Start with the time and budget you actually have
Before choosing an activity, agree how much money you can spend, who can organise it and what your school is comfortable promoting. A small fundraiser that is easy to run can suit a busy PTA better than an event that needs many volunteers.
The comparisons below are planning guides, not earnings forecasts. Local costs, attendance and volunteer availability will affect the result. Report To Santa is our own fundraising option, so we explain how it works alongside the alternatives.
Compare six Christmas fundraising options
Use these starting points to shortlist an idea. Work out expected income less stock, fees, venue costs and other expenses before committing.
- Christmas fair — upfront cost: variable; volunteer effort: high. Funds come from stalls, refreshments and activities, less event expenses. Good when you already have a team and a venue.
- Christmas cards designed by pupils — upfront cost: depends on the supplier; volunteer effort: medium. Funds come from the agreed margin on orders. Check print deadlines, minimum orders and who handles delivery.
- Christmas jumper day — upfront cost: low; volunteer effort: low. Funds come from optional donations. Agree the plan with the school and welcome jumpers families already own or decorate.
- Festive bake sale — upfront cost: low to variable; volunteer effort: medium. Funds come from sales, less any purchased supplies. Follow your school’s food and allergen procedures.
- Pre-loved Christmas book or toy sale — upfront cost: low if items are donated; volunteer effort: medium. Funds come from sales. Agree what can be accepted, check items and plan what happens to anything left over.
- Personalised Santa voice message fundraiser — no joining fee or stock purchase; volunteer effort: mainly promotion. Your organisation earns 30% on qualifying purchases tracked through its fundraising link. Families buy directly from Report To Santa.
How the Santa voice message fundraiser works
An authorised organiser joins the Report To Santa school fundraising programme, completes the payout setup and receives a unique fundraising link. The school or PTA shares that link with parents through its approved channels.
A parent tells Santa about their child and chooses a personalised voice reply. Eligible purchases attributed to your organisation earn 30% of the qualifying amount received. Families can choose a £3.99 single reply or a seasonal pass. You do not collect payments, upload pupil lists or prepare the replies.
There is no guaranteed income. Tracking can be affected by cookies, privacy settings and device changes, and refunded or disputed purchases do not qualify. Ask families to click your fundraising link before each purchase. Check the programme page and partner terms for current payout dates, thresholds and eligibility.
Help parents understand what they are being offered
A short demonstration is easier to understand than a long description. Link to the demo and explain what the parent buys, what your organisation earns and that participation is optional.
Example newsletter wording: “We are raising funds for [school or PTA name] with Report To Santa. Parents can send a little story and receive a personalised Santa voice reply. If you choose to buy through our fundraising link, our organisation earns 30% on qualifying purchases. Taking part is optional: [add your fundraising link].”
Watch how a report becomes Santa’s voice reply, then find the organiser instructions and resources on our school and PTA fundraising page.
Make it easy for every family to feel included
Offer a clear explanation without pressure to donate or buy. Keep paid activities separate from classroom participation and avoid asking children to compete on how much their family spends.
Use approved parent communications and ask permission before posting in community groups. For physical events, agree accessibility, safeguarding, cash handling and any food arrangements with the school before promoting them.
Choose one fundraiser and a simple promotion plan
Pick an organiser, confirm school approval, check the costs and agree when to share the invitation. Start with one clear announcement, a demonstration or example and a reminder if appropriate.
Afterwards, compare the funds actually received with the costs and volunteer time. Keep useful notes so next year’s PTA can see what worked for your community.
Common questions
What is a Christmas fundraiser with little upfront spending?+
Optional donation days, donated book sales and a link-based Santa voice message fundraiser can avoid large stock purchases. Check the time, costs and school approval each option needs.
Can a small PTA run the Santa message fundraiser?+
Yes. An authorised organiser can join and share the fundraising link through approved parent communications. There is no stock to handle, but someone needs to manage the partner account and payout setup.
How much can a school raise?+
There is no guaranteed amount. Results depend on participation, purchase values and valid tracking. Report To Santa pays 30% of the qualifying amount received on eligible purchases attributed to the organisation.