Research has revealed a significant boost in one off donations via mobile in the 72 hours before Christmas Day.

Charities are urged to ensure a focus of their festive fundraising plans is to encourage giving via mobile phones in the immediate run up to Christmas Day.

Analysis from giving platform goDonate from the festive period last year shows that December 22-24 were among the five busiest days for one off giving during December and that Christmas Eve was particularly successful for charities in attracting donations via mobile phones.

While across the year, including for most of December, just under three in five one off donations are made on mobile phones, this proportion increased to more than two in three on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day also sees a spike, with more than three in four one off donations made via mobile phones.

GoDonate found that just over half of Christmas Eve one-off payments were made using PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay, compared with just under half throughout December overall.

“For fundraising teams planning Christmas 2026, the message is simple: don't wind down too early,” said goDonate chief executive Vicky Reeves.

“The final days of the campaign must be treated as some of the most important; not the point at which activity is ending.”

She added: “It’s equally crucial to note how important mobile is becoming for online giving.

“Mobile user experience must be as quick and frictionless as possible for donors. The analysis proves that the closer we get to Christmas, the more vital mobile optimisation for campaigns becomes.

“For example, Christmas Eve donors may be travelling, checking email, browsing social media or spending time at home when something prompts them to give, rather than sitting at a desktop specifically planning a donation.”

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