Christmas can sometimes feel like a sad time, especially if you don’t have the money to buy gifts. Luckily, there are several places that offer free Christmas gifts for those in need.
If you need Christmas gifts for your family, or you know someone else who does, we’ve done the research to find places that offer free Christmas gifts.
Places that offer free Christmas gifts
All of the places listed here offer free Christmas gifts. Each suggestion has its own rules and requirements for when you can get your free gift, how to apply and other qualifications.
- united way
United Way can help you get your free Christmas gift, either directly or by contacting organizations in your area.
United Way or their partner organizations may offer free Christmas gifts, free winter clothing, free food, and more.
It’s a one-stop shop for everything from natural disasters to personal disasters and more.
In addition, United Way has offices throughout the United States and around the world. This means that no matter where you live, you can get help or assistance.
If United Way can’t help you directly, their partnerships with other organizations around the globe mean they know if there’s an organization in your area that can help you and they can connect you with that organization.
- Dream Foundation
The Dream Foundation is dedicated to helping families who have lost or are in the process of losing a loved one to a terminal illness.
Eligible recipients include residents of the United States and Puerto Rico with a life expectancy of 12 months or less who do not have enough money to realize their dreams.
Apply for the Dream Foundation’s Dream Program and get a free Christmas gift for your child. You must state that you are looking to be part of the Dream Toy Program.
You can also apply to benefit from other parts of the program. Applications must come from terminally ill adults in families who wish to benefit from the program.
If you would like to help provide toys through the Dream Toy Program, you can donate online. If you live in Santa Barbara, California, you can apply online to become a volunteer.
- U.S. Postal Service Operation Santa Claus
The U.S. Postal Service’s Operation Santa Claus program began in 1912. more than 100 years later, the U.S. Postal Service is still committed to coordinating efforts to help families and children in need of Christmas gifts.
Operation Santa Claus does not give gifts to every child (or adult) who applies. However, they do give gifts to families and children in financial need.
Applying for a gift from Operation Santa Claus begins with writing your letter. Your letter should briefly summarize your financial hardship or the event that prompted your need for help purchasing a Christmas gift.
Then, write down what type of toys and clothing you would like to give your child for Christmas. Include the size and color of the clothes and the type of toy.
All mailings have a deadline; 12/12/2022. Be aware that not all letters sent get free gifts.
For this reason, it’s a good idea to have a back-up plan in case your (or your child’s) letter doesn’t make the cut.
Letters can be sent to.
Santa Claus
123 Elf Road.
North Pole, 88888
Be sure to write your return address on the envelope so that if your letter is selected, Operation Christmas Elf will know where to send your gift.
- Children’s Toys
The Marine Corps Toys for Tots program has been around since 1947. Founded by Major Bill Hendricks and his wife Diane, the organization distributed more than 5,000 toys in its first year.
To date, Toys for Tots has given away over 600 million toys. If you want to request a free Christmas gift from Toys for Tots, you must go through your local Toys for Tots chapter.
When you visit the Toys for Tots homepage, it will direct you to your local chapter. You may be eligible to receive a gift from the program if.
Your children are 18 years of age or older and still in school
You are the children’s guardian
The children live at the designated address
Your children will not receive any gifts this year that are not from Toys for Tots.
Toys for Tots applications are usually made through outside social service organizations and charities.
Your local club’s web page will tell you where you can apply. To have the best chance of being selected as a gift recipient, please submit your application as soon as possible.
- Family Giving Tree
The Family Christmas Tree has been around for over 30 years and if they live in the Bay Area, they get a free Christmas gift. The organization works with over 300 social service agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area.
If you live in the neighborhood, you can contact a nearby social service agency or charity and ask if you can get a free Christmas gift from the Family Giving Tree.
All applications and other steps will be processed through the agency that partners with the Family Giving Tree.
- The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree
The Salvation Army is a charitable organization founded in 1865. The charity’s Angel Tree program provides free Christmas gifts to those in need.
You must visit the Angel Tree website to see if there is a location in your area and if you qualify for a free Christmas gift.
Please note that this organization, like the others listed here, may require you to provide documentation to prove your identity and that you are in need of financial assistance in the form of Christmas gifts.
These measures are implemented by charitable organizations so that they can ensure that their free gifts go to families that truly need them.
- Frontline Holiday Toy Drive
If you are a military (or veteran) family in need of free Christmas gifts, you can contact Operation Frontline.
“Operation Frontline was created over a decade ago to strengthen and support military families.
From housing assistance to critical financial aid to veteran support, the program works with military and veteran families to help meet their needs.
Visit the Operation Rearguard website and go to the Family Programs page to learn how to apply for the organization’s Holiday Toy Drive.
- Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree
Prison Fellowship is a ministry that helps restore the criminal justice system and its impact.
One branch of the organization’s restoration goals is its Angel Tree Ministry. The Angel Tree Ministry provides gifts, including Christmas gifts, to the children of incarcerated men and women.
The organization also provides summer camps and sports camps for these children.
Visit the Angel Tree page on the Prison Fellowship website to learn more about this program and how to apply to receive gifts from this program.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Boys & Girls Clubs of America has chapters throughout the United States. Some of these chapters provide Christmas gifts through their “Kids Can Give” program.
Children served by Boys & Girls Clubs of America can “buy” gifts to take home for Christmas. Gifts are provided by generous donors.
If your child needs a mentor in their life, have them join the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
- Lions Clubs
Founded in 1917, Lions Clubs International is a non-political service organization with clubs around the world.
Lions clubs assist with a variety of needs in specific Rotary communities. They connect with local organizations to help children who don’t have Christmas presents get them for free.
With more than 1.4 million members, this organization has a considerable impact on local communities during the Christmas season and throughout the year.
Contact your local Lions club and ask if you can get a free Christmas gift.
- Catholic Charities
Founded in 1910, Catholic Charities provides a variety of services to local residents in need.
In addition to the Adopt-A-Family program, which helps needy families receive Christmas gifts, holiday meals, and other items, Catholic Charities helps in the following areas
Housing assistance
Food shelf assistance
Social enterprise initiatives
disaster relief
and other services. Contact your local Catholic Charities office for specific details on receiving free Christmas gifts through the Adopt-A-Family program and other initiatives.
- Local Independent Charities/Businesses
Last but not least, contact local independent charities and businesses for places to find free Christmas gifts.
Many non-chain charities and businesses, such as local banks, have programs that sponsor families for Christmas each year.
The goal of these programs is usually to support families who are going through difficult times or struggling financially.
Eligibility requirements for all of these programs vary, however, so don’t hesitate to do some research to see if you are eligible to apply or participate in some way.
- Santa’s Little Helpers
Santa’s Little Helpers is an online community through Reddit that organizes free Christmas gifts for children in need.
If you’re struggling to provide Christmas gifts for your children this year, visit the Santa’s Little Helpers Reddit page to request some free Christmas gifts for your children.
Once your post is approved, Reddit members can view it and choose whether or not to fulfill your request.
There is no guarantee that your request will be approved, or that Reddit users will approve your request.
However, the program has been running since 2013 and continues to thrive. You need to join Reddit to post your request for a free gift and complete the gift request.
- Online Garage Sale Freebies
Another place you can find free Christmas gifts is by searching the “free” section of online garage sale sites like Craigslist, OfferUp, and Facebook.
You may be surprised at all the free items you find on these types of sites.
When I searched sites in my area for research purposes, here are some of the freebies I found on Craigslist and Facebook.
Various costumes
Ballet flats in perfect condition
Hair clips and hair ties
A free backpack
A children’s drawing table
A train table
Free dolls
And many other free toys and games. Many of the options are in excellent condition. Of course, you’ll want to clean and sanitize these before bringing them home.
This is especially true of costumes, hair accessories, and stuffed animals.
If you’re not willing to take free toys from strangers, another option is to ask family and friends to see if they have toys they want.
If you’re not willing to take the toys for free, consider making trades, such as washing their car or babysitting for them, in exchange for your free toys.
- YMCA or YWCA
The YMCA and YWCA are both non-profit organizations that work to strengthen individuals and communities. They partner with other organizations to provide services to those in need.
Individual chapters can decide for themselves what to provide, and many provide clothing, educational supplies, meals and toys for low-income members.
In some cases, the YMCA may set up a store from what is donated and then parents can come in and choose gifts for their children.
To find out what’s available near you, contact your local chapter.
- Freecycle network
“Freecycle is a grassroots, non-profit movement where people exchange items for free in their neighborhoods and communities. The goal is to keep trash out of landfills and build relationships.
You’ll need to find a group in your neighborhood to join, and then you can either wait for someone to offer an item you want, or create a Wanted list to make a request.
It’s best to be specific and ask for things like Barbie dolls, train toys, coats, etc. Big ticket items like bikes and play kitchens are usually offered here because they are hard to pass on when people no longer need them.
- Craigslist
You’ve no doubt heard of Craigslist as a marketplace for selling items, but did you know that people can give away items for free on Craigslist? Look for the “Free” section under the “For Sale” category on every Craigslist site.
It’s not uncommon to see big-ticket items like carpet remnants and large furniture in the “free” section, but a quick search for “toys” brings up a lot for me too. This is a great place to find outdoor toys and gently used items.
- No Buy Program
One of my favorite ways to get a lot of stuff for free is through the “Don’t Buy Stuff” program. It’s a gift economy platform that operates primarily through Facebook, but they now also have a mobile app and will soon have a web platform.
“The mission of the Don’t Buy Anything Program is to connect people and build community through hyperlocal gifts.
Members can create three types of posts.
Gift Post – Giving something that someone else can use
Ask Post – ask for something you can use
Show appreciation in your community.
Everything in the exchange is completely free with no strings attached.
To start looking for free Christmas gifts, simply download the “Buy Nothing” program app or search for “Buy Nothing” in Facebook groups in your area.
Summarize.
There are plenty of places to buy free Christmas gifts if you know where to look. Get in touch with the organizations listed here, or with independent charities and businesses near you.
Another option is to search online for free Christmas gifts. There are some great ideas online to help you get free Christmas gifts.
Some ideas include a play date at the park with your kids, a baking day, a movie night at home or a craft day. Make the gift of an experience for your loved ones that won’t cost a dime but will bring back memories for years to come.
As the old saying goes, the best things in life are free.
