Help us spread Christmas magic and goodwill this festive season by donating gifts to vulnerable local people through our annual Festive Donation Drive.
If you and your colleagues want to support locally this yuletide but are unsure where your support is most needed, our campaign is the perfect place to start.
In line with our Charitable Giving Policy, the Festive Donation Drive responds to the increase in donation offers from our business members at this time of year.
It is designed to make festive giving easy and impactful, ensuring every item supports local people through reputable organisations that operate right on your doorstep.
Please note the deadline to make your gift donation is Monday 7 December 2026.
The winter period sees a significant surge in demand for local community services, particularly family services, food banks, and those tackling homelessness – and all three are represented in this year’s campaign.
- Connected Lives is in need of gift-wrapped toys and books to be handed out by Father Christmas at its Toddlers Christmas Party.
- FoodCycle Marylebone is in need of festive treats such as tubs of chocolates to make family food parcels extra special this Christmas.
- St Mungo’s is in need of gift-wrapped winter clothes, toiletries and crafts for those spending Christmas in a local emergency shelter.
Read our overview guide of this year’s charity partners.
How to take part
We aim to make donating as simple as possible for BID member colleagues to unite around local causes. Getting involved could not be easier.
Step One: Choose one or more of our charity partners to support. Email our Community team to let us know who you would like to support.
Step Two: Our Community Manager will then send you the charity’s Wish List full of gift ideas from the charity’s most needed items.
Step Three: Take your donation to a nearby drop-off location or ask our Community Manager to courier collections directly from your office.
Please note the deadline to make your gift donation is Monday 7 December 2026. Items will be transported to the charities the following day to make sure they can be distributed before the Christmas break.
Quick guide to gift giving
To help keep gift giving fun and safe for everyone, we recommend following the guidance below.
Wish Lists
Each of our three chosen Wish Lists provides an overview of the type of gifts the charity would welcome. Please contact our Community Manager to receive the full Wish List of your chosen charity or charities.
The Wish Lists provide an overview of the work of the charity and the type of gifts that are in most demand. An online shopping list with links to suitable products that match the items required is also provided for ease.
You are not restricted in purchasing items that only appear on the Wish List. Similar items that meet the brief will also be happily accepted, providing they are brand new.
If you are unsure if a gift item is suitable, please contact us.
Gift wrapped items
Two of our charity partners – Connected Lives and St Mungo’s – have requested gift-wrapped items. In this instance, please include a categorisation tag to help the charity partner distribute them. For example:
- Women’s scarf
- Toddler’s storybook, unisex
- Men’s toiletries
Descriptive tags for gift-wrapped items will be for the use of charity partners only, to distribute accordingly. These will be removed before being handed out to recipients.
Personalised messages
You are welcome to also write a short message on your gift for the recipient, if you wish, in addition to the categorisation tag. However, please do not share personal information. Signing the tag with your first name is fine, or you may wish to sign from Santa Claus.
Prohibited items
Some of our community partners have strict policies regarding gifting to their clients and are unable to distribute some items. Please do not purchase the following:
- Alcohol, or gift vouchers for any establishment that serves alcohol (e.g. do not purchase supermarket gift vouchers)
- Candles of any description – due to fire safety risks
- Homemade items – due to legal and safety standards
- Perishable food or any food items that require refrigeration
- Sorry, no pre-loved items can be accepted as Christmas presents by our community partners. If you have second-hand items to donate, please contact the BID and we can arrange this as part of our year-round donation support.
If you are unsure if a gift item is suitable, please contact our Community Manager for advice.
