donating Christmas presents

You might see if there are local organizations that would like donations - if you have a community newspaper, for example, they might have some ideas. Area churches and other charitable organizations may also have some information. Around here, the Christmas Bureau and Santas Anonymous are two organizations, but I don't know if they would be in your area.

I’ve taken them to the Salvation Army before but there citadel is easy to access.
Tesco usually have a bin, as someone has already mentioned.
They also make it easy to donate food.

So sad that some people are despicable.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I'll choose one of them and sort it out.
Callistemon What horrible, callous scum.

The school I taught in often received gifts of new children's clothes, especially at Christmas.
They were discretely given to the children who were in dire need.

Ps most of the gifts were stolen, some eg books, were left behind, presumably the thieves were illiterate as well as despicable.

In the past our local Tesco has had a 'Wishing Tree', at least that's what I think it was called, and this is how I believe it worked.
There were labels hung on the tree, and customers could take a card and make a gift to that child.
This may be a way for you to gift these things, if they are brand new and still wrapped.

Yes, the Women's Refuge may be glad of donations, sometimes women flee with their children and have nothing.

Other charities collect gifts for local underprivileged children, or ask at your local Food Bank or church who may have contacts.

It's lovely reading about Gransnetters wanting to give to others in need.

On our news the other night there were two instances of despicable break-ins:

Someone broke into a store where a charity had piles of wrapped Christmas presents ready for Father Christmas to give to local children. The charity had been collecting gifts all year.

Not far away someone broke into a Food Bank and stole their whole supply of toilet rolls, coffee and many other items.

Last year I donated to the local domestic abuse refuge (and think I 'll do the same again). What they wanted was small gifts for the children to give to their mums.
I agree that selling items in a charity shop isn't the same as giving (in)directly to child but would agree that a chat with SA or (your local social work dept) would help you to get those items where you want them to go.

Our local Morrisons has a container to donate new toys.
Local radio often have a similar scheme.
I don't know anything for clothes.

Our local Salvation Army work with vunerable local families and organise Christmas presents of donated new toys and clothes + Christmas food hampers. They also operate the local Food Bank. I would check with your own Salvation Army charity shop for advice.