What is Santa's Little Helpers?
Imagine a child waking up on Christmas morning, their heart full of hope but their circumstances clouded with uncertainty. For many children across Southeast Queensland, Christmas isn’t a time of joy but a reminder of their struggles—whether they’ve faced homelessness, domestic violence, or are growing up in foster care.
For the past 8 years, Santa’s Little Helpers has stepped in to change that story. Through the generosity of hundreds of individuals, families, and businesses, we’ve ensured that these children—our community’s most vulnerable—have a Christmas they’ll never forget. Each child, nominated by organizations working on the frontlines, gets to write their own Christmas wish list. And thanks to Santa’s Little Helpers, those wishes come true.
Since 2017, we’ve delivered over half a million dollars’ worth of gifts—$590,000 in total—making sure every child feels seen, valued, and loved on Christmas morning. But the impact goes far beyond the gifts. For a child who has faced hardship, receiving a present they specifically wished for is a moment of pure magic, restoring their belief that good things can happen to them.
This year, as families battle the rising cost of living and housing crises, the need is greater than ever. We are committed to brightening Christmas for 300 children, but we can’t do it alone.
Will you join us? By becoming one of Santa’s Little Helpers, you’ll not only be fulfilling a child’s Christmas wish—you’ll be part of something truly life-changing. The gift you give will bring joy, hope, and a sense of normalcy to a child who needs it most.
Together, let’s make this Christmas one they’ll always remember. Are you ready to make a difference? Sign up today and help us spread the magic of Christmas.
Step 1
Sign up and let us know how many lists you would like to fulfil. Plus you can specify the age and gender you would like to shop. We will allocate your wishlists from Wednesday 6th November.
Step 2
Receive your Wishlist allocations. Shop for and wrap your child's gifts updating us with your progress and photos along the way.
Step 3
Deliver your gifts to Lighthouse. We will email you with delivery instructions closer to delivery date. We will then pass on your gifts to the child.
Don't have time to shop?
We know that time can be a challenge, especially during the busy Christmas season. If you’d love to participate but can’t find the time to shop, you can still make a huge impact! By sponsoring a wishlist with a $200 donation, our team will shop for a child on your behalf, ensuring their Christmas wish comes true.
2023 Highlights
We've Reached our Capacity!
Thanks to our amazing community of Santa’s Little Helpers we have already reached our target of 300 shoppers! If you didn’t get the chance to sign up this year, please enter your details to go on to a waiting list in case any shoppers are unable to fulfil their wishlists. You can also make Christmas special for many families by donating to our Christmas appeal that will provide free food to families doing it tough through our Hampers of Hope initiative.
Join the Santa's Little Helpers Community
FAQ's
Where do the gifts go?
How much time do I have to get this done?
We begin sending out wishlists to our Santa’s Little Helpers shoppers from 1st November, and all gifts must be delivered to Lighthouse between 2nd and 6th December.
We know that time can be a challenge, especially during the busy Christmas season. If you’d love to participate but can’t find the time to shop, you can still make a huge impact! By sponsoring a wishlist with a $200 donation, our team will shop for a child on your behalf, ensuring their Christmas wish comes true.
To sponsor a wishlist, simply click here and help us bring joy to a child this Christmas.
What is a wishlist?
A wishlist is where the magic of Santa’s Little Helpers begins. Each child nominated to receive gifts through this initiative is given the opportunity to create their own personal wishlist. These children, many of whom are facing incredibly tough circumstances, share their first name, age, interests, favourite colour, and specific items they hope for—something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.
The role of our Santa’s Little Helpers is to bring this list to life by fulfilling as many items as possible, with a total value of up to $200. This thoughtful approach ensures that every child receives gifts that are not only fun but also meaningful to them. It’s about more than just presents—it’s about making their Christmas wishes come true.
I don't know what size my child is?
Why is it a $200 budget?
We believe every child deserves to feel truly special, especially at Christmas. The $200 price tag ensures that these children, many of whom have faced unimaginable hardships, experience the joy and excitement of receiving gifts they’ve wished for—a joy that can light up their entire holiday season.
However, we understand that $200 may not be feasible for everyone who wants to be involved. If that’s the case, why not consider teaming up with friends, family, or colleagues to shop for a child together? We love seeing people come together in this way each year, pooling their generosity to make a child’s Christmas dreams come true.
It’s also a wonderful opportunity to teach your own children about the power of giving. By involving them in the process, you’re showing them the importance of kindness and empathy, and that there are children in their own community who go without, not just at Christmas, but every day.
Together, we can make a big impact—and bring even bigger smiles to these deserving children.
For any additional questions or to get in contact please email santa@lighthousecarecare.org.au