A List of Charities Accepting Gift Donations This Christmas

While Christmas is known to be the most wonderful time of the year, for some people it can be the hardest. With colder days, longer nights and so many additional costs this time of year, it can be harder for some people to stay afloat.

So many wonderful charities make a world of difference this time of year, but they need the support of others in order help. Charities are asking for the people who are able donate, to contribute this Christmas time.

Here is a list of charities looking for gifts and items in order to make a difference this Christmas.

Hygiene Hub

Hygiene Hub is a charity that provides personal care and hygiene products to those who need them.

They are asking those who are able to, to donate new, unused, in-date personal care and household cleaning essentials like shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, period products, cleaning products, etc.

Hygiene Hub have around 100 drop off points for donated goods around the Republic of Ireland. Hygiene Hub will be collecting donations for its #ItsInTheBag campaign from 11th November until 15th December.

You can find more information and your closest drop off point here. 

St Vincent De Paul

This year St Vincent De Paul are asking the public to donate gift vouchers as a part of their The Gift of Choice campaign.

The Gift of Choice campaign asks for vouchers to be donated in order to give families the freedom to make their own gifting decisions.

This enables parents to create the special Christmas they dream of, choosing gifts and meals that suit their needs. This approach also empowers families to buy what their children are asking Santa for.

Vouchers such as Me2You, AllGo and vouchers for food retailers, clothes shops and toy shops are all encouraged.

Find out more here. 

Direct Provision Donations

 

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DPD is having one day of collections for presents and essentials for kids and adults in direct provision centres across Ireland.

Direct Provision Donations do regular collections for people living under the direct provision system in Ireland. This provides individuals with essentials, toys and other supplies.  

You can show your support to those in direct provision centres this festive season by donating toys, gift sets, chocolate, board games, new hats and scarves and more.

The collection is taking place on the 8th of December in Ballsbridge, Dublin from 11am until 4pm. 

The Galway Giving Tree

 

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The Galway Giving Tree is a Christmas gift-drive that pairs specific wishes from those in need with gift-givers in businesses and organisations around Galway.

They partner with local social services to gather the wishes of children and adults in their care. The wishes are printed onto gift tags and these ‘wish tags’ are hung from Christmas trees located at Host Businesses where they are accessible to the public.

If someone wishes to donate, they simply select a wish tag from the tree, purchase the gift and attach the tag, and then place the gift under the tree.

Gifts will be collected by Galway Giving Tree Elves and distributed in time for Christmas. Collections are only possible within 5 miles of Galway city.

For more information click here. 

Carepack.ie

 

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This year Carepack is connecting people in nursing and care homes to generous members of the public. 

Here is how it works: nursing home and care home manager sign their residents up and Carepack gives those resident names to members of the public.

After you receive your resident’s details, then you buy or craft your gift for your resident. Wrap the gift and include the STAFF member’s name and address on the package. You can then post it for free or drop it to the care home reception.

Carepack’s final date to send a gift is the 16th of December. Find out more here. 

The Lions Club

The Lions Club of Ireland provide services for childhood cancer support, diabetes awareness, suicide prevention as well as much more. Every year they run an annual Christmas food appeal and partner with supermarkets across the country.

The Lions Club ask for donations of non-perishable foods including pasta, rice, canned goods, sauces, tea, coffee, baby formula and more.

Find out more here. 

Team Hope

 

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Team Hope’s Christmas Shoebox Appeal is an annual campaign that delivers gifts straight into the hands of children affected by poverty. Often these shoebox gifts are the only gift that a child will receive at Christmas.

Since 2010, Team Hope have delivered over 2.5 million Shoebox gifts to vulnerable children across the world.

You can include items suitable for children including pencils, crayons, colouring books, soap, socks, underwear, cuddly toys, sweets (in date until April 2025), and more.

Find out more, and discover local drop off points, here. 

Cork University Hospital

The Cork University Hospital Charity is looking for gift donations for children and babies who are in the wards this Christmas time.

In order to ensure these children can still enjoy their Christmas CUHC are looking for donations such as vouchers, new toys, selection boxes, sensory items, comfort items, and more.

Find out more here. 

Jack and Jill Foundation

Classic & Exotic Car Marketplace are hosting a toy drive for the Jack and Jill Foundation on Saturday 7th December 2024. They have teamed up with local businesses to be convenient drop off points.

All donated toys must be brand new and in their original packaging to ensure the utmost joy for the recipients.

If you cannot make it to a drop off location, collection can be arranged.

Find out more here. 

Words by Sorcha Keane and Ava Grace.