25 Christmas fundraising ideas for schools

The Christmas season provides a festive opportunity for schools to fundraise within their community. With creative Events and holiday cheer, schools can meet important financial goals. 

This blog will provide 25 engaging Christmas fundraising ideas perfect for elementary, middle and high schools. 

1. Livestreamed Holiday concerts   

Host a ticketed livestream concert featuring school music groups to spread holiday cheer near and far.  

2. Christmas tree Sales  

Sell freshly cut trees and wreaths with a local tree farm and earn commission on sales. 

3. Santa’s workshop gift shop 

Set up a Santa’s Workshop school Store selling small gifts, crafts, baked goods, and holiday treats. 

4. Photos with Santa 

Organize a visit with Santa for keepsake holiday photoshoots. Sell prints and digital downloads.  

5. Holiday shopping Events  

Host local small businesses at a holiday shopping bazaar. Earn proceeds from vendor rental fees and sales commissions. 

6. Christmas cookie decorating kits 

Sell kits with cookie dough, icing and decorations for festive holiday fun.  

7. Hot chocolate stand 

Set up a hot chocolate stand at holiday Events and performances.  

8. Christmas caroling  

Organize groups of carolers available for booking holiday performances. 

9. Holiday Raffle fundraising 

Raffle off holiday gift baskets, prizes and treats for extra fundraising. 

10. Breakfast with Santa   

Organize a pancake breakfast with Santa’s visit. Sell tickets and photos. 

11. Holiday bake Sale 

Sell any homemade cakes, cookies, pies and treats for holiday feasts.  

12. Christmas craft fair 

Rent vendor booths at a Christmas craft fair. Earn commission on all sales by artisan crafters.   

13. Wreath making workshops 

Host festive wreath-making workshops using greenery and decor. Charge workshop fees. 

14. Holiday grams  

Students buy candy canes and holiday notes delivered to friends during school. 

15. Holiday movie night 

Screen a holiday movie after school and sell tickets, snacks and drinks. 

16. Reindeer food kits 

Assemble and sell reindeer food kits, oats, and edible glitter in a bag for children to spread out on Christmas Eve. 

17. New Year’s Eve babysitting  

Offer New Year’s Eve babysitting for parents to enjoy a kid-free evening. 

18. Holiday gift wrapping service 

Set up a gift-wrapping station to wrap presents for tips. 

19. Christmas light tours 

Organize Christmas light tours of the most decorated neighborhood homes by bus. Sell both tickets and treats. 

20. Christmas tree ornament Sales 

Create and sell keepsake school ornaments each holiday season.  

21. Holiday decorating contest 

Hold a classroom door decorating contest and charge entry fees. Offer prizes. 

22. Hot chocolate bombs   

Make and sell hot chocolate bombs – hollow chocolate orbs filled with cocoa, marshmallows, and surprises. 

23. Gingerbread house Auction 

Make, decorate, and Auction off fabulous gingerbread houses. 

24. Ugly sweater & pajama days 

Students pay $1 to wear ugly sweaters or pajamas to school before holiday break. 

25. New Year’s Raffle  

Kick off the new year with a Raffle of gift cards and prizes.  

5 Tips for Christmas Fundraising Success 

While it may be a busy and hectic time of year, there are still plenty of opportunities to raise money for your cause or organization. Here are five tips to help you make the most of your Christmas fundraising efforts: 

1. Get creative with your campaigns: having unique campaigns that stand out can help bring attention to your cause. Think of fun ways to engage people and draw them in. It could be something as simple as a holiday-themed Raffle or a “Name the Elf” contest. 

2. Take advantage of social media: social media is an incredibly powerful tool for connecting with potential donors and spreading the word about your charity or organization. Take advantage of platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to share updates about your campaigns and encourage people to donate. 

3. Utilize A-Thon fundraising: A-Thons are a great way to raise money for a cause, as they provide an easy way for donors to donate by sponsoring a participant or team. They also generate excitement and encourage competition, making them a fun and effective fundraising tool. 

4. Develop a strategy: before launching your campaign, make sure you have a plan of action. Think about your goals and how you’re going to reach them, who your target audience is, and what specific strategies you’ll use to engage potential donors. 

5. Have fun: Above all, it’s important to keep things lighthearted and have fun with your campaigns. If you can make them fun and engaging, people will be more likely to get involved and donate. 

Christmas is the perfect time of year for fundraising, so don’t be afraid to get creative! With the right strategy and a bit of enthusiasm, you can make a big impact this holiday season. If you need more creative inspiration or just more information about how to fundraise online successfully, this hub for online school fundraising has you covered. 

School Fundraising Made Easy  

While having creative ideas is key, you need the right online tools to execute fundraising campaigns seamlessly. RallyUp provides an all-in-one platform designed specifically for school fundraising.  

Visit RallyUp to unlock the benefits of online fundraising and take your Christmas campaigns to the next level. The simple system makes fundraising easy during the busy holiday season!