Christmas fundraising ideas A-Z

A: Advent Calendar Countdown

Share in the fun of counting down the days to Christmas by taking turns in opening a shared advent calendar - for a small donation. 

B: Boxing Day Run

Take on a 5K, 10K or further on Boxing Day to help raise funds for Macmillan. All you need to do is register your run with Macmillan, ask for donations and go the distance. You could even make it festive by dressing up as Santa Claus!

C: Christmas Fayre or Craft Market

Organise a craft fayre selling festive goods like Christmas baubles or mince pies. You could ask local businesses to join in if they'll donate a percentage of their proceeds to Macmillan. Check out our craft ideas for more inspiration. 

D: Deck your desk with bells and holly

Challenge your colleagues to a speed decorating competition. Ask participants to donate to Macmillan for entry into the competition. Then get them to spend their lunch hour making their workspace as festive as possible. Ask a panel of judges to give a prize to the most jolly desk.

E: Elf auction

Gather your friends, family, or colleagues together to volunteer to be auctioned. The highest bidder for each volunteer will receive helping hands for a day in the busy line-up to Christmas. They could help you with holiday shopping, Christmas meal prepping, or even wrapping gifts.

F: Festive film might

From Home Alone to The Holiday, whatever your go-to-festive film is can help raise funds for Macmillan. Simply host a cosy film night, put on a spread of gingerbread biscuits and mulled wine or hot chocolate and invite your nearest and dearest over to enjoy.

G: Guess the little angel

Ask your friends or colleagues to share a baby picture of themselves. Then have everyone guess who's who for a £1 donation. The perfect fun game for your office's Christmas work do.

H: Host a Christmas Party

'Tis the season of festive parties! Whether it's a Christmas work-do or a friendly get together, why not become the host with the most and make it a night to remember by raising funds for Macmillan. You could even make it a festive Coffee Morning!

I: Icing on the Christmas cake

There's probably a good chance you've put icing on a cake before. But have you done it blindfolded? This fun game is a great way to get into the festive spirit.

J: Jingle bells

At your Christmas party, put a collection box next to the DJ stand and ask people to make a donation every time they request a track. You can order a Macmillan Cancer Support collection box from Macmillan Orders.

K: Karaoke Carols

Belt out your favourite festive tunes by hosting a Christmas karaoke competition. Each participant can enter by donating to Macmillan and judges can decide who put on the best seasonal performance. 

L: Last hour's pay

As a gesture of generosity, ask colleagues if they'll donate their last hour's pay before Christmas. You'll be signing off for the holiday period while helping Macmillan support people affected by cancer every step of the way.

M: Mince pie bake off

Assemble a team of judges for a mince pie bake off. You could judge mince pies from different supermarkets, or have a festive bake off. As they say, the proof is in the pudding! If mince pies aren't your thing, then we have plenty of Coffee Morning recipes for you to try. 

N: Nearly new sale

If you received any unwanted Christmas gifts this year you can give them a new home by organising a nearly new sale at work. Your colleagues can bring in items to sale and proceeds can go to Macmillan Cancer Support. The perfect way to reduce waste and help a great cause.

O: Obstacle course 

Ready, Set, Rudolph! Set up a Christmas-themed obstacle course and challenge friends, family, or colleagues to compete. Participants can pay a small entry fee to compete and help raise funds for Macmillan.

P: Pledge to make a difference 

Make a difference in the lives of people living with cancer in the New Year by signing up to participate in one of our Macmillan events. 

Discover more about fundraising

Q: Quiz-mas

Christmas is a great time for a quiz. For a small donation to Macmillan, teams can sign up to test their festive knowledge in a chance to win a great prize!

 

R: Rudolph the red nosed reindeer

Have you ever pinned the tail on Rudolph? Blindfold your participants, charge them £1 to enter and give a prize to whoever is 'on the nose' with their attempt.

S: Swim on Christmas

Fancy braving the water on Christmas Day? Why not take part in a Christmas Day swim and ask your friends to sponsor your incredible challenge.

 

T: Tinsel, baubles, and twine

If you're a top tier decorator, then hosting a Christmas wreath decorating party can be a fun way to celebrate the festive season and raise money for Macmillan. Simply have participants pay a small donation to decorate a wreath - but make sure to provides lots of festive tinsel, baubles, and twine. 

Check out our other charity crafting ideas for more inspiration.

U: Ugly Christmas Jumper Competition

Get together with friends, family or colleagues and have an ugly Christmas Jumper day! For a small fee, people can enter a competition and the winner can split the pot with Macmillan.

V: Virtual fundraising challenge for gamers

Become a Game Hero and host a stream to raise vital funds for Macmillan. Pick your game, sign up Tiltify, set your Twitch stream date, and get fundraising! You can play as a team or go solo. Why not make it festive by dressing up in holiday attire during your stream!

W: Wrap up nicely

Wrapping presents can take a lot of time and energy. By setting up a wrapping station at work or your local supermarket, you could wrap presents for others in an exchange for a small donation. The Macmillan shop has wrapping paper, gift tags and more! 

X: Xmas Cards

Spread festive cheer this Christmas season by sending Macmillan Christmas cards to those you care about. For every pack purchased, you'll be helping us to continue our vital work in supporting people affected by cancer. Visit the Macmillan Christmas shop to discover our seasonal range which includes decoration, gift ideas and more. 

Y: Yuletide traditions

Did you know that 'yuletide' originally referred to the 12 days of Christmas? This year, why not celebrate this period by taking on a fundraising challenge. Whether it is completing 10,000 steps every day for 12 days, skipping rope for 12 minutes every day till Christmas or hosting a 12 hour long gaming stream, you can help to raise vital funds for Macmillan.

Z: ZZZ...

With your colleagues, pay £5 to enter a draw to win the chance for a day off work and a priceless lie in. An extra day of annual leave will be a welcome early present in the New Year.