Disney Consumer Products Shares Holiday Magic with Families in Need Nationwide

This holiday season, The Walt Disney Company is inspiring fans and families everywhere to “Make Someone’s Holiday Magic,” complete with a Disney Holiday Magic Tour that includes Stitch going on a mission to get off Santa’s naughty list by helping deliver toys and smiles around the world. You can follow along on his global journey at Disney.com/HolidayMagic. 

As part of that effort, Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is spreading holiday cheer across all 50 states, combining the magic of Disney with the power of giving. Through immersive experiences and meaningful donations — in collaboration with leading nonprofits and supported by top toy companies, licensees and retailers — DCP is creating moments of joy that make the season brighter for children and families nationwide.

These efforts build on Disney’s rich legacy of supporting communities that could use some extra holiday cheer.

“We create happiness every day at Disney Consumer Products, and our purpose becomes even more meaningful during the holidays when we focus on the families who need it most,” said Paul Gitter, EVP, Global Brand Commercialization, Disney Consumer Products. “This year, we are honored to bring Disney holiday magic to communities across the country, giving parents the ability to choose gifts for their children and create lifelong memories.”

On Dec. 6, Disney unleashed holiday magic in Detroit — one of America’s cities most affected by child poverty — by inviting more than 120 local families to an immersive, first-of-its-kind event. Disney collaborated with the Marine Toys for Tots program to identify families in need, and Detroit-area Marines served as volunteers throughout the event. 

“It’s just a godsend that this gets put on for families like us, that are struggling. We’ve had a wonderful time here. The smiles on [the kids’] faces made my day,” said Michael Dunigan, a local parent who attended the event. “Without you guys, there would be a lot of families without Christmas.”

DCP leveraged its strength as the world’s largest licensor to bring together top brands and maximize impact, transforming the event into an unforgettable experience. 

Parents “shopped” for the gifts their children most wanted, choosing from toys like Pixar, Disney’s Frozen and Disney Princess-inspired offerings from Mattel, Disney Squishmallows from Jazwares, top toys from Disney Store and more.  

Additional toys and products were provided to families at no cost by Hasbro, JAKKS Pacific, Just Play, Ravensburger, BRIO and more — plus festive Disney-themed pajamas from Old Navy and books from Disney Publishing and Random House Children’s Books.

Families enjoyed experiences including: 

The event was also supported by The District Detroit and Enhance A Colour. 

Stitch kicked off the celebration in Detroit as part of the Disney Holiday Magic Tour and his mission to get off Santa’s “naughty list” by helping deliver toys and smiles around the world. 

Before heading to the next stop on his adventure, the mischievous-yet-lovable blue alien enjoyed special meet-and-greets with families, celebrating the joy of giving and the powerful connection that countless people share with Disney during this special time of year.

The festive event in Detroit continues Disney’s nearly 80-year association with Toys for Tots, adding to the millions of toys already donated to children in need through the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive. The collaboration began in 1948, when Walt Disney and his studio artists created designs that would help drive awareness of the campaign. They would even design the original Toys for Tots train logo that is still used today.

“Each holiday season, Disney plays a pivotal role in bringing joy into the lives of American families, collecting and donating toys that serve as tangible signs of hope. This event is a wonderful evolution of our longstanding relationship, showcasing how together we’ve grown our impact year after year. By combining Disney’s creativity with our mission, we’re able to bring joy to countless children — making this season truly magical for those who need it most,” said Gunnar Spafford, Retired Maj, U.S. Marine Corp, Deputy Vice President, Business Development, Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

Fans can join the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive by donating a toy now through Dec. 24 at DisneyStore.com/ToyDrive, or in person at Disney Stores, the Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort now through Dec. 14, 2025.   

As part of its nationwide efforts, DCP also collaborated with Good360 to gift more than 100 families in need — across all 50 states and Washington D.C. — with Disney Store shopping sprees. Through surprise deliveries featuring Disney Store holiday products and gift cards, parents had the unique opportunity to select new toys for their children, creating unforgettable moments.

Two of these families came to Disney Store Times Square for a magical shopping spree experience.

“This is something very beautiful. I’m usually the one giving, so for this to happen to me, this really means a lot,” said Migdalia Del Moral, a mother of four and recipient of a surprise shopping spree at Disney Store Times Square. “When do you get to go to a store and let your kids pick out whatever they want? As long as they’re happy, I’m happy. And they look really happy right now.”

For Jewel Martindale the shopping spree was a chance to create joyful memories with her children. She shared that one highlight was a heartfelt moment with her son, a huge Spider-Man fan who is nonverbal and on the autism spectrum.

“The first thing he chose was Spider-Man. That was really sentimental to me, because even though he cannot talk, he can identify, and he knows what he wants,” she reflected.

Disney Consumer Products is proud to help brighten the holidays for families in need and inspire people everywhere to make someone’s holiday magic.