Online Christmas fundraising with a digital experience

How an Irish charity can run an online Christmas appeal where every gift becomes an ornament, star, present or envelope. Four concepts, honestly explained.

In short An online Christmas fundraiser with a digital experience turns every gift into something visible: an ornament, a star, a present or an envelope, with a card from the giver. There are four experiences, Glow Room, Starry Sky, Gift Yard and Card Wall. All four are concepts until the official launch. You pick one and share the link.

A standard donation page asks for an amount and ends there. A Christmas experience gives your supporter a small moment as well: writing a card, choosing a spot and watching their gift appear among everyone else's. For an Irish charity, that is a Christmas appeal people can see growing.

What is a digital Christmas experience?

It is a 3D scene on a web page where each gift gets its own place and its own card. A donor gives, the gift becomes an object in the scene, and any visitor can look around and read the cards. Your logo and charity name sit at the top.

You do not build anything. You choose colours, logo, name and text. One thing to be upfront about: the four experiences are a concept until the official launch. The demos on the Christmas fundraising hub run in example mode, with data from a made up organisation.

The four experiences, one by one

All four use the same card and the same gift. Only the mood changes, so choose the one that sounds like your charity and your supporters.

Glow Room: a Christmas tree in a warm living room

The Glow Room is a 3D living room with a Christmas tree and a fireplace. Your donor picks an ornament from your charity, each with its own price, writes a card and hangs it on a gold ring on the tree. In the demo, candles, lamps and the fireplace light up as the campaign moves towards its goal.

This suits a charity that wants the whole community to light a room together. You also choose the tree and the ornaments your donors see.

Starry Sky: every gift becomes a star

In the Starry Sky, your donors look up at the night sky above a Christmas market with a Ferris wheel. They pick a star in a shape and colour you provide, write a card and see the star land above the market. Arrows fly you from star to star, and a click opens the card.

Every star is the same size and brightness, and the amount is not shown. That makes it a calm, atmospheric choice, and nobody feels judged on what they gave.

Gift Yard: fly to the next present

The Gift Yard is the playful one. In the demo it is a snowy yard with a log cabin, a fire and a Christmas tree, and the setting is chosen for your campaign: forest, village, frozen lake, cabin or library. Each gift becomes a present with a card, and visitors fly to the next one.

You choose the wrapping paper, the bow and the layout. Visitors can search for a present by name or use the arrows. It gives every giver a present of their own, which works well for families and schools.

Card Wall: envelopes on a string

On the Card Wall, every gift becomes an envelope with a stamp and a wax seal. Your donor picks a stamp, each with its own price, and the colour of the seal. Then they write the card. Visitors search by name, read the cards one by one or share the wall.

Choose it if you want a personal, handwritten feel, like a wall of Christmas cards that adds up to one big greeting.

How a donor gives

The path is the same in all four experiences: choose, write, pay, watch it appear. Nobody has to read instructions, which keeps the barrier low.

  1. Pick an ornament, star, wrapping paper or stamp.
  2. Write a card with a name, who it is for and a message or wish. A photo is optional.
  3. Choose an amount and pay in the next step.
  4. See the gift appear and read other people's cards.

Without a photo, the card shows the giver's initials.

How to do it with WeGlow.world

WeGlow.world is the charity platform these experiences run on. You create an account on WeGlow.world, set up your charity and campaign, then give the experience your colours, logo and the text of your appeal.

The donation page itself is the WeGlow.world one: a gift in three steps (amount, personal details, summary) that works on a phone, with one off and monthly gifts on offer. Supporters can also start their own fundraising page for your campaign, so your community carries the appeal with you. If you have filled in a thank you text, it goes to the donor automatically after their gift.

For the wider plan around the experience, read how to plan a Christmas fundraiser in six weeks. If you are still choosing a format, start with Christmas fundraising ideas for Irish charities. Running a stall as well? See the Christmas market fundraiser guide.

What to sort before you start

An online appeal where each gift comes with a card is not a raffle and, as far as we know, not a street collection, but we could not confirm how the rules treat online appeals, so ask the Gardaí if unsure. Three points need your attention.

  • Charitable Donation Scheme: a charity approved by Revenue can claim back tax on a donor's gifts of €250 or more in a year, grossed up at 31 per cent. On €1,000, that is €449.27 for the charity. The donor gives permission with a certificate and shares a PPSN. Check that your charity is an approved body with Revenue.
  • Emails: the Data Protection Commission says marketing emails need clear opt-in consent. Ask for it, including from past donors.
  • Raffles and collections: if you add a raffle or a collection in a public place, a Garda permit may be needed. Check with the Garda or GRAI first.

We have not confirmed how the scheme certificate would be collected on a WeGlow.world donation page, so ask Revenue or WeGlow.world before you promise it to donors.

Which experience should you choose?

Pick by mood, then by audience. If you hesitate, think about who will share the link and what they would like to see on their phone.

  • Glow Room: a shared, cosy moment for a whole community.
  • Starry Sky: calm and quiet, with no amounts shown.
  • Gift Yard: playful, good for families and schools.
  • Card Wall: personal and handwritten.

How do you share it?

Share the link on the same day as your appeal email and keep it simple. Start about six weeks before Christmas, ask 5 to 10 supporters to share it first, and send one reminder in the last week. A personal message from a staff member beats a generic post.

Frequently asked questions

Short answers to what charities usually ask first about the experiences.

Are the experiences live yet?

No. They are a concept until the official launch, and the demos run in example mode with a made up organisation. Follow the hub for news.

Can I use my own colours and logo?

Yes. You use your charity's colours, and your logo and name appear at the top of the room, sky, yard or wall.

Can other visitors see how much someone gave?

In the Starry Sky, no: every star is the same size and the amount is not shown. For the other experiences, check the demo on the experience page.

Does a donor have to write a card?

A message goes with each gift. The photo and the name of who the card is for are optional.

Do donors get tax relief?

Under the Charitable Donation Scheme the approved charity claims, not the donor, and only for €250 or more a year. Check the details with Revenue.

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