10 Holiday Fundraising Ideas for Schools

10 Holiday Fundraising Ideas for Schools

The holiday season is a magical time of year—filled with joy, generosity, and the spirit of giving. It's also the perfect opportunity for schools to host festive fundraisers that bring students, families, and the community together while raising money for programs, classroom supplies, extracurricular activities, or school events.

With so many people eager to give back during the holidays, a well-planned school fundraiser can be both successful and enjoyable. Holiday fundraisers don't have to be complicated or time-consuming. Whether you're looking for quick ideas or larger events that engage the whole school, there are plenty of creative ways to encourage support.

From festive bake sales and gift-wrapping stations to online auctions and Christmas movie nights, the possibilities are endless. Schools can also take advantage of digital fundraising platforms, allowing parents and supporters to contribute even if they can't attend in person.

For more school fundraising ideas, see school fundraising ideas.

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1. Sell holiday wreaths

Don't wait for the holidays to start. Enlist volunteers (grandparents are a great asset) to make wreaths for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and even Thanksgiving. Having a variety of holidays can increase your return.

Ask students for craft donations like ribbons and trinkets. Request old, unwanted, or dilapidated wreaths—volunteers can give them new life. You might also find online suppliers who will drop-ship wreaths directly to customers and give you a small commission.

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2. Sell Christmas trees

Partner with a local tree-grower and borrow a section of a parking lot from a neighborhood business to set up your Christmas tree lot. Publicize the school you support and offer free hot cocoa or hot apple cider to set your lot apart from others in town.

Advertise that all profits go to the school for specific items you need.

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3. Hold a holiday concert

Who doesn't love an evening of happy music? Find a wide variety of performers willing to volunteer—a local jazz band, a well-known singer, your city's symphony orchestra, and a mix of student performances will draw a larger crowd.

Pre-sell discounted tickets and have full-price tickets at the door. Let newspapers and radio stations know for free publicity. Schools are made up of people with varying religious beliefs, so focus on secular songs or include music from each December holiday. The more people you include, the better your rewards.

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4. Host a holiday charity dinner

Turkey, ham, and all the trimmings. Ask a local grocer or restaurant to donate items. Many chain stores donate items once a month. Alternatively, host a holiday potluck where everyone brings a dish and pays a small donation to attend—you'll get diverse flavors and avoid turkey fatigue.

Add holiday-themed raffle tickets to liven up the event. Request free passes for holiday events at museums, symphonies, or movie theaters and hand them out as prizes. Use CharityAuctions to host a silent auction or run your raffle for a hands-off process. Consider sharing leftovers with a local homeless organization.

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5. Plan a jingle bell run/walk

Take your typical charity run or walk and add jingle bells for everyone. Depending on the date, hand out jingle bells, turkey hats, elf ears, Kwanzaa hats, or Hanukkah shirts. Your jingle bell event is sure to spread joy to the community.

Have entrants collect donations and award prizes for those with the highest amounts. When they register, let them know everyone gets a free hat or shirt—ask them to specify which item so you have plenty on hand.

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6. Offer holiday carol grams

Let community members send holiday musical spirit to family and friends while supporting a good cause. You don't have to be a professionally-trained vocalist—if you dress festively and have fun, the recipient is sure to enjoy it.

Offer a short list of songs. They don't have to be traditional—offer to serenade someone for a birthday, sing an uplifting pop song, or a fun camp song.

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7. Sell holiday ornaments

Twig trees are popular for Easter, Halloween, and Valentine's Day. You can make them with a branch, terra cotta pot, and insulation spray foam. Get grandparents involved to help make trees or create seasonal ornaments.

Several online companies will customize Christmas ornaments for your organization. These limited-edition ornaments raise funds and spirits. Put the year in your design so supporters will want to buy future years' ornaments. You can also sell these in an online auction.

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8. Plan a holiday fun day

Offer a holiday fun childcare day to locals for a small fee. Put together holiday-themed activities and craft stations for kids. Children have holiday fun while parents get child-free holiday shopping time.

Let parents sign up for 2–3 hour blocks. Register the IDs of the pickup person. Kids will want to come, and you'll make side cash to help with other events.

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9. Hold a holiday bake sale

Everyone enjoys bake sale goodies. The holidays are no exception. Festively decorated sugar cookies, gingerbread men, spritz cookies, and more fill tummies and hearts with holiday goodness.

Buy or bake. Many schools don't allow homemade food—buy in bulk and separate into decorated goodie bags. Ask big box stores to donate cookies, cupcakes, muffins, or brownies. If making your own, consider a contest to see who sells the most (prize: bottle of wine or gift card to a local shop).

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10. Holiday window painting

Local businesses love to have their store windows decorated for the holidays. From holiday sayings to full winter scenes, business owners can support your charity and make their stores more festive at the same time.

Find window painting supplies and festive stickers online. Offer several options and enlist creative students to help.

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6 bonus holiday school fundraising ideas

• Sell greeting cards the kids design themselves
• Gift-wrapping station – Ask the perfectionists in the PTA to run it
• Ugly sweater contest – In person or virtually (pro tip: allow people to pay for more votes)
• Wreath and Christmas tree pickup – Offer pickup after the holidays (can pair with your tree sale)
• Holiday lights or decor tour – Map of local houses with magnificent outdoor displays, plus a playlist and a bit about each house/family
• Holiday-themed scavenger hunt

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Final thoughts

Holiday fundraising is a fantastic way to bring the school community together while supporting important programs, classroom needs, and extracurricular activities.

Whether you choose a classic fundraiser like a bake sale or holiday shop, or a modern approach like an online raffle or virtual giving campaign, the key is to make participation easy and fun for students, parents, and staff. By tapping into the festive spirit, your school can create a successful and memorable fundraiser that raises money and spreads holiday cheer.

Promote your fundraiser early and often through school newsletters, social media, and student involvement. Encourage families to share events with their networks and consider offering small incentives or competitions to boost engagement.

A well-organized fundraiser will meet your school's financial goals and strengthen the sense of community among students, teachers, and parents. Embrace the festive spirit, get creative, and make this year's holiday fundraiser one to remember.

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More resources

• Seasonal fundraising ideas – Holiday donation drives, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Giving Tuesday
• School fundraising ideas – Comprehensive guide: bake sales, read-a-thons, auctions, and more
• Fall festival ideas for schools – Pumpkin patch, carnival games, harvest raffle
• End-of-year giving guide – Year-end campaign tips and templates
• How to run a raffle fundraiser – Formats and legal requirements
• Create your auction – No credit card required

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This guide is maintained by CharityAuctions. For auction item ideas, see silent auction item ideas list. Questions? Talk to our team.