It's the most wonderful time of the year, and a very busy one for charities. Here is how your charity can get more involved with  supporters at Christmas.

1. Small gifts

No matter how generous someone is feeling they can’t give what they don’t have. This might be a good time to roll out a program that makes the most of people’s willingness to give but doesn’t expect too much.

2. Icy relations?

A charity might be seen as a wall between the donor and the beneficiary at a time when people feel heightened empathy. Try to break down those barriers by becoming a seamless intermediary and showing them who their donations will help and how.

3. Give a little

Even those that can’t afford to give time or money now will be thinking about the causes they care about at this time of year. Speak to them without expecting anything back straight away, build a relationship and see if they can take other kinds of action in the meantime.

4. No jingling

Street collections will probably receive greater tolerance during the festive period but don’t become complacent, it is just as important to abide by laws and codes of practice.

5. Snow your donors 

Conduct some research into what causes share your supporter base. Do most people who give to children’s charities, also give to animal charities? If they do and you work in either of those causal areas, you may just have uncovered some new supporters.

Do donors really feel more charitable at Christmas?