Whether you are looking to have a little fundraising fun as part of your workplace, school or a community group’s seasonal activities, or just to do something festive with friends, get on board with these party-season plans!

Host a festive breakfast 

Tubs of chocolates around the office first thing are all very tasty, but even after the first few days (weeks?) of advent, one can yearn for a brekkie that doesn’t come in a tin. Why not be the person to organise orange juice, pancakes, crumpets and whatever else you fancy filling up on to start the day in the run up to Christmas? Invite contributions from colleagues and ask for a donation to charity to go in that empty Roses tub.

Christmas flix

Elf, The Nightmare before Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life and a host of other seasonal silver screen staples... run a festive film screening and invite donations from those who roll up. Make money in sales of refreshments or snuggly blanket and hot water bottle hire for extra hygge.

If you are putting on an event publicly then do be sure to secure the necessary permissions, public entertainment licenses, insurances, etc. before you start promoting your event.

Christmas carols with mince pies and mulled wine 

Few things are more heartwarming than Christmas carols by candlelight. Up the feel-good factor by offering mince pies and spiced mulled wine (alcohol-free is also available) in exchange for donations and you’re sure to create the perfect festive occasion.

Family-friendly fireside Christmas storytelling

Did you know that during the Victorian era it was traditional to tell ghost stories on Christmas Eve? Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is the classic example, which draws on a rich tradition of fireside spookiness. Organise for a storyteller to visit your event or invite participants to share their own spooky seasonal tales. Invite donations for participating - but don’t make it too scary or little ones won’t be able to sleep!

A Santa flash mob

If you are well organised and you know some extrovert performer types, then a Santa flash mob fundraiser is great fun and a little bit different. If you are part of a running group already, then perhaps you can encourage everyone to dress up as Father Christmas for your next run. Perhaps take collection tins with you when you’re next out and about in your festive attire.

Be a Good Cause Santa Claus and buy gifts from our shops

Our 19 charity shops are regularly replenished with some fantastic stock, from a variety of every-occasion clothing (Christmas party, the school show), to stocking fillers and even your workplace Secret Santa gift.

Shopping pre-loved is definitely the greener, more creative, fun and ethical way to shop this year.

Share your seasonal Devon Air Ambulance Charity shop purchase photos with us - we’d love to see them! (unless it’s a surprise, of course!)

You can't beat a Christmas quiz night

Is Die Hard really a Christmas film? Who was Christmas number one in 1987? And which pop legend features in the intro to The Snowman? Don the festive head wear/antlers/elf ears, bring the community together in your local pub or community centre and lay on a Christmas quiz. Everyone loves them, you can charge by person or by team and for festive refreshments, a raffle or anything else you want to lay on for a fun evening out.

Get homely with a Christmas gift-making crafternoon

Tree decorations, wreaths, greeting cards... there are all sorts of things the crafty among us can do to raise funds for charity, either through the participation in the event or the sale of your fantastic creations. There is no shortage of craft fairs too, but you might need to be quick to secure a space. Alternatively, perhaps organise a crafting event at a school or in your workplace. 

Christmas cookies bake sale

If you’re more about the baking than the making, then a traditional bake sale with a Christmas twist is a lovely thing to do with friends, family or colleagues. Christmas cookies, mince pies, chocolate logs or Christmas cakes are seasonal staples and can make great additions to the festive feasting or may even serve as delightful gifts. Share the load between several people and watch the donations roll in!

Let your hair down with a Christmas-themed dress-down day

Who says Hawaiian shirts aren’t suitable for December? Maybe the office is overrun with elves for a day, or perhaps you can encourage your colleagues to relax in pyjamas and teddy bear slippers of a morning in exchange for a donation? Dressing down is good for morale and an easy way to raise money for charity at a time of year when the rules are relaxed in the spirit of the season.

Donate to Devon Air Ambulance when you shop online

If you, or anyone you know, is shopping For gifts from Amazon Smile or Savoo, encourage them to choose Devon Air Ambulance as the beneficiary. These companies will donate a percentage of the purchase to your chosen charity at no extra cost to you.

Invite colleagues to donate instead of buying cards

Christmas cards are great, but do we really need one from each colleague? Why not consider making a donation to charity instead of buying Christmas cards this year? Tell your friends on Facebook that that is what you are doing - you might even encourage them to do the same - forgoing cards is also easier going on the natural resources.

If you are keen to send a few special people cards to convey your festive wishes, then you might want to pop into one of our charity shops to buy a pack of charity Christmas cards featuring iconic Devon scenes painted by local artists.

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There are all sorts of jolly ways to support your local Air Ambulance this Christmas, tell us about your fundraising event - we might be able to lend you some support. Don’t forget to tag us in your social posts too!