OnHand’s 12 Missions of Xmas is back for another year! We’ve got your ultimate guide to doing good during the festive season, broken up into approachable themes for all the causes you care about.
With some seriously cool prizes on the line, plus the opportunity to do a ton of good for communities and the climate, you won’t want to miss out on our biggest campaign of the year.
Did you know that the festive season is often the most charitable? For example:
42% of people say they are more likely to donate money at Christmas than any other time of year
61% of people are more likely to donate items (food, clothes, toiletries) than money over the festive period
40% of people say that they like to give at Christmas
With this in mind, let’s have a look at your 12 Missions of Xmas overview.
Overview
12 Missions of Xmas runs from 4 November to 15 December 2024, and the idea is simple. Complete any 12 actions over the course of 6 weeks to earn 12 additional trees for your company forest, as well as being in with the chance to win extra prizes.
The festive season can be one of the most difficult for a lot of people, which is why we’re focusing on social and climate issues that are close to all of our hearts.
We’ll be covering the following topics:
4 to 10 November: Help Fight Homelessness
11 to 17 November: End Isolation
18 to 24 November: Reach Out to Refugees
25 Nov to 1 Dec: Prevent Poverty
2 to 8 December: Support Sustainability
9 to 15 December: Get Together to Do Good
It also wouldn’t be 12 Missions of Xmas without some special prizes. This year, our top 12 OnHanders – that’s our OnHanders who complete the most missions out of everyone who participates – will earn some seriously cool bonuses. Check them out:
1st place – 100 additional trees in your company forest + £100 voucher of your choice
2nd place – 75 additional trees + £75 voucher
3rd place – 50 additional trees + £50 voucher
4th to 12th place – 30 additional trees
Let’s break down our individual themes.
Help Fight Homelessness (4 to 10 November)
Homelessness is an issue that is only growing each year. In the UK alone, over 150,000 children were living in temporary accommodation in March 2024. The number of UK households in temporary accommodation was up by 12% between 2023 and 2024.
It is estimated that, worldwide, over 150 million people are homeless. On top of that, more than 1.6 billion people live in inadequate accommodation.
Homelessness is a serious systemic problem, but here are some actions you can take this winter to help fight homelessness.
☕ Coffee Mate – buy a hot drink or food for a homeless person
🧥 Donate Your Coat – charities like Wrap Up hand out donated coats to people in need
😊 Friendly Chat – stop to have a chat with a homeless person
📺 Bitesize Talk – watch our bitesize talk with Simon Hewett-Avison
😴 CEO Big Sleepout – CEOs host a sleepout in support of homelessness
End Isolation (11 to 17 November)
Around the world, 1 in 4 people feel often or always lonely. When a quarter of our population experiences the same feelings of isolation, it’s clear that something needs to change in the way we look out for each other.
In addition to this, 17% of people feel more lonely during the festive season and across the Christmas period. For 12 Missions of Xmas, we’re looking to end isolation with actions that encourage us to reach out to others.
Some ideas include:
☎️ Befriending Call – pick up the phone and have a chat with an elderly or isolated person who needs support
🫂 Phone A Friend – phone a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while
💌 Spread Christmas Cheer – send cards or notes to your neighbours
💬 Create A Card For Bravery – create a card for a sick child in hospital
Reach Out to Refugees (18 to 24 November)
Refugee support is more prevalent than ever. With protests, riots, and unrest simmering below the surface, it’s crucial that we stand up for refugees and show our support in whatever way we can.
More than 100 million people worldwide have been displaced from their homes. The biggest causes of the refugee crisis are war and conflict, poverty, persecution, and climate change. Although many refugees are displaced to their neighbouring countries, some refugees have to make perilous journeys for a better living situation.
Reach out to refugees who may be feeling scared or alone this winter and show that you care.
✏️ Write A Letter To A Refugee – show your support by writing a short letter to a refugee
💻 Mentor a Young Refugee – support young refugees in your community through mentoring
🫧 Donate Hygiene Products – hygiene products are always in demand, so donate today
📺 Refugee Webinar – watch our webinar with Refugee Support, ‘From Crisis to Community: Changing the Narrative on Refugees’
Prevent Poverty (25 November to 1 December)
Nearly 10% of the world’s population lives in extreme poverty: that’s 1 in 10 people. As the cost of living climbs and basic necessities become harder to afford, making donations to people in need is crucial at this time of year.
The Trussell Trust, the UK’s leading food bank provider, distributed more than 3 million food parcels to families between April 2023 and March 2024 – the most parcels ever distributed by the Trussell Trust in a year.
If you can, use your 12 Missions of Xmas to make essential donations and show your support to people living in poverty during one of the toughest times of the year.
🥫 Donate To Your Local Food Bank – drop off much-needed food items
👕 Donate To Your Local Clothing Bank – donate unworn clothes that you don’t need
🫧 Donate Hygiene Products – hygiene products are always in demand, so donate today
🔥 Shoutout Warm Banks – warm banks are essential warm spaces, spread the word
Support Sustainability (2 December to 8 December)
Christmas is one of the highest carbon holidays of the year. In the UK in 2023, more than 20 million car journeys happened over the holiday period. Combined with extra paper and plastic waste, meat-heavy meals, and the demand for Christmas trees, our festive carbon footprint can be pretty sobering.
That’s not to say we shouldn’t celebrate the holidays, but it’s worth thinking about the changes we can make to our traditions to reduce the impact we have on the planet. After all – the Earth is for life, not just for Christmas!
Some small changes you can make to your festive traditions include:
🎁 Recyclable Wrapping Paper – swap plastic wrapping paper for an eco version
🌱 Meat Free Christmas – swap the turkey for a veggie option
🚂 No Car Christmas – hop on the train or coach to reach your holiday destinations
🎄 Secondhand Gifts – don’t buy new, and instead search for secondhand gifts
Get Together to Do Good (9 December to 15 December)
What better way to wrap up the work year than with a team get-together? There’s no better time to show camaraderie and get stuck into doing good with your colleagues. With tons of things to do that cover all of our 12 Missions of Xmas themes, what’s stopping you from spending some time with your team to make an impact?
💬 Create A Card For Bravery – create a card for a sick child in hospital
🗑️ Team Litter Pick – get out of the office and tidy litter in your local area
🧺 Team Donation Drive – set up a donation station for a cause you care about
🤲 Add Your Own Team Mission – add your unique team mission to the OnHand app
Let’s Make a Huge Impact
It’s important to remember that, although there are some fab prizes on the line, 12 Missions of Xmas is here to get us thinking about groups far less privileged who could do with some support.
Whether you’re buying a coffee for a homeless person on your local high street, writing a letter to a refugee who may be feeling isolated this winter, or swapping your Christmas turkey for a more planet-friendly option, every small action creates a huge impact.
Keep an eye out for more campaign assets, with even more ideas on how to make a difference this festive season. Let’s have our best year yet.
Not part of the OnHand community? Book a demo now to get your team involved.
