those who prefer giving meaningful presents, set up a donation option where supporters can give in a loved one’s name. Send them a thank-you email or digital card they can share as a thoughtful, sustainable Christmas gift.

8. Build an interactive “Giving Advent Calendar”

Turn your fundraising page into an advent calendar filled with generosity. Each day leading up to Christmas, unlock a new giving opportunity such as a small raffle, a thank-you video, a story from your beneficiaries, or a donation match challenge.

Supporters return daily to see what’s behind the next door, creating anticipation and ongoing engagement throughout December. You can even hide surprise prizes or discount codes from your corporate partners behind a few of the doors.

Givergy’s campaign scheduling tools and flexible content layouts make it easy to pre-set your reveals and keep the experience interactive. Each small daily act adds up to a big holiday impact.

9. Host a Christmas concert or quiz night

Bring people together for an evening of festive fun. Whether it’s a carol concert, quiz, or comedy show, combine entertainment with an opportunity to give.

Sell tickets in advance, run an auction or raffle on the night, and use your fundraising site to collect donations before, during, and after the event.

10. Introduce festive flash auctions

Keep your audience engaged by releasing short, surprise auctions throughout December. You might list one special item each day for a limited time.

Time-limited listings, countdown clocks, and mobile alerts turn smaller auctions into exciting moments that encourage repeat visits and friendly competition.

11. Combine Giving Tuesday with your Christmas appeal

Use the momentum of Giving Tuesday (the first Tuesday after U.S. Thanksgiving) as the perfect launchpad for your festive campaign.

Kick off a raffle, open an auction, or start a donation challenge, then carry that energy straight through to Christmas. Supporters are already in a giving mindset; you just need to meet them there.

12. End the year with a live “Gratitude Gala”

Instead of a standard thank-you post, host a Gratitude Gala to celebrate your community’s impact.

Think of it as part celebration, part storytelling event. Share highlights from the year, showcase what donations have achieved, and invite beneficiaries or volunteers to speak. Keep it light, warm, and joyful, and consider including a live draw or a final auction for good measure.

Stream it through your campaign page so everyone can join in. Add donation prompts or a final “toast to next year” to keep momentum going. It turns your thank-you into a moment of connection and optimism — the perfect bridge between campaigns.

Make this Christmas count

The holiday season is your opportunity to connect hearts, tell stories, and inspire generosity. Whether you’re raffling off prizes, hosting a Christmas concert, or collecting donations online, the right tools help you spend less time on logistics and more time engaging your supporters.

If you’re ready to make your festive fundraising simple, seamless, and successful, explore how Givergy’s platform can bring your Christmas ideas to life, from raffles and 50/50s to auctions, sweepstakes, and donation pages that shine.

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