If you want to be a Secret Santa, simply buy a present for a child aged up to 12 and drop it off to the neighbourhood centre by November 30.

The presents will go to children who would otherwise miss out at Christmas.

The centre needs presents for boys and girls aged up to 12 and is particularly short on gifts for boys aged over seven.

The centre’s coordinator, Julie Trowbridge, said a lot of families struggled to even put food on the table at this expensive time of the year, let alone find extra money to buy presents.

“A lot of families struggle to provide what is the normal Christmas that everyone deserves,” she said.

Mrs Trowbridge emphasised the importance of having a guaranteed Christmas present.

“A new toy is just so special,” she said.

The presents should be unwrapped.

Each present should have a maximum value of about $10.

People can drop the presents at the Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre at the corner of Muston and Dodds streets between 8.30am and 3.30pm Monday to Thursday.

Santa will hand out the presents at the centre on December 20.

A community grant from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council will go towards a barbecue and craft activities on the day.