Having a fundraiser as your Christmas party is a wonderful way to celebrate the spirit of the Christmas season. And since fundraisers are just parties with a purpose, everyone will have a blast as they help out a worthy cause!

Christmas Fundraiser Invitations

The first thing you need to decide is what organization you are supporting. There are many worthy organizations out there, and if you have one that is near and dear to your heart, go for it! If you need a few ideas, check out CharityNavigator.org to find a worthy cause.

Send an invitation that will catch everyone's attention, and get you on their busy holiday calendars. A personalized Christmas invitation is perfect! It would be great sent in a small gift box, (who could resist a party when the invitation is in a gift box?!)

After you decide on the organization you want to support and your invitation design, you must decide how you are going to collect for them. Most organizations prefer monetary donations. An organization can usually stretch a dollar farther, and use it to help more people. You can charge a cover at the door of the party, which can then be donated. Or you can have guests bring something the organization needs, like a gift or canned food. No matter how you are collecting, make sure to mention the preference on the invitation to the event; "Donation of $10 at the door", "Please bring a new, unwrapped gift". You may also want to include tax-deduction information, a description of the organization, and any sponsors and donors.

Christmas Fundraiser Decorations and Party Supplies

Since the object of your fundraiser is to raise money for your charity, you don't want to overspend on decorations. There are some low cost ways to make a big impact at your party which won't break the bank.

Start with Christmas balloons, which are economical and fill up a large space nicely! Balloons are perfect for decorating tables, buffets, the bar, and the dance floor. We love these snowflake balloons, which you can link together to form balloon chains or arches. Or fill the room with Christmas tree latex balloons in bunches.

Ceiling decorations are also inexpensive, fun, and easy to put up. They work great in a concentrated area like a hallway, or over a dance floor.

Try and create a focal point somewhere in the room. Have volunteers decorate a Christmas tree, and pile empty cardboard boxes in wrapped in Christmas paper underneath it. Make sure to have lots of "presents", since your theme is "The Gift of Giving"! You can even set up a nostalgic fireplace near the tree for a cozy display.

If you are having a stage where announcements and speeches are being given, create a backdrop with Christmas scene setters.  Or maybe you have a lobby or seating area that needs a little dressing up? Hang up a personalized banner with a note of thanks to all of the attendees, or maybe an inspirational message on it - "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give" - Sir Winston Churchill.

Echo your "Gift of Giving" theme in your table decorations as well. For nice, inexpensive centerpieces make a tower of gift boxes wrapped with holiday wrapping paper and tied together with beautiful wide holiday ribbon. If you have room in your budget, why not make the tower of gifts out of actual gifts? Stack a few board games and boxed toys on top of one another, and tie the pyramid together with ribbon. Make a little table tent that lets guests know that the toys will be donated. If you are in a large room you should attach a balloon bouquet to the boxes for extra height. You can add a little extra sparkle to your table by sprinkling Christmas confetti across the table top.

Fundraising Activities

So how are you going to raise money? Besides asking for a donation at the door, here are a few more tried and true fundraising activities:

• Silent Auction…If you have a lot of people in a room, you should definitely have a silent auction. Put together a committee to approach local merchants as well as board members and others to donate products and services.

• Program Book…Sell advertisements to local merchants as well. They will get great visibility and good will throughout the community by supporting your event - make sure to tell them that!

• Raffle…Get a great prize donated, or do a 50/50 raffle. Sell raffle tickets during cocktail hour and also from table to table.

• Photo Opportunities…set up a Christmas photo op and ask for a small donation for an instant photo.

Christmas Fundraiser Party Favors

Thank your guests for their generous support by sending them home with a gift of their own. Wrapped chocolate, holiday candy, or gourmet coco mix in a cute Christmas gift bag is always well received.

But if you really want to give a special favor, let Creations For You personalize a candy bar with a "sweet" message. Your guests will love the unique, personalized design wrapped around quality milk or dark chocolate.