ChristmasSweatersjumpers worth a jingle

Guide

Christmas Jumper Day, explained

Wear a festive jumper, make a donation, help children: the simplest fundraiser of the year.

What is Christmas Jumper Day?

Christmas Jumper Day is an annual fundraising day run by the charity Save the Children in the UK. The idea is wonderfully simple: on the day, people wear a Christmas jumper to school, work or wherever they are, and make a donation to the charity. It started in 2012 and has become one of the fixtures of the British December calendar.

It usually takes place on a weekday in December, but the exact date changes each year, so check the official Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day page for this year's date, fundraising packs and ideas.

We're an independent site and not connected to Save the Children. For official information, suggested donations and resources for schools and workplaces, always go to the charity's own website.

How people take part

  • Schools often run a non-uniform style day where pupils wear a festive jumper and bring a small donation.
  • Workplaces turn it into a team event: jumper photos, a best-jumper vote, a bake sale or a festive quiz, with donations collected on the day.
  • Friends and families join in from home, online or at a get-together, and donate individually.

A greener jumper day

You don't need a brand-new jumper to take part. Lots of schools and offices now encourage people to re-wear last year's, borrow one, swap with a friend, or decorate an ordinary jumper with tinsel, felt shapes and pompoms. It is kinder to the planet and often funnier too. If you do buy a new one, choose something you will happily wear again next year.

Ideas to make it memorable

  • Hold a jumper parade and let everyone vote for categories like “best pun”, “most lights” and “best homemade”.
  • Set up a decorate-your-jumper table with safety pins, tinsel and felt.
  • Organise a jumper swap a week before so nobody has to buy new.
  • Take a group photo for the school newsletter or company intranet.

Planning a bigger do? Our Christmas jumper party ideas are full of games and activities, and the size guide will help if you're ordering online in time for the day.

Picking something for the office? Classic and cosy jumpers and funny ones are safe bets. Save our cheeky section for the pub.