Christmas card fundraisers offer schools a practical way to raise money while celebrating the festive season. Parents appreciate receiving cards featuring their children’s artwork, and schools benefit from a relatively straightforward fundraising campaign that requires minimal upfront investment. When organised well, these initiatives can generate meaningful revenue whilst engaging your school community in something genuinely enjoyable.
Why Christmas Card Fundraising Works
Christmas card fundraisers succeed because they offer tangible value to parents and families. Rather than asking for donations alone, you’re providing a product people actually want to purchase and send. Parents often buy multiple packs to send to grandparents, godparents, and friends, which increases the fundraising potential per child.
The timing naturally works in your favour too. Most families send Christmas cards anyway, so purchasing ones featuring their child’s artwork feels like a worthwhile investment rather than an obligation. Schools typically retain 30-50% of sales, making this a genuinely profitable venture when executed properly.
There’s also an emotional appeal that shouldn’t be underestimated. These cards become keepsakes that families treasure for years. Many parents report keeping at least one card from each year as a memento of their child’s development and creativity.
How to Organise Your Christmas Card Fundraiser
Start planning in September to allow enough time for design, printing, and delivery before families need to send their cards. Contact fundraising companies that specialise in school Christmas cards—many offer free starter packs and handle the entire printing and distribution process.
Have each child create their artwork during art lessons. Provide clear size specifications from your chosen printing company and consider setting a theme to give children creative direction whilst maintaining variety. Scan or photograph each design at high resolution to maintain quality in the final printed cards.
Send information packs home with order forms and samples. Make ordering straightforward with multiple payment options including online ordering if available. Set a clear deadline for orders and communicate this repeatedly to parents through newsletters, text messages, and at pick-up times.
Coordinate with your printing company on delivery timelines. Most companies need 2-3 weeks for production, so factor this into your schedule. Plan how you’ll distribute completed orders—many schools hand them out during parent evenings or at pick-up times to minimise administrative burden.
Designing Cards That Parents Want to Buy
The artwork matters more than you might think. Whilst parents will generally support their child’s creation regardless, certain approaches tend to sell better than others. Encourage designs that feel festive without being overly cluttered. Simple compositions often reproduce better on cards than highly detailed drawings.
Consider offering different card formats such as folded cards, postcards, or multi-packs. Some families prefer traditional folded cards whilst others appreciate the lower cost of postcards. Providing options increases the likelihood that parents will purchase multiple packs.
Quality matters significantly here. Work with reputable printing companies that use good card stock and clear printing processes. Poor quality cards reflect badly on the school and reduce the likelihood that families will participate in future fundraisers. Request samples before committing to a supplier.
Include the child’s name and age on the back of each card. This small detail transforms the cards from generic children’s artwork into personalised keepsakes that parents genuinely value and often frame or save.
Making This Christmas Count
School fundraising Christmas cards offer more than just financial benefits. They provide children with pride in seeing their work transformed into a real product, give families cherished keepsakes, and bring your school community together through a shared creative project.
The key to success lies in thorough planning, clear communication, and attention to quality. Start early, choose your printing partner carefully, and actively promote the fundraiser to maximise participation. When done well, this can become an anticipated annual tradition that your school community looks forward to year after year.