HELP A STRANGER

1 Help a stranger and make their day

According to the World Giving Index 2018, 63% of people in the UK helped a stranger last year. Why not carry on the trend and hold a door open, give up your seat on the train or just smile for someone you don’t know?

Share your good deeds on Twitter and Facebook.

2 Teach your kids about giving

Get your children involved by talking to them about the importance of giving. Giving unwanted toys to those less fortunate, smiling at someone on the street, holding doors open for people or visiting a sick relative is still charity because it warms someone's heart.

Start your children's giving

3 Donate blankets, gloves, coats etc.

Spare a thought for those who are homeless or in temporary accommodation. Use our charity search to donate to a homeless charity near you.

4 Be a bobble hat hero

Encourage your children to come to school wearing their favourite bobble hat and raise money to make a difference for other young people.

5 Support a toy box scheme

Not every child has toys or games, so buying an extra toy for a toy box scheme such as KidsOut can go a long way to putting a smile on someone’s face.

Find out more about KidsOut

GIVE YOUR TIME

6 Donate blood

Donating blood regularly - or even as a one-off - is a great way to ensure that you're giving back to those who need it. By giving blood, every donor is contributing to a nationwide challenge to provide life-saving products whenever and wherever they are needed.

Find out more and search for your nearest venue

7 Volunteer your time in a soup kitchen or homeless shelter

Charities really appreciate volunteers and there are likely to be organisations in your community that could use an extra pair of helping hands. It’s a great way to meet new people and develop skills to use at work or university.

Start thinking about volunteering

8 Take part in a charity run

Completing a charity run is a great social event which can make you feel great while helping a cause close to your heart. It also gives you an excuse to tuck into some goodies as a reward.

Find out more about running for charity

9 Get involved with Decembeard

Men – why not ditch your routine and grow a beard for charity? You can spend the time you’d normally spend shaving to do a good deed for someone.

Find out more about Decembeard

10 Sell or donate your unwanted gifts

If you receive unwanted presents, why not spend some time selling them on eBay, Amazon or Gumtree and donate the proceeds to the charity of your choice. Use our charity search for inspiration.

ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO GIVE

11 Shout loud on social media

Share one of our quirky Facebook wall posts to raise awareness for a cause close to your heart. It’s a free and easy way to support a charity at any time of year.

Join us on Facebook

12 Hold a fancy dress day, or a dress down day

Have a dress down day, or a themed fancy dress day, at work and charge your colleagues to get involved.

13 Hold a raffle for charity

If you’ve got chocolates or biscuits leftover from a party, why not raffle them – and other unwanted goodies – for charity? You can pool your money while you decide who to donate to.

Tell your employer about the CAF Staff Charity Fund

14 Organise a charity shop Secret Santa

Rather than buying your annual Secret Santa present from a high street shop, agree to buy your gifts from a charity shop. Your favourite causes will benefit and you’ll receive an unusual and unique present!

Don’t forget to let us know what you got!

15 Encourage your employer to develop a charity partnership for 2019

If your employer isn’t already partnered with a charity, speak to your CSR or HR colleagues about getting involved. Let them know that they can contact one of our expert advisers for help.

GIVE MONEY

16 Support national giving days such as #givingtuesday

Join us again to celebrate all that’s good about giving. Whether you’re an individual, a company or a charity, there are plenty of ways to get involved in national events throughout the year.

Get involved with #givingtuesday

17 Donate money

Give a gift that makes a difference by donating to your favourite cause by credit or debit card, PayPal or CAF Charity Account. UK taxpayers can add an extra 25p for every £1 you donate through Gift Aid.

Donate now

18 Sign up for payroll giving in 2019

If your employer offers a payroll giving scheme, such as CAF Give As You Earn, you can donate from your pre-tax salary and benefit from the full income tax relief.

Get started with payroll giving

19 Think global on International Human Solidarity Day

Every December, the United Nations General Assembly encourages people around the world to think about the value of human solidarity. Why not donate to an overseas charity?

20 Throw an office party for charity

Throw an office party and encourage everyone to contribute. Send round a donation tin to collect donations for your favourite cause and encourage your employer to match your contributions.

Get started with matched giving

MAKE MORE OF YOUR MONEY

21 Shop Fairtrade

Help support artists in developing countries by buying Fairtrade presents. You’re sure to be able to find something unique for those closest to you.

Go Fairtrade this year

22 Give as you shop

If you’re avoiding the busy high streets and doing your shopping online, sign up to a retail website which donates to charity every time you shop with them.

Shop with Give as you Live

23 Send charity Christmas cards

Double your charitable giving by sending a charity Christmas card. Look in your local charity shop or on your favourite charity’s website for their range of cards.

We can help you find a cause that’s close to your heart.

24 Leave a gift to charity in your Will

December 21 may be the shortest day, but your giving can be long-term. A charity legacy is a tax-effective way to give, and allows you peace of mind that your giving will live on.

Find out more about charitable legacies

25 Gift your financial assets

If you have HMRC-qualifying shares, you might want to consider putting these to good use by gifting them to charity.