Fundraising Ideas     |     20 November 2024

30 Christmas Fundraising Ideas Guaranteed to Maximize Your Donations

Stress-free holiday fundraising that brings in big donations

15 minute read

Christmas has a unique way of bringing people together. There's something about the holiday season that lights up our generosity, making it the perfect time to fundraise for causes close to our hearts. Whether supporting a local school, a community group, or a charity, Christmas fundraising events create a space for people to celebrate while giving back. The festive atmosphere and a little creativity can turn even the most straightforward fundraiser into something magical.

While planning a fundraising event can seem like a chore, it doesn’t have to be a headache. Silent Auction Pro offers tools that make the process easier, whether planning an online event, an in-person auction, or something in between. Our user-friendly platform allows even the most stressed-out organizer to pull off a successful event that captures the season's spirit.

Read on to get in the spirit with our top Christmas fundraising ideas. 

30 Christmas fundraising ideas that work every time

When organizing a holiday fundraiser, it’s easy to feel the pressure. Luckily, plenty of Christmas fundraising ideas are simple and practically guaranteed to bring in donations. From hosting something virtual to doing something in person, these ideas will have your community feeling festive and excited to give. Here are 30 ideas that are sure to work every time:

1. Virtual auction with holiday-themed items

A virtual auction is a great way to engage a wide audience without the logistical hassle of a physical event. Using Silent Auction Pro’s mobile bidding tools, you can host a fun, holiday-themed auction right from the comfort of your home. Think about auctioning off items like holiday gift baskets, locally made crafts, or experiences like a private cooking lesson or a holiday-themed photo session. Since everything is done online, your supporters can bid from anywhere, making it easier to raise money while adding a festive touch to the auction.

2. Christmas tree raffle

Few things say Christmas quite like a beautifully decorated tree. Why not turn that into a fundraising opportunity? Partner with local decorators or students to create unique Christmas trees and raffle them to the highest bidders. Raffles are easy to set up and manage, making this one of the most popular Christmas fundraising ideas.

3. Festive bake sale

Nothing brings people together quite like food, especially during the holidays. Host a festive bake sale featuring holiday treats like gingerbread, Christmas cookies, and fruitcakes. Ask community members to donate their favorite holiday recipes or even host a friendly bake-off to get people involved. Sell the baked goods at local events or through an online ordering system for a fun and delicious way to raise funds.

4. Holiday photo booth

Set up a Christmas-themed photo booth at your event with festive props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and holiday backdrops. Charge for photos and offer digital or printed versions to make it even more fun. This is an easy way to create a memorable experience for attendees while bringing in donations. 

5. Christmas carol sing-a-thon

For a more traditional holiday fundraiser, consider hosting a Christmas carol sing-a-thon. Participants can raise money by getting sponsorships for every carol they sing. This is one of those Christmas fundraising ideas that taps into the nostalgic charm of the season, and it’s a great way to get the community involved in a low-cost, high-impact event.

6. Letters from Santa

One of the sweetest holiday traditions is writing letters to Santa, and you can turn this into a successful fundraiser. Offer parents the chance to donate a personalized letter from Santa to their child. With a little creativity and a lot of holiday cheer, this can become an annual tradition for families in your community. Plus, it’s a low-cost idea that can be easily organized with the help of volunteers.

7. Holiday pet costume contest

Who says the holiday spirit is just for humans? Invite participants to dress their pets in festive attire and charge an entry fee for a holiday pet costume contest. Award prizes for categories like “Best Dressed Reindeer” or “Cutest Santa Pup.” This idea is fun, lighthearted, and always draws a crowd.

8. Virtual holiday cooking class

People love learning new recipes, especially during the holidays. Invite a local chef or talented home cook to host a virtual holiday cooking class where participants can learn how to make festive dishes. Charge an entry fee for the class, and consider providing ingredient lists ahead of time so everyone can cook along.

9. Gingerbread house building competition

Few activities can capture the holiday spirit like building gingerbread houses. Charge an entry fee for teams or families to come together and decorate their own gingerbread creations. You can host the event in person or virtually by having participants build their houses at home and submit photos. Offer prizes for categories like “Most Creative” or “Best Holiday Theme.” This kind of fundraiser taps into that nostalgic holiday joy, all while raising funds for your cause.

10. Holiday craft fair

A holiday craft fair is a fantastic way to showcase local talent while raising money. Invite local artisans, crafters, and makers to sell handmade crafts, holiday decorations, and gifts at your fair. You can charge booth fees or ask vendors to donate a portion of their sales to the cause. This idea is a win-win—attendees get unique holiday gifts, and your organization raises funds.

11. Christmas movie marathon

Set the stage for a cozy holiday evening with a Christmas movie marathon. Rent a local theater, set up a large screen in a community space, and sell tickets for an all-day or evening event filled with classic holiday films. Make it even more festive by selling themed snacks like hot cocoa, red-and-green popcorn, and Christmas cookies. The nostalgia of a Christmas movie marathon can bring people together and create lasting memories while supporting your fundraiser.

12. Christmas ornament auction

For a more unique fundraising idea, host a Christmas ornament auction. Ask local artists, students, or community members to create one-of-a-kind ornaments, then auction them off to the highest bidder. It’s a perfect way to showcase your community's creative talents while offering people something special they can treasure for years.

13. Ugly Christmas sweater contest

Few things are more fun (or ridiculous) than an ugly Christmas sweater contest. Whether you do it virtually or in person, you can charge participants an entry fee to show off their tackiest holiday attire. Take it a step further by offering prizes for categories like “Most Hideous,” “Most Creative,” and “Best Homemade Sweater.” This lighthearted event always draws a crowd and provides plenty of laughs, making it one of the easiest Christmas fundraising ideas to pull off.

14. Wreath-making workshop

A wreath-making workshop allows participants to get crafty while contributing to a great cause. Organize a class where attendees can create holiday wreaths to decorate their homes or give as gifts. You can charge for entry and provide all the materials needed, making it easy for anyone to participate. Participants walk away with a beautiful, handmade decoration to remember the event.

15. Holiday gift-wrapping service

With the holiday rush, many people seek extra help getting everything done. Set up a gift-wrapping station at a local shopping center, school, or community event and charge for each gift wrapped. This simple service is always in demand during the holiday season, and it’s an easy way to raise money while providing a useful service. 

16. Christmas light tour

A Christmas light tour is a festive way to unite the community while showcasing the neighborhood's best holiday decorations. Organize a guided tour of the most elaborately decorated houses on foot, by car, or even on a holiday-themed bus. Sell tickets for the tour, and consider partnering with local businesses to offer warm drinks or snacks along the way. 

17. Reindeer dash (fun run)

Get the whole community moving with a Reindeer Dash, a Christmas-themed fun run in which participants dress up in holiday costumes like reindeer, elves, or even Santa. Charge an entry fee and have participants raise additional donations through sponsors. 

18. Christmas choir performance

What better way to celebrate the holidays than with music? Host a live or virtual Christmas choir performance featuring holiday classics that everyone knows and loves. You can charge for tickets, request donations, or offer a combination. Whether it’s a community choir, a school group, or even a collection of local choirs, the event will bring people together to enjoy the magic of holiday music while supporting your fundraising efforts.

19. Christmas pajama party fundraiser

Host a cozy Christmas pajama party where guests can appear in their favorite holiday-themed pajamas. Charge an entry fee and offer activities like holiday-themed games, a hot cocoa bar, and a festive movie marathon. You could even include a pajama contest, with prizes for categories like "Most Festive" or "Coziest PJs." This laid-back event is perfect for families and friends looking to get into the holiday spirit.

20. Christmas tree recycling

After the holiday season, many people are left wondering what to do with their Christmas trees. Offer a tree recycling service where, for a small fee, volunteers will pick up trees and recycle them in an environmentally friendly way. This easy, low-cost fundraiser provides a valuable service to the community. You can partner with local waste management services or garden centers to ensure the trees are properly disposed of or repurposed.

21. Gift basket raffle

Everyone loves the idea of winning a beautifully curated gift basket. Create themed holiday gift baskets filled with items like holiday treats, small gifts, or even experiences like spa days or restaurant vouchers. Sell raffle tickets for a chance to win, and watch the donations roll in. 

22. Holiday trivia night

A holiday trivia night perfectly combines festive fun and friendly competition. Host it either in person or virtually, charging a small participation fee. Focus the questions around holiday movies, Christmas traditions, and seasonal trivia. You can offer prizes for the winning team and encourage donations throughout the night.

23. Cookie decorating contest

Bring out everyone’s inner baker with a cookie decorating contest. Families and friends can pay an entry fee to participate in decorating holiday cookies with festive icing, sprinkles, and candy. This idea works well for in-person events, but you can also take it virtual by having participants submit photos of their decorated cookies. 

24. Christmas candle-making workshop

Candles make great holiday gifts, and a Christmas candle-making workshop allows participants to create their own. Focus on holiday scents like cinnamon, pine, or peppermint to make the candles more festive. Charge for entry and provide all the materials needed. It’s a simple, relaxing event that lets people leave with a beautiful, handmade item.

25. Virtual Christmas scavenger hunt

Turn the holiday spirit into an exciting adventure with a virtual Christmas scavenger hunt. Participants can join from home, following clues and searching for holiday-themed items around their house or neighborhood. Charge a small fee to participate and offer prizes for the first to complete the hunt. 

26. Hot cocoa stand

Who can resist a warm cup of hot cocoa on a chilly December day? Set up a hot cocoa stand at a local holiday event, school function, or winter market. You can sell regular hot chocolate, but adding toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, peppermint sticks, and chocolate shavings for an extra fee will make it even more enticing. 

27. Snowball fight fundraiser

Organizing a snowball fight can be a fun, energetic way to raise money if you live in an area with snow. Charge a small fee for participants to join, and set up teams for a friendly competition. Offer prizes for the last person standing or the team with the most hits. Even if it’s a bit cold, the laughter and excitement will warm everyone up—and it’s a great way to bring the community together for some festive fun.

28. Holiday-themed karaoke

Bring out everyone’s inner performer with a holiday-themed karaoke night. Participants can sing their favorite Christmas carols. Charge a small donation per song, or set up a competition with entry fees and prizes for the best performances. This is one of those Christmas fundraising ideas that guarantees laughter and holiday cheer, making it a hit for singers and spectators.

29. Polar plunge

A polar plunge fundraiser can attract a lot of attention and donations for brave souls willing to take the plunge. Participants raise money by pledging to dive into cold water, typically a lake or ocean, during the winter. Spectators can also donate to watch their friends, family, or community members make the leap. 

30. Christmas-themed escape room

For something a little different, set up a holiday-themed escape room where participants work in teams to solve festive puzzles and clues. Charge an entry fee for each team, and create a Christmas narrative, like helping Santa find his missing reindeer or unlocking the secret to the North Pole. It’s a fun, interactive way to raise funds while challenging people to work together and think creatively.

How Silent Auction Pro can help simplify your holiday fundraising

Silent Auction Pro has you covered when managing a successful holiday fundraiser. Our event management and auction tools take the guesswork out of organizing so you can focus on creating a memorable experience. Whether running a virtual auction, selling raffle tickets, or hosting a live event, this platform handles everything from ticket sales to tracking bids. It is a game changer for volunteers already juggling their busy schedules.

Holiday fundraisers provide an opportunity to bring people together for a shared cause. The joy of the season, paired with a little creativity, makes these events both fun and fulfilling. While planning can sometimes feel overwhelming, remember that the most important part is the community you're building along the way.

As you pursue these Christmas fundraising ideas, don’t stress over the small details. Focus on the experience you're creating and trust that your effort will be rewarded. With the right tools, a clear plan, and the festive spirit of the holidays, your fundraiser is set to be a success. Request a free demo of Silent Auction Pro; enjoy the process, and have fun along the way—you’ve got this!