Thank you for your interest in the Christmas Box Appeal. Whether you are simply thinking about joining in, or your business or community group has committed to supporting the appeal, hopefully you will find all the information you need to make a decision or get started here.
If you have any questions, please do get in touch via christmas@houseofopportunity.org or on 07562 794 444.
Can my company or group join in?
We would love to have your support! Our logistics coverage is mainly limited to Southern England, South & West London (not central), and South Wales. If you are northeast of the M40, west of the M5 or east of the M/A23 please get in touch and we’ll see how we can get you involved.
There are two different ways your business or community group can take part in the appeal, so take a look at the options below to decide which you think would suit your organisation best. You can then use the sign-up form via the button below to register for this year’s appeal. Thank you!
Sign-up for Christmas Box Appeal 2026
The deadline for signing your business or group up to support the Christmas Box Appeal is 5th November.
Deadline for all boxes to get to us in Salisbury this year is Friday 27th November, but we may be able to collect directly from your organisation during the two weeks before this date.
OPTION 1:
Individuals make boxes at home.
This is the most familiar way of making boxes. The process usually looks something like:
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Your org confirms its support for this year’s Christmas box appeal.
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Colleagues or members take home a leaflet each, containing instructions on how to make a box and make a donation for its shipping (£4 suggested), along with ideas and suggestions of what to put in the box. Leaflets can be downloaded (below) and printed, or e-mailed/shared. Alternatively, you can order full-size leaflets from us when signing up for the appeal online.
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Boxes are bought in by a deadline date fixed by participating org and House of Opportunity (typically mid-November) or
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House of Opportunity may be able to collect your boxes.
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Boxes are checked & packed for shipping and…
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Distributions normally take place in SE Europe in December.
OPTION 2:
Collective approach.
This way offers the chance for people in your organisation to collaborate in making up and donating Christmas boxes.
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After initial approach to/from House of Opportunity your org agrees to support campaign.
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Individuals take home lists of items to purchase for boxes. Lists supplied by us – see resources, below. Items can be bought and donated, such as:
Sweets
Small toys
Balls
Jigsaws
Skipping ropes
Combs & hair accessories
Pens/pencils/cases
Colouring books
Sticker books
Toothpaste/brushes
Soap/facecloths
Gloves/Hats/Scarves
Buying items in bulk will be cheaper and less time intensive.
We ask for a donation of £4 per box to help with shipping and distribution costs. This can be requested via the “ask” that features on the items lists, which also includes a direct donation method. Some companies support their employees by paying the £4 per box that we ask for shipping, or may match donations. Worth an ask!
In addition, empty shoeboxes will need to be sourced (size up to 320mm long x 180mm wide x 118mm deep) and wrapped (requires patience!).
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Items are brought into work/group. Time slots could be set for departments/teams to make up boxes on a day of your choosing, following the process and guidance supplied below (under Resources).
Things to consider when preparing boxes:
Variety Add in warm things to wear, practical items, tasty treats, fun items (content suggestions).
Condition New or nearly new in good, working order
Quality Ask yourself, “would I be happy to receive this box..?” All boxes are opened and checked by our volunteers, and unsuitable contents are removed.
Category: We always need more boxes for teens!Boxes are bought in by a deadline date fixed by participating org and House of Opportunity (typically mid-November) or
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We may be able to collect your boxes.
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Boxes are checked & packed for shipping and…
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Distributions normally take place in SE Europe in December.
Resources
Downloadable templates and materials to support OPTION 2.
Christmas box items lists
We can supply you with some lists like those pictured. You can tell us how many of these you want via the registration form. We will supply four different lists to make sure you are able to ask for a spread of items (e.g. if 20 lists are requested – we will supply 5 of each of the four different item lists). An example list can be seen here.
Alternatively, you can download and edit your own version that you can then print out and distribute, below.
Download items lists
Word version of items list that you can edit, then print & distribute.
Download lists
Guidance for running Christmas box packing sessions, and a “How to” for those making up the boxes.
Box labels, posters, ideas for Christmas box contents and guidance on unsuitable items.
Sign-up for Christmas Box Appeal 2026
The deadline for signing your business or group up to support the Christmas Box Appeal is 5th November.
Deadline for all boxes to get to us in Salisbury this year is Friday 27th November, but we may be able to collect directly from your organisation during the two weeks before this date.
Further ways your business or group can get involved
Sponsor the Christmas Box Appeal
The costs of collecting, preparing, shipping and distributing the boxes soon mount up. Any assistance with these costs will help us to plan and release more donor’s money toward our long-term projects. If you or your business or organisation would like to sponsor this year’s appeal, or support it in kind, please do get in touch at christmas@houseofopportunity.org or on 07562 794 444.
Bring a group to help sort & pack Christmas boxes in Salisbury this coming November
We rely on our fabulous donors and volunteers to make this project a success. Would some of your colleagues or members like to help us sort the thousands of Christmas boxes we are hoping to receive this year? This is open to groups of people age 11+ (under 18’s groups must be accompanied by responsible adults).
Get in touch at volunteering@houseofopportunity.org to find out more.
Information about this year’s Christmas box depot, including location and opening times, can be found here.
Some of our volunteers took the time to tell us what they like about helping to sort & pack the Christmas boxes.