6-Step Guide: How to Organize a Giving Tree

Step 1: Choose Your Cause

Start by selecting the group or cause your Giving Tree will support. Will you collect gifts for local families, school staff, kids in foster care, seniors, shelter residents, or animals at a rescue? Think about the real needs in your community and the causes you're passionate about, then partner with a local charity or social services organization to ensure every donation reaches the right hands.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep it specific. Partnering with a local charity often comes with a wish list to work from, which means more targeted, thoughtful giving and less guesswork for your donors.

Step 2: Set Up Your Giving Tree (with a Twist)

Traditionally, each ornament or tag on a Giving Tree represents a wish or donation request. But you don't have to stick to the traditional format. A few creative approaches that attract more donors and more giving styles:

• Create a virtual Giving Tree via a free online SignUp, where donors can grab a wish from anywhere. If your list is long and you're short on time, email support@signup.com to ask about SignUp's Concierge Service to speed up the set up.
• Go beyond the tree. Display donation requests on a wall art Christmas tree, a wreath, garland, a giant chalkboard, or a bulletin board. Whatever fits your group's style works.
• Experience Gifts. Instead of physical gifts, encourage donations that provide experiences: museum tickets, nature park passes, or event tickets for children and families in need. Tags can list local options. Get more experience gift ideas here!
• Gifts of Time. Feature tags with volunteer opportunities like "Wrap Gifts for a Local Shelter," "Host Storytime for Kids," or "Deliver Meals to Seniors," giving donors who prefer to give their time a meaningful way to participate.
• Pet Gifts Tree. Partner with a local animal shelter and gather supplies like blankets, toys, or pet food. Tags can feature the name and photo of a shelter animal, giving the donation a personal touch.
• QR Code Wish Tags. Link each physical tag to a digital wish list (like an Amazon list) via QR code. Donors can scan, shop, and ship directly from their phones without ever setting foot in a store.
• Employer Matching. If your Giving Tree is workplace-based, check whether your employer offers gift or donation matching. A matched contribution doubles the impact of every item and is a compelling motivator for participation.
• Do all of the above. Attract more donors by offering multiple ways to give: a physical tree for those who love the ritual, a virtual SignUp for the convenience crowd, gift tags for shoppers, and volunteer Spots for those who'd rather give their time.

Step 3: Get the Word Out

Promoting your Giving Tree early is essential. The more people know about it, and the sooner they know, the more likely they are to participate. Use every channel available:

• Create a Giving Tree SignUp and invite participants by email directly through SignUp. Automated reminders handle the follow-ups for you.
• Share the SignUp link on social media, your website, and in newsletters.
• Use Canva to make festive social graphics with heartwarming visuals and post them across all your channels.
• Hang eye-catching posters at school, work, your community center, or your place of worship.
• Announce it at meetings, events, and anywhere you have a few minutes with the right audience.
• Ask participants to invite their own networks. The more the merrier when it comes to community giving.

Always include the key logistics: where gifts should be dropped off, whether they should be wrapped or unwrapped, how to label each gift, and the drop-off deadline. The clearer the instructions, the smoother the collection.

💡 Pro Tip: Share impact stories from past years. Real examples of how gifts made a difference are one of the most powerful things you can communicate to inspire new donors.

Step 4: Organize and Track the Donations

Keep things running smoothly with a system to track who has taken which tag, whether the gift has been purchased, and when everything needs to be returned. A free online SignUp is perfect for this: participants can claim a gift Spot, and you can see exactly what's been committed and what still needs a donor. Automated reminders take the follow-up off your plate entirely.

Step 5: Host a Gift Wrapping Party

Once the gifts are in, turn wrapping into a celebration. Gather your volunteers, put on a holiday playlist, and make an afternoon of it. Offer festive snacks and hot cocoa to keep spirits high as the ribbons and bows fly. A wrapping party transforms a logistical task into a community moment, and it's often when the real magic of a Giving Tree is felt.

Step 6: Deliver the Joy

Coordinate with your charity partner to arrange gift delivery. Whether you're delivering everything yourself or working with a volunteer team, witnessing the joy your Giving Tree brings is the best part of the whole process. Take a moment after delivery to share the outcome with everyone who participated: photos, a thank-you message, and the story of what your collective effort made possible. It makes people want to do it again next year.

Bonus Tips for a Flawless Giving Tree

• Start early. People get busy fast in November and December, so the sooner your tree is up (literally and virtually), the more time donors have to pick a wish and shop.
• Stay organized. Keep track of due dates, gift statuses, and any gaps in your SignUp so you can fill them before the deadline.
• Thank your donors publicly. A shout-out in a newsletter, a social media post, or a thank-you board at your event makes donors feel seen and appreciated, and makes others want to be part of it.
• Have fun with it. Make your Giving Tree a celebration of community and generosity, and people will look forward to it year after year.

With a little planning and a lot of heart, your Giving Tree will blossom into something truly meaningful. Ready, set, give!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a Giving Tree and how does it work?

A: A Giving Tree (also called an Angel Tree or Adopt-a-Family program) is a community giving initiative where participants choose a tag or wish from a tree, purchase the requested item, and return it for delivery to someone in need. It's a simple, tangible way for schools, workplaces, churches, and community groups to support local families and individuals during the holiday season.

Q: How do I organize a Giving Tree SignUp?

A: Use a free online SignUp to create Spots for each gift wish or donation request. Share the SignUp link via email, social media, and newsletters so donors can claim a wish from anywhere. SignUp sends automated reminders to keep everyone on track and gives you a real-time view of what's been committed.

Q: When should I start organizing a Giving Tree?

A: Aim to launch your Giving Tree in late October or early November. Starting early gives donors more time to participate and shop, and ensures gifts arrive before your delivery deadline. The earlier you start, the stronger your results.

Q: Can I run a virtual Giving Tree?

A: Absolutely. A virtual Giving Tree through signup.com works exactly like a physical one, but donors can claim a wish, shop, and arrange delivery from anywhere. It's especially useful for workplaces with remote teams, schools with far-flung families, and any group that wants to make participation as easy as possible.

You May Also Like:

Free Online Giving Tree SignUps

SignUp's Holiday Planning & Idea Center

SignUp Sheets for Recruiting Holiday Helpers

About the Author

Tara McAdams

Digital Marketing Manager, Content Strategist & Creator

Tara leads content strategy at SignUp and creates a variety of resources on a wide range of topics, including lifestyle trends, parent tips, prep for holidays, volunteer management, and event planning. More about Tara →