Make a difference to someone's life by giving charity Christmas gifts. By purchasing an item where the funds go to a charity or sending a donation, your act of kindness helps the recipient meet their basic needs during the coldest months of the year. Whether it's homelessness, low-income families or elderly individuals who need support to stay warm, charity gifts directly help those in need.
While the season of giving is associated with Christmas, many charities, such as the British Red Cross, have websites where people can donate money or purchase gifts online year-round. However, it is especially vital during winter months when demands on charities are much higher. The funds raised help to support healthcare, education, shelter and so much more.
Best charity Christmas gifts at a glance
A little kindness goes a long way, and it can be fun, too, such as holding a Macmillan coffee morning with friends. It's feels good to help and an uplifting sense of community spirit spreads warmth and cheer during the festive season. You could organise a clothes collection for charity or a bake sale, such as the Alzhemier's Society Cupcake Day. Anyone can participate; individuals, families, companies, schools, and community groups – and Christmas is a great opportunity to get everyone involved.
You may have found yourself directly affected by life-changing circumstances and now you are in a position where you want to give back. This year, when someone asks you what you want for Christmas, say a donation to charity, where the money can make a difference. There's never been a greater need for donations to donkey sanctuaries and animals shelters, so if you find yourself particularly touched by the suffering of abandoned pets give them your support this Christmas.
Here, we've highlighted some charities and causes – big and small – to show your support.
Charity Christmas gifts
Best charity Christmas cards
Buying a pack of Christmas cards helps to fund the UK's leading end of life care charity. Marie Curie nurses look after terminally ill individuals and their families. With over 75 years experience Marie Curie's aim is for a better end of life with compassion and dignity. The charity provides expert care, support and campaigns. Marie Curies nurses care for individuals in hospices and over the phone.
Peruse Christmas gifts that do vital work in the Marie Curie Amazon store.
Buying from the Marie Curie Christmas Shop, 100% of profits go towards the vital work of Marie Curie nurses.
Best charity calendar
Brighten someone’s Christmas with the awesome joy and wonder of nature. Purchasing a charity calendar is a Christmas pressie is a tradition for lots of us. This Greenpeace Deluxe Calendar 2025 showcases natural environments and their inhabitants in breath-taking photography by the world's best nature photographers.
Greenpeace is the leading charity that advocates for the planet and highlights the importance of protecting wildlife and nature.
All royalties from sales of the calendar go to Greenpeace.
Best ethical charity Christmas gifts
onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk
In giving consciously we can make ethical choices that support sustainable practices. Oxfam's online shop is much like their high street stores, where you can find a treasure trove of unique pre-loved items and unusual gift items from all over the world. Funds raised go towards fighting global injustice and poverty.
Oxfam Unwrapped offers a wonderful assortment of ethical gifts and foodie treats, as well as gift cards, eCards, and sustainable wrapping paper.
Best charity gift for cancer research
shop.cancerresearchuk.org
Be someone’s reason to smile this festive season. Every sale of this Desk Diary 2025 supports research and cancer prevention. Cancer Research UK's online shop has a range of Christmas gifts – including skincare, cookery books and jigsaws – with something for everyone. Plus, you can donate online towards beating cancer once and for all.
Best charity gift supporting Refuge
www.etsy.com
Together, we can bring joy to every home this Christmas. £1 of each sale of this International Women's Day Charity Cuff is donated to Refuge, which is a charity for women and children in situations of domestic abuse. Choose from four inspirational quotes or create your own customised quote. This is an Etsy's Pick product and Carriann from Lost Post has over 3,000 reviews rating her shop 5/5.
Best Christmas cards to support a dog charity
www.etsy.com
Give from the heart and make a difference. 50% of the profits from every sale goes towards helping dogs in need, thanks to StreetVet, a charity that delivers veterinary care to the pets of individuals who are homeless.
Behind every beautifully painted portrait, there is a story of a dog that got care from StreetVet. Dog charities, like StreetVet, need support through the winter months when conditions are so much tougher for homeless people and their animals.
Best charity gift to support creative arts
www.whitestuff.com
Another gorgeous gift for dog lovers, this très chic Charity Tote Bag from White Stuff supports the creative arts. 100% of the profits go toward creative art projects that help vulnerable people connect, upskill and be inspired.
The tote bag is available in two colourways and is illustrated by Tony Green.
Best gift that supports coffee farming communities
www.risecoffeebox.co.uk
Coffee connoisseurs can countdown to Christmas and discover a world of speciality coffee. RISE is the UK's top coffee subscription. Alice and Ben's journey from launching in 2020 to having an award-winning sustainable coffee business is backed by boundless enthusiasm and dedication. Their Friendly Coffee Fund gives back 1% of all sales to coffee farming communities.
Every independent coffee has a story behind it, and you can learn about its flavour profile and provenance.
Purchasing the RISE Coffee Advent calendar supports entrepreneurialism and an ethical coffee farming communities... plus, great tasting coffee☕!
Best gift to support breast cancer charity
www.etsy.com
Kirsty Leigh runs the Etsy store Invitesforyoubyklr and donates all of the money raised by this Breast Cancer Wish Bracelet to charity. It's a small yet meaningful gift that resonates with anyone who's been affected by breast cancer. Designed with care and love, Kirsty also handmakes a range of gifts and invites.
Support young people to have an adventure
Help us create memories for children for whom the Youth Hostel Association is their first opportunity to experience a holiday. The YHA believe that everyone should have access to travel and adventure. Their network of hostels around England and Wales are based in locations of outstanding natural beauty or culture and heritage.
Through donations, the YHA provides support and bursaries to schools, young people and families so everyone can experience being outdoors and have an adventure.
Commercial Content Writer, Natalie Knowles, has been involved with the YHA since 2011. When she's wearing her other hat, Natalie is an artist and illustrator. She was commissioned by the YHA to illustrate promotional postcards and their annual Christmas card. In addition, Natalie has created murals, signage and wall art for her local youth hostel, as well as holding several exhibitions. Natalie supports this charity because she thinks it's important for every child to have the experience of travel and adventure.
Best charity gift to support medical staff
www.nursem.co.uk
Perhaps this year, you've been grateful for the kindness and professionalism of medical staff and are looking for a small way to give back. Nursem give a month’s supply of free hand cream to a nurse, midwife or other healthcare professional for every product sold.
This beautifully designed Hand Cream Cracker Set makes ideal stocking fillers for friends and family. Let's face it: in winter, we can use a lot of hand cream to combat chapped hands, so this will be a very welcome gift.
Best gift to support Amnesty International
www.ethicalsuperstore.com
This couldn't be more important right now. Amnesty International is a non-governmental human rights organisation. This 'Love' print was designed by RUDE, a London-based studio, to mark Amnesty International's 60th anniversary.
In addition, by purchasing from the Ethical Superstore you can discover a superb range of everyday essentials and giftware that supports charity, sustainability and eco-friendly businesses.
Best tea gift supporting charity
www.birdandblendtea.com
The fabulous Bird & Blend have a range of stunning teas to discover, plus every quarter, they have a ChariTEA, which supports a cause. At the moment, the blend is Duvet Day Tea and it's just perfect for snuggling up in the winter months. All the profits will go to the charity EveryYouth which supports young people facing homelessness.
Find out more about Bird & Blend's ChariTEA of the quarter.
Best charity gift to support the countryside
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
For a unique gift or memorial for a loved one, the National Trust's Plant a Tree is an online donation that can be a minimum of £5. You receive a digital certificate that can be personalised to the recipient.
The National Trust aims to plant 20 million trees by 2030. This will help create new habitats and outdoor spaces for generations to enjoy. Plus, those trees are vital to absorb the carbon produced by our current way of life. Over the last 120 years, Britain has lost 81% of its orchards and hedgerows. 100% of your donation will go towards planting and maintaining new trees in the care of the National Trust.
Best chocolate charity gift
www.smallactsofkindness.co.uk
A little kindness goes a long way – donate a Terrys Chocolate Orange to an older person who will be spending Christmas on their own. This is one of several projects from Small Acts of Kindness, who helper vulnerable and older people. Plus, you can join The Kindness Club and make a donation to help individuals in need stay warm and well-fed this winter.
Charity Christmas gifts FAQs
How can I support charities this Christmas?
Giving a monetary donation to a charity is an immediate way to provide essential funds for healthcare, food, clothes, toys, and shelter for people in need this Christmas. We've compiled a list of charities to donate to so you can find a cause that resonates with you. Here are four causes that accept online donations:
• Macmillan Cancer Support
• Alzheimer's Society
• Great Ormond Street Hospital
• RNLI
In your community look for charity gift projects in churches, supermarkets, schools, community centres, libraries, and shelters. Fundraising might take the form of a Christmas market. Alternatively, it might be a Christmas tree festival where a donation buys a simple ornament and message dedicated to a loved one. A simple way to make a difference is to pop a tin or a packet of pasta in your shopping basket and donate it to your supermarket's food bank. Equally, place coats, hats, scarves, socks, and other warm clothes in your nearest charity clothes collection point. Volunteering your time and skills is another way to help. It might take the form of serving Christmas dinner at a shelter or delivering vital supplies to families in need.
Other ways you can help
Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances. When she's not testing sparkling water makers, she flexes her creative flair as an artist.