How to Make a Holiday Giving Tree

Want to help children's wishes come true this holiday season? Then set up a giving tree in your place of business.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Christmas Trees
• Cardboard
• Tinsel
• Candy Canes
• String
• Toys

1. Contact local social service agencies and civic organizations to let them know you'd like to host a giving tree.
2. Expect that the agency will interview kids to find out what gifts they would most like to receive this holiday season.
3. Remember that good locations for the trees include offices, stores, banks, restaurants, libraries, and colleges and universities.
4. Buy a live or artificial tree and place it in the lobby, cafeteria or other area where many people pass through.
5. Collect cards or card-stock "ornaments" that the coordinating agency has prepared containing a child's name, age and gift request.
6. Hang the cards on the tree for people to see.
7. Suggest that colleagues, family, friends and others select a wish they want to fulfill and remove the card from the tree.
8. Ask the donor to purchase the gift requested and wrap it and return it to place under the tree.
9. Remind them to attach the request card to be sure the gift is given to the right child.
10. Arrange for the gifts to be delivered to the coordinating agency to give to the kids in time for Christmas.
11. Check to be sure that every child's wish has been filled. You want to be sure that no one has been overlooked.
12. Suggest that other area businesses help sponsor the activity, either by providing money for the gifts or by asking employees to fill the requests.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure that the item each child requests is an appropriate choice.
• Begin a few months in advance so there will be plenty of time to collect and wrap all the gifts prior to the holidays.
• Help to host a holiday party for the kids for when they open their gifts.