Reverse Advent Calendar 2025

It's Back!

This winter, join us in making a difference with our Reverse Advent Calendar. Each day, instead of receiving a treat, add an item—such as food or essentials—to your box. By the end, you’ll have a collection ready to support DF4TA and our partner food projects.

Last year, thanks to incredible community support, we received over 450 Reverse Advent Calendars. These donations helped us meet the huge demand we faced in December 2024, when together we:

This year’s Reverse Advent Calendar runs from:

• Friday 7th November – Monday 1st December 2025
• All donations to be delivered by: Friday 5th December
• Donation points can be found below

Now in its fourth year, we’re proud to once again partner with Derby County Community Trust and Derby County to make this initiative possible.​​​​​

Together, let’s spread kindness and support across our city this winter.

At DF4TA, we started this tradition a few years ago, and it has gone from strength to strength. Each year, more local businesses, schools, and community groups get involved, turning it into a real city-wide effort.

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What is a Reverse Advent Calendar?

Instead of opening doors to find chocolates or treats, a Reverse Advent Calendar flips the idea on its head. Each day in December, you add an essential item—such as non-perishable food, hygiene products, or household supplies—into your box.

By the time donation day arrives, you’ll have a full collection ready to share with those who need it most. Not only does this provide vital support for our community, but it also becomes a powerful reminder of the generosity and kindness we can show together.

It’s also a brilliant way to bring the spirit of giving into your home. Children can help choose items, decorate the box, and even deliver it once it’s complete. Along the way, families can talk about food poverty and the importance of supporting one another—making this tradition both meaningful and fun.

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How to make a Reverse Advent Calendar

Making your own reverse calendar is incredibly easy:

1. Choose your container – A simple cardboard box works perfectly. You can decorate it if you wish and keep it somewhere visible as a daily reminder.

2. Add one item a day – From Friday 7th November to Monday 1st December, place an item from our core list into your box. You’re also welcome to add hygiene products or a few festive treats. Schools may find it easier to spread the items across classes, so no one family has to provide everything.

3. Deliver your calendar – Once complete, drop off your box at a DF4TA donation point by Friday 5th December. Please check with your chosen venue for their opening times and collection details.

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When to do a Reverse Advent Calendar

 While most advent calendars begin on 1st December, our Reverse Advent Calendar starts earlier, on 7th November, to allow time to collect, sort, and distribute donations so families receive support well before Christmas. This ensures essential food and supplies reach households during one of the most financially challenging times of the year.

Starting in November also helps get everyone into the festive spirit. Children can help decorate the box, families can choose treats alongside essentials, and schools and workplaces can collaborate to fill their calendars. Sharing your progress and contributions inspires others, creating a sense of community and generosity throughout the season.

Your donations make a lasting impact. By Christmas, many families will already have received support, and your kindness will continue to help them through the colder winter months, spreading hope and warmth when it’s needed most.

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What to collect in your Reverse Advent Calendar

We’ve created a unique pack for you to use. Free printable poster with 25 core items which you can print out and pop on your fridge door etc.

Generally, any contributions of brand-new, sealed long-life products are appreciated (just be sure to check the dates).

A typical food parcel contains the following essential items:

Essential Non-Food Items

1. Porridge or Weetabix – breakfast type items

2. Tinned potatoes, instant mash

3. Tinned vegetables – sweetcorn, garden peas or carrots

4. Packet dessert – Dream Topping, Angel delight Custard etc.

5. Tinned hot meat – curry, stew or minced meat or meatballs

6. Biscuits

7. Tinned soup – tomato or vegetable

8. Sugar Free Squash

9. Savoury Crackers

10. Tinned cold meat – corned beef, spam etc

11. Noodles/pot noodles

12. Pasta sauce

13. Tinned tuna

14. Tinned chopped tomatoes

15. Pasta, rice, spaghetti

16. Tea coffee hot chocolate

17. Strawberry Jam, Peanut Butter or Chocolate Spread

18. Rice pudding

19. Curry Sauce – mild or medium only

20. Tinned fruit – any variety

21. Kidney Beans, Lentils or Chick peas 

22. UHT Milk  - whole or semi skimmed

23. A Christmas treat – chocolate coins or selection box

24. Mince pies, Christmas pudding

25. Yule Log/Swiss roll 

In addition to food products, essential non-food items are just as important, helping people in crisis to maintain dignity and keep healthy. Examples include:

• Toiletries, such as toothpaste and brushes, deodorant, shower gel and soap
• Feminine products
• Baby supplies, such as nappies, baby wipes and baby food
• Household products, such as toilet paper, laundry powder and washing up liquid ​​​​​​

What NOT to Include

A few key rules to keep in mind when donating:

• No fresh produce (unless confirmed directly with the DF4TA
• No damaged items.
• Nothing that has been opened, is unsealed or homemade.
• No out-of-date products.
• Avoid items containing alcohol as these are prohibited from distribution.

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Not able to take part?

 You can still support us by making a donation. A completed Reverse Advent Calendar box costs around £30 to put together, depending on the supermarket

• Click the donate button at the top of our page and use reference RAC2025.
• You can make a one-off gift or join our Squid Army with a monthly donation.

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Ready to begin your giving journey?

Download your FREE Reverse Advent Calendar Pack today and help us bring hope and kindness to families this Christmas – in partnership with Derby County Community Trust and Derby County.

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Donation Points

Derby County Community Trust 

Harrison’s Hub
Royal Way
Derby 
DE24 8XL

Donation dates are to be confirmed.

Asda Sinfin

Sinfin Shopping Centre
Arleston Ln
Sinfin
Derby
DE24 3DS

While the store is open there is a Foodbank’s donation point in store.

Derbion Shopping Centre 

London Rd
Derby 
DE1 2PL

We have a donation point outside Sainsbury’s donations can be made while the centre is open. 

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