The Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal

How it works?

From the 23rd November 2011 to 18th December 2011, members of the public are invited and encouraged to donate new, unwrapped gifts for children, families, older people and the homeless Gifts can be dropped off at any Superdrug store across the UK

The Salvation Army will then distribute the gifts to those in need in local communities, in time for Christmas morning

Suggested Gift List

• 0-3 years: soft toys, colourful and fun educational toys, cot mobiles, baby clothes, bath toys, CDs of suitable music and nursery rhymes.
• 3-5: dolls, cars, lorries, soft toys, colourful and fun educational toys books, CDs (music and nursery rhymes), suitable DVDS, colouring sets, pencils, crayons, books, puzzles
• 5-9: educational games & toys, stationery (colouring sets, pencils, crayons, school sets), CDs & family friendly DVDs, books, puzzles, wordsearch, crosswords,
• 9-12: games and toys, stationery, CDs, DVDs, books, T-Shirts, hair ornaments, gloves, scarves, hats 13-16: CDs, DVDs, books, toiletries (please try to ensure non-allergic ingredients if possible), gloves, scarves, hats, T-Shirts, hair ornaments.
• Older people: toiletries, scarves, socks, hosiery, handkerchiefs, ties, diaries and calendars, notecards, writing paper and pens, books, magazines, puzzle books, jigsaws, sudoku and crossword books, coffee, speciality teas, jams, biscuits, chocolates, photo frames, ornaments

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long has the appeal been running?

The Salvation Army has been working with local communities to provide gifts to local people in need at Christmas for many, many years. At national level the Christmas Present Appeal is now in it's fifth year, and before that we ran a similar appeal called Pass the Parcel for seven years, in partnership with ITV's This Morning programme.

2. How many gifts are donated each year?

Each year more than 150,000 gifts and toys are donated and distributed to local people in need.

3. How does the appeal work?

Members of the general public donate new, unwrapped gifts to their local Salvation Army, and at Superdrug and other local retailers working in partnership with local Salvation Army corps (churches). Many workplaces also organise gift collections with their employees. Salvation Army staff, friends and volunteers then collect, wrap and distribute the gifts to local people in need, in time for Christmas morning.

4. Where can I donate my gift?

Gifts can be donated at any Superdrug store, as well as directly to your local Salvation Army. For details click here.

5. Where do the presents go?

The gifts are distributed to those in need via The Salvation Army's own local networks, through local groups, charities and social services to ensure that as many families and children as possible benefit. The toys and gifts are distributed without discrimination or prejudice. Typical recipients include disadvantaged children, teenagers, families in crisis and lonely older people.

6. When will the appeal begin?

The Christmas Present Appeal officially runs from 23rd November to 18th December. However, some local Salvation Army centres will run the Appeal at slightly different times.

7. Can I donate a gift online?  

If you would like to donate a gift online we ask that you do it in the form of a gift voucher. Please have the voucher sent to this address:

Christmas Present Appeal Coordinator
The Salvation Army
101 Newington Causeway
London
SE1 6BN

The voucher will then be given to a child or person in need in the UK.

8. Can I donate money rather than a gift?

If you would prefer to donate money rather a gift, you could donate directly to your nearest Salvation Army centre, who would be pleased to put that gift towards the cost of buying a present for a child, young person or older person in the area. But you may also wish to give to our annual Christmas Appeal. This national fundraising appeal raises funds to provide Christmas boxes to families in need, Christmas lunches for lonely older people and accommodation over Christmas for homeless people. For more information or to donate click here.

9. Should I wrap the gift?

Please don't wrap the gift as our volunteers need to view each present to select which child, teenager or older person it would be appropriate for. However, please feel free to donate wrapping paper along with your gift.

10. Do you accept second hand toys and other items?

We believe every child and older person deserves a new gift at Christmas, and we are therefore unable to take used or second hand items for the Christmas Present Appeal. Any second hand goods donated may be sold in local Salvation Army charity shops to raise money for the local work and mission of The Salvation Army.

11. Can I start my own collection with colleagues or friends? 

Yes, you can start your own collection. However, you firstly will need to contact your local Salvation Army centre or corps (church) to let them know what you are planning. They can then help provide you with relevant promotional materials, media opportunities and pick up of the presents collected. Click here to find your nearest Salvation Army centre.

12. What is The Salvation Army?

The Salvation Army is an international church and charity working in 121 countries and offers friendship, support and very practical help to people of all backgrounds, ages and needs.

Here in the UK and Republic of Ireland territory, The Salvation Army runs a network of 800 social services centres and community churches, making it perfectly placed distribute Christmas Present Appeal gifts to those people in our society who are most at need at Christmas.