Gifts in honor at Christmas: how to run a tribute giving campaign
fundraisingyear-end givingdonor stewardship
Every December, people go looking for a present for the person who has everything. A gift to a cause that person loves, made in their honor, is one of the most meaningful answers. Christmas is also a season when many families feel the absence of someone they have lost, and a gift in their memory can mean a great deal. Tribute gifts let your donors do both. Here is how to run a simple, warm tribute campaign this Christmas.
What is a tribute gift?
A tribute gift is a donation made in honor or in memory of someone. The donor gives the gift and receives the tax receipt. The person being honored, or their family, receives a note letting them know a gift was made in their name. In most cases, the amount is kept private.
At Christmas, tribute gifts do something ordinary presents cannot. They are thoughtful, they arrive instantly, they do not need wrapping, and they support work the recipient cares about.
In honor of, or in memory of
The two types of tribute gift feel very different, so it helps to treat them differently in your wording.
| In honor of | In memory of | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | A living person: a parent, teacher, coworker, friend, or client | Someone who has passed away |
| Why donors give it | As a Christmas present or a thank-you | To remember someone during a season when they are missed |
| Tone | Warm and celebratory | Gentle and quiet |
| Who gets the note | Usually the honoree | Usually a family member |
Setting up your donation form
The best tribute campaigns ask for very little extra information. Your donor needs to tell you four things:
- Whether the gift is in honor or in memory of someone
- The name of the person being honored
- An optional personal message
- Who should be told about the gift, and their email address
In DonorsBase, donors tick "Dedicate this gift in honor or memory of someone" on your donation form, choose "In honor of" or "In memory of," and fill in those details. DonorsBase then emails a short note to the person they chose to notify. The note shares the donor's message, and the gift amount is kept private. The donor still receives their tax receipt as usual, and the tribute is recorded with the donation so your team can see it later.
Who gets the tax receipt?
The tax receipt always goes to the person who made the gift, not the person being honored. Make this clear on your form so donors are not surprised, and so honorees are not confused when they receive a note rather than a receipt.
Wording that works
You do not need a separate campaign page. A few lines on your existing donation page and in your December emails are enough.
For your donation page:
"Looking for a meaningful Christmas gift? Make a donation in honor of someone you love, and we will send them a note letting them know. It is the perfect present for the person who has everything."
For a last-minute email subject line:
- "A Christmas gift that arrives today"
- "Still shopping for someone special?"
- "The present that does not need wrapping"
For memorial gifts, keep it gentle:
"Christmas can be a hard time when we are missing someone. If you would like to remember a loved one this season, you can make a gift in their memory, and we will let their family know."
When to promote tribute gifts
Tribute gifts have a natural rhythm in December.
- Early December: Mention the option in your newsletter and on your donation page, aimed at people who plan their gifts early.
- December 15–23: This is when last-minute shoppers start to worry. Lead with the fact that the note arrives by email right away, so no shipping deadlines apply.
- December 24: A short Christmas Eve email can work well: "Forgot someone? There is still time."
Memorial gifts are different. Do not push them with urgency. A single, gentle mention is enough.
Thank tribute donors twice
Tribute donors are often new to your charity. They gave because of someone else, which makes them easy to lose after Christmas. Thank them twice:
- Right away, with a warm thank-you that mentions the person they honored by name.
- In January, with a short story about what their gift helped make possible this winter.
That second message is what turns a one-time Christmas present into a lasting relationship. Our post on donation acknowledgment letters has templates you can adapt.
Do not forget the person being honored
The person who receives the tribute note has just learned about your work through someone they care about. That is a warm introduction. If they reach out to say thank you, reply personally. Some of your future donors will come from these notes.
If you are planning your whole December, our twelve days of year-end giving checklist covers everything else, from receipts to the last three emails of the year.
Tribute gifts, built in
Donors can dedicate a gift in honor or memory of someone right on your DonorsBase donation form, and DonorsBase sends the note for you.
Book a Discovery Call →Frequently asked questions
What is a tribute gift?
A tribute gift is a donation made in honor or in memory of someone. The donor receives the tax receipt, and the person being honored, or their family, receives a note letting them know about the gift.
Who receives the tax receipt for a tribute gift?
The person who made the donation receives the tax receipt. The honoree receives a note about the gift, not a receipt.
Does the person being honored see the gift amount?
Usually not. Most charities keep the amount private and share only the donor's name and message. In DonorsBase, the notification email keeps the gift amount private.
Is a tribute gift a good last-minute Christmas present?
Yes. The note can be sent by email as soon as the gift is made, so there are no shipping deadlines. That makes tribute gifts a popular choice in the last days before Christmas.