The best part of hosting a Macmillan Coffee Morning is making it your own. Here’s how I made my fundraiser ‘a bit more me’…
I recently hosted my second Macmillan Coffee Morning, and decided to use everything I learnt hosting my first fundraiser to make this one a little bit more unique and personalised.
Once I realised that my coffee morning didn’t technically need to be a ‘coffee morning’, I started thinking about all the little details that are important for a Macmillan fundraiser. From setting aside time to discuss all the amazing initiatives the charity undertakes, to personalising the theme of the event, there are many things that make these gatherings something uniquely special.
As long as you’re encouraging people to talk, get together and donate to Macmillan’s worthy cause, your coffee morning will be a roaring success. Here are some of my favourite ways to make Macmillan Coffee Mornings truly unforgettable.
Choose your own theme
After I had so much fun hosting a more traditional coffee morning, I wanted the next one to feel a bit different (and who doesn’t want to host an unforgettable party, let’s be honest).
I decided to lean more into a garden party theme and embrace my love of gardening (and the fleeting good weather we had this summer). I decided to invite some neighbours from my estate as well as a few friends, so I set up a few picnic tables outside and had lots of potted plants and bunting inside to tie everything together.
We had garden-themed cakes and sandwiches, and my friend had the fantastic idea to use plant pots as the donation tins. Having a fun theme was a great starting point for everything else (including leaf-themed invitations!), and everyone commented on how relaxed it felt. Being able to make the event exactly what I was comfortable with meant I could go all out and make it truly memorable.
Put the ‘fun’ into fundraising
Obviously, the main thing about hosting a coffee morning is the actual fundraising for Macmillan. I loved thinking of some creative ways to encourage people to donate, so I set up a few games and challenges. We had a “guess the number of sweets in the plant pot” game, and a vote on the best kind of cake (which I’ve highlighted in our fun infographic!). This was actually a great hack for starting conversations (and friendly arguments) and a nice little boost to donations.
I also made sure to have as much information out as possible about some of the brilliant things Macmillan offers beyond the coffee mornings, such as the free will writing service. Most of us hadn’t heard of it before, so I really felt like I’d been able to do some good for them as well. It’s a lovely reminder that it isn’t just about the funds we raised on the day, but also about sharing all the other work the charity does throughout the year.
Create a welcoming atmosphere
Having hosted and attended a few of these fundraisers now, the main thing I learned is that people remember how an event made them feel just as much as what they saw and ate.
Especially because I was inviting a wider group of people whom I didn’t know very well, I wanted to ensure that the event was welcoming and relaxed, to encourage people to attend. I made sure everyone knew it was a relaxed event where they could drop in, and I also let them know that they could bring a friend if needed.
I spent (an embarrassingly long) time curating the perfect playlist of background music, made sure to think of all the dietary requirements I knew about, and handwrote all the signs for all the food. The most important thing was greeting everyone individually and introducing people who’d come on their own.
Now you know all the ways you can add little details to make your fundraiser memorable. Learn more about Macmillan Coffee Mornings, and get started planning your own!
I’m Holly, a business owner and lifelong lemon-drizzle enthusiast who loves nothing more than a good natter over a cup of coffee. When I’m not writing, chatting, or working, you’ll probably find me helping out at my local church or cuddling my two dogs. Hosting my first Macmillan coffee morning reminded me how powerful small community moments can be and I can’t wait to plan the next one.