Click on a question to view its answer. Don’t see your question here? Please contact us.
Registration Process
A: Each year, we ask all volunteers — whether you’re joining us for the first time or returning for another season — to complete the registration form. This helps us meet our insurance requirements and keep our records up to date. It also ensures we can organize shifts and assign volunteer roles efficiently, so everyone is placed where they can best help spread the Magic of Christmas!
A: Your name and information will be automatically input into our system.
We thank you for your patience as we organize the hundreds of volunteer forms we receive each year. When we’re ready, our Volunteer Coordinator will reach out to you to confirm your volunteer schedule.
A: GROUP NAME!! Fill out a volunteer registration for EVERYONE in the group, and ensure that you all have the same group name.
A: Check your junk and spam folders. If not there, fill it out again – ensure that you have filled out every aspect, AND that you do not use the back button when you are finished with your form, as this will create an error.
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
A: Our need for volunteers increases in December, especially in the few weeks leading up to Christmas. Please keep checking back the volunteer opportunities page for updates on the support we need: https://www.themagicofchristmas.org/volunteer-opps/.
A: We post them on an as needed basis, so keep checking back.
A: Fill out the volunteer registration, and select the committee you want, if we need help in that area, we will reach out to you.
A: They will be available on the volunteer opportunities page. We post them on an as needed basis, so keep checking back throughout the season.
Corporate/Team Groups
A: Yes! We bring corporate groups and teams into our warehouse. However, we have limited spaces available. Email volunteer@themagicofchristmas.org with your group and how many people, then we can figure out if there is a date available.
Christmas Eve Buses
A: All bus shifts are 6-8 hours long, depending on many factors. Buses leave the warehouse every 30 minutes from 7am-5pm.
A: We have limited spaces available for morning slots on Christmas Eve, and it is our most popular requested shift, a bus shift is not guaranteed, but we are happy to TRY to accommodate any request we can.
A: We provide all elf costumes! We have a fabulous team who has hand makes elf costumes for many years. This is a MoC tradition. We request that you wear black or white, leggings/long johns with a black or white long sleeve shirt. Please refrain from wearing clothes with lots of logos/images.
A: For buses: We aim to send out all bus assignments in the last week of November. All other assignments will be sent out as soon as they are ready, we try our best to have it be 14+ days before your shift.
A: THAT IS OK!!!!!!! We combine other groups to create a full bus.
A: This varies on a case-by-case basis, but normally, 12-16 people is where we try to keep the buses.
A: We have buses leaving the warehouse every 30 minutes from 7am-5pm.
A: Expect bus assignments to be sent out the last week of November.
A: We have over 1000 people request to be on a bus – and around 700 spaces for elves. We just don’t have enough space for everyone.
A: We estimate that shifts are 6-8 hours long. But we cannot guarantee anything – there are so many factors, how many visits are assigned to your bus, weather, distance from warehouse, if you were on time departing the warehouse etc. Therefore, we cannot guarantee when your shift will finish.
A: All elves and Santas are required to wear our costumes as provided. Our elf costumes consist of a single jumper-style outfit, or knickers and a vest. You will need to provide a solid white or black turtleneck, leggings/tights and appropriate shoes to complete your elfish ensemble. Bare legs, printed slogans on shirts, etc. will not be permitted.
A: ALL of Santa’s elves must sing, no matter what they think they sound like. Carol singing is an essential part of The Magic of Christmas. You are expected to sing and know the words to popular songs, including Rudolph, Jingle Bells and Here Comes Santa Claus. Download The Magic of Christmas songbook here.
Hospital/Care Centre Visits
A: This is a case-by-case basis – there are many times we get enough hospital registrants that are only available for hospital visits, therefore, there are many times where you go on one and not both.
A: Our volunteer coordinator will contact you directly by email. Please ensure you have added volunteer@themagicofchristmas.org into your contacts to not miss any emails.
A: Individuals wishing to help out only in the warehouse can sign up through our volunteer registration as a ‘warehouse elf’ – or can watch our volunteer opportunities page for warehouse opportunities https://www.themagicofchristmas.org/volunteer-opps/
