Volunteer in Melbourne: 7 Ways to Give Back This Christmas

The lead up to Christmas can be a very busy time of the year, between wrapping up a working year and attending to your shopping list — it can be difficult to stop and reflect on those who are facing hardships over the festive season.

And whilst they say it’s the thought that counts, sometimes it’s best to put those thoughts into action, to help make someone else’s Christmas, truly merry.

From volunteer work to charity donations to beautiful art posters making a difference, here are just some of the ways you can give back these holidays.

The Smith Family’s Giving Tree

The Smith Family has a long and proud association with Christmas, and this year is no exception. With the generous support of over 2,000 volunteers, The Smith Family will be brightening the lives of children in need, making sure they have the essentials they need to kick start their 2024 school year on the right foot. That means delivering toy and book packs to over 25,000 disadvantaged children across Australia. So if you’d like to get a small glimpse as to what being Santa may feel like, you can donate your time by setting up your Giving Tree today (whether it's as a workplace, community club, school or on your own). Register here.

Buy gift vouchers for children and families

Melbourne City Mission is gratefully accepting gift vouchers for children and families in need over the festive season. For this, you can either buy a voucher from any JB Hi-Fi, or Coles Group & Myer (including Kmart, Target and Officeworks) stores, or, you can donate money through their website and Melbourne City Mission will buy a voucher on your behalf. Both options will lead to a gift being purchased that’s perfectly suited to those who need it most. 

Drop off a gift at Target

Target and UnitingCare have been in partnership since 1992, helping raise money and collect gifts for those less fortunate. There are two ways to get involved; the first is by simply purchasing a gift and dropping it off at any Target store in Melbourne, and the second, is by making a donation online here. If possible, try and donate your gift early so that UnitingCare representatives can ensure they are distributed in time for Christmas.

Supply Christmas baskets

Melbourne Basket Brigade’s mission this Christmas is simple — to deliver over 750 hampers to disadvantaged families this Christmas. But just like Santa, they are in need of some little helpers, be that helping to sort, wrap, pack and deliver baskets anonymously to those who have fallen on hard times in the city of Melbourne. Everyone is welcome to come along and help on the 16th and 17th of December at Caulfield Grammar in St Kilda East, and you can either register your interest online here or register on the day.

Buy a Christmas treat so others can eat

St Mary's House of Welcome is excited to be partnering with cookie maker, Sweet Caroline, to bring stunningly delicious gingerbread houses to their supporting community this festive season. Perfect as a gift for family, friends, colleagues or customers! Or maybe as a sweet treat just for you...

These premium DIY Gingerbread House of Welcome kits are handmade in Melbourne with everything you need to design your own gingerbread house, including premade gingerbread walls, lollies, an icing kit, base and instructions. There's even a deluxe Gingerbread House of Welcome; a delicious showstopper, meticulously assembled and elegantly wrapped in cellophane with a festive Christmas ribbon.

By purchasing either a gingerbread kit or house, you will be supporting people experiencing chronic homelessness and disadvantage in Melbourne. Funds raised will go directly to the St Mary’s House of Welcome “Welcome Relief” meals program, and to provide emergency support for those in need throughout Christmas and the New Year.

Buy a beautiful culinary-focused poster (that also helps others)

Spread some Christmas cheer to those in need – and earn your stripes with friends and family in the process, by purchasing one of these culinary food posters this year. Your purchase with Food For Everyone goes on to directly support people experiencing food insecurity.

For each poster purchased, FFE donate the equivalent of 10 meals through their charity partner SecondBite. They've already donated $151,566.13 to a host of Australian charities which equates to roughly 750,000 meals for people in need! 

Food For Everyone was born out of a simple love for sharing food with family and friends, so these beauties really are the perfect Christmas gift - but with the added bonus of being able to spread that joy of food to anyone who seeks it, to help ensure that all Australians have access to nutritious and culturally appropriate food.

Light up your homes for sick kids this Christmas

Just as Starlight Children's Foundation is a light in the darkness for seriously ill kids, they're now encouraging communities to spread happiness by putting up lights and light up their neighbourhood this Christmas.

Whether you deck the halls and light up your whole house, Christmas tree, or place of work, turn your Christmas lights display into a fundraiser for sick kids to make a real difference in their lives.

Join Starlight's Christmas Lights fundraising team to collect donations online. If you raise $250 or more you can even earn a festive Starlight Beach House Candle. 

If you're keen to find more ways to volunteer in Melbourne, check out these other ways to give back around the city, plus the Australian female focused charities that deserve your support.