A gift to your neighbour is a joint Christmas appeal by the Lutheran parishes of Helsinki, Espoo, Kauniainen, and Vantaa. It has been running for more than ten years. Until 2024, the appeal was known as Dress the Christmas tree (Rakenna joulupuu). The appeal is open to anyone who wants to donate a gift or gift card to a neighbour in need and thus bring Christmas joy. In 2023, for example, it provided Christmas cheer to more than 4,000 people in need in the capital region. 

The parishes’ diaconal workers deliver the donations to families and people who live alone. They investigate the financial situation of the people seeking help and take a broader look at their life situations. Your donation will help people in your area and will be delivered in full to those who need it.

The donation is anonymous: the donor and the recipient will not know each other. Church membership is not required to receive or donate a gift.

On this website, you will find information on how to participate in the appeal in each Lutheran parish in Helsinki. Different parishes have different approaches to organizing the collection, so you should be able to find a way to help that suits you best. You can donate to any parish collection; participation is not tied to your parish membership or place of residence. The gift card will be given to someone in need in the parish where you have delivered it.

The collection period is from November 13 to December 7, 2025, so that most of the gift cards can be delivered before Christmas. Gift cards can also be delivered to those in need after Christmas, as people still need help after the holiday season. Every donation counts.