Join the world's coolest Secret Santa for pre-loved toys
On 1 November, The Good Christmas Tree opens. Children can post their own Christmas wishes, and others can grant them with a pre-loved toy they already have at home. The tree is open to everyone, and it says something we think matters: it is perfectly fine to give pre-loved toys for Christmas.
Camilla Næristorp
- Founder, Loopyty
- 5 min read
With help from AI tools
What I remember best from Advent as a child is the excitement. The excitement of wishing for something, the excitement of daydreaming, making wish lists, and of tearing off the paper – and most of all when there was a present from someone I hadn't expected anything from. That was special. That is the feeling I hope The Good Christmas Tree can create. Here, anyone anywhere in Norway can wish for something, and get it from anyone anywhere in Norway. The only difference is that the toys have already been on an adventure. Do you think it will be fun?
Many parents tell us the same thing: they would happily give pre-loved toys, just not as presents. It feels awkward to wrap something from your own toy cupboard, and it is hard to find something pre-loved that suits that particular child. So it ends up being a new toy after all.
How does The Good Christmas Tree work?
Think of it as a Secret Santa between people who don't know each other.
- You post a wish for your child, up to three for each child. The tree shows only the wish, and a photo of the toy if you add one. No names.
- Someone finds the wish and taps “I have this”. They use a toy they have listed, or take two photos of a new one.
- They pay the shipping, and only then do they learn the child's first name, for the gift tag. Helthjem tells them how to send the parcel.
- The child gets a gift from someone who chose them.
Have a toy you'd like to give away, without a particular wish in mind? Put it on the tree as a gift, so a family can choose it.
Children can take part on both sides: wish for something themselves, and choose a toy to give away, together with you. Wishes that are granted are marked “Granted” on the tree, so you can follow along until Christmas.
Why pre-loved toys for Christmas?
Children aren't that bothered whether a toy is pre-loved or not. It is more often us grown-ups who hesitate. We wrote more about that in “Pre-loved gifts: it's not the children who mind”.
We don't think people are against giving pre-loved. It just doesn't feel quite allowed. A child who wishes for a fire engine is just as happy with one that has been on an adventure before.
And now is a good time to tidy up. Toys the children have outgrown can move on before new ones arrive.
Giving something you have at home to a stranger may well be easier than giving it to someone you know. That is the whole point.
Giving away a toy you have loved
Many parents want to teach their children that giving can feel good. On the tree, it becomes real: the child chooses a toy they have loved and gives it to a child they don't know. And the child who gets the parcel knows that someone chose that very wish.
Who can post wishes?
Everyone. We want to show that children are happy to wish for pre-loved toys, not only children in families who need a little extra. You need an account and an address the gift can be sent to.
What does it cost?
You give the toy yourself. The giver pays the shipping with Helthjem: 85 or 115 kr, depending on the size of the parcel. Loopyty takes no fee on the gift.
Key dates
- 1 November: The tree opens.
- 15 December: If the wish is granted by then, the gift has time to arrive before Christmas Eve.
- 23 December: The last day. You can give right up to then, but the gift will arrive after Christmas.
How to join
Does your child have a wish? Post it on The Good Christmas Tree, and see whether you can find a wish to grant together.
And share the tree! The more people who know about it, the more wishes can be granted. In the media centre you'll find ready-made posts for Instagram and Facebook, captions and newsletters you can use.
Sources
- The Loopyty blog: “Pre-loved gifts: it's not the children who mind” (2026).
Questions and answers
What does the giver learn about the child?
The tree shows only the wish, and a photo of the toy if there is one. Whoever grants the wish learns the child's first name once the shipping is paid, so they can write a gift tag. They never see the address: Helthjem makes the parcel label after collecting the parcel. The person who receives the gift sees the sender's name and address on the parcel label.
Is this charity or marketing for Loopyty?
Loopyty is a company, and we don't hide that. The Good Christmas Tree is our way of showing what pre-loved toys can be. Loopyty takes no fee on the gifts: the giver pays only the shipping.
What if the toy is broken or doesn't fit?
A gift must be Never played, Flawless or Pre-loved, and we ask everyone to give something they would be glad to receive themselves. Once the gift has arrived, you can review it, just as after a purchase. If something is wrong, write to support@loopyty.com.
What happens to children whose wish isn't granted?
Sadly, we can't promise every wish will be granted.