Church giving trees are helping congregations across North America turn Christmas traditions into practical acts of compassion. Through World Renew’s annual Gift Catalogue, churches are inviting members to support families and communities around the world with gifts that help people overcome poverty, disaster, and injustice.
During this time of year, families often pull their artificial Christmas trees out of storage or visit a tree farm to choose a fresh tree. These trees are decorated with lights and ornaments as part of the celebration of Christ’s birth. In many churches, however, Christmas trees are being decorated in a different and life-changing way.
As part of World Renew’s annual Christmas Gift Catalogue campaign, churches are setting up church giving trees in lobbies, narthexes, and fellowship halls. Instead of traditional ornaments, the trees are decorated with symbols representing gifts from the catalogue, including goats, chickens, bicycles, and seeds.
Church members can choose an ornament from the tree and make a donation through World Renew to help families in need around the world.
How Giving Trees Inspire Generosity
Carol Ackerman, a member of First Christian Reformed Church in Denver, Colorado, says that displaying a giving tree in their church inspired people to take action.
Their tree was set up before the church’s December 10 service.
“After the service there were about 10 items left,” she said.
Similarly, Christ Community Church in Nanaimo, British Columbia, set up a giving tree during the Advent season. The display encouraged people to reflect on their blessings and celebrate God’s gift of love by sharing with others.
“This is the first time we have set up a giving tree and a gift tag bulletin board,” said church member Lauris Fuller. “The response was very touching. Even though the congregants have had the Catalogues for a month, the tree and announcement brought out renewed interest and the gift tags were quickly disappearing.”
Using the Gift Catalogue in Your Church
A church giving tree offers a simple and meaningful way for congregations to participate in charitable Christmas giving. By connecting donors directly with gifts that create lasting change, churches can engage members of all ages in supporting vulnerable families around the world.
World Renew provides resources and gift options through its Gift Catalogue, making it easy for churches to organize a giving tree display during Advent, Christmas, or Epiphany. Families can also use the catalogue during holiday gatherings and celebrations to give meaningful gifts that reflect God’s love for neighbours near and far.
Explore our church Giving Tree fundraising kit today to get started.
Sharing Hope Through Church Giving Trees
World Renew continues to be encouraged by the churches and supporters who choose gifts from the catalogue each Christmas season.
“We are so touched and humbled by all of the people who use our gift catalogue to pray for and support families and communities around the world,” said World Renew Director, Ida Kaastra Mutoigo. “We hope that everyone who shares their gift from the Catalogue is as blessed this Christmas season as those who ultimately receive and use the gift to overcome poverty, injustice or disaster.”
Through church giving trees, congregations can transform a familiar Christmas tradition into an opportunity to share hope, strengthen communities, and help families build a brighter future.
Every church has unique gifts to offer. To learn more about how your congregation can deepen its engagement with World Renew through giving, learning, volunteering, and advocacy, visit our Church page and explore opportunities to join God’s work in communities around the world.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in December 2014 and has been updated for clarity, readability, and relevance.
