The Tree of Happiness comes to Princess Hotels in Punta Cana and Riviera Maya
Christmas has a unique way of stirring emotions… it illuminates public and private spaces, brings people together, and reminds us of the value of small gestures.
But it also opens the door to something even deeper, the opportunity to share hope.
It is in this spirit that the Tree of Happiness was born, an initiative that forms part of our Princess & You 360 CSR programme with the aim of transforming the magic of Christmas into genuine smiles for children who look forward to this time of year with their hearts full of dreams.
Read on and find out how you too can be part of this magic at our destinations in the Riviera Maya and Punta Cana.
What is the Tree of Happiness?
Every Christmas Princess Hotels in the Caribbean illuminate their hotels in Punta Cana and Riviera Maya with an initiative designed to touch hearts: the Tree of Happiness.
This is a charitable initiative that focusses on children’s welfare, its main purpose being to collect toys for children in underprivileged communities.
By means of this campaign we invite our guests to become part of a chain of generosity.
They are simply asked to bring a new or mint-condition used toy and drop it off in the designated areas in our hotels.
Princess Hotels then collect, store, and deliver them to local state schools, bringing smiles and hope to those who need it most.
However, the idea behind the Tree of Happiness is to be much more than just a deliverer of gifts:
- It promotes recreation as an educational tool that stimulates creativity, imagination, and fundamental values in childhood years.
- It encourages solidarity, tolerance, and equality by encouraging our guests to share and connect with the local community.
- It ensures that children from vulnerable families receive at least one toy, allowing them to experience the magic of Christmas on equal terms.
- It strengthens collaboration with local organisations and schools, thereby reinforcing the bond between the hotel and the community.
- It raises awareness of the importance of access to recreational activities in childhood, reminding us that playing is also growing, learning and dreaming.
Over the years this initiative has become a deeply cherished tradition that unites visitors and our in-house team in a common goal, that of bringing excitement, hope and moments of happiness to those who deserve it most.
The Tree of Happiness in Punta Cana
At our hotels in Punta Cana the Tree of Happiness is celebrated with enthusiasm from early November until January.
Although the campaign gains momentum during the Christmas season, guests are encouraged to bring toys at any time during the year, as our Customer Service departments are always available to receive them. This allows us to collect a larger number of gifts and better plan their delivery.
In addition to the Customer Service area, during the months of November, December, and January, guests will find a special box in the lobby of each hotel where they can leave their donations.
This location allows more visitors to spontaneously join the initiative when they see the Tree of Happiness as part of the Christmas decorations.
Each hotel in Bávaro has a space dedicated to the project; a space that has been adapted to the style of the hotel and decorated with festive elements that invite participation.
Who receives the donations?
Donations from the Tree of Happiness are distributed each year to public schools in the local community, selection being based on the number of toys collected.
At the end of the campaign the Princess Hotels team coordinates directly with school principals to organise a special delivery day.
Although the recipient school is decided once the gifts have been counted, the goal is always the same: to bring smiles and hope to the children who need it most in an effort to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas with them.
Click here to find out about the latest Donation of toys to the Nazaret Educational Centre.
The Tree of Happiness in the Riviera Maya
In the Riviera Maya the Tree of Happiness will be present in two of our hotels:
This year the Tree of Happiness will be one of the highlights of the Christmas season at Grand Sunset Princess.
Located next to our traditional Christmas tree, it will be part of a setting that has been carefully designed to awaken emotion, hope, and that spirit of solidarity that unites us at this time of year.
More than just a decorative element, the tree invites guests to participate in a gesture that transcends their holiday, adding light, hope and joy to Christmas for many children who look forward to this season with enthusiasm and open hearts.
Donations can be made at the concierge desk, located in the Sunset lobby, where our team will gratefully receive each contribution.
At the Platinum Yucatan Princess the Tree of Happiness will also form part of our Christmas ambience, creating a special space that invites guests to reflect on the impact that each traveller can have beyond their stay.
Here the tree will be placed next to our main decoration, reminding us that any gesture, however small, can become an invaluable gift for those who need it most.
Donations will be gratefully received at the Concierge desk located in the Deluxe lobby, where our team will be ready to assist those wishing to take part in this initiative.
The campaign will run until the 7th of January 2026, allowing our guests to participate and share the magic of Christmas throughout the season.
This initiative is especially designed for children aged 5 to 12, although any gift is welcomed as long as it comes from the heart.
Who will receive the donations?
The gifts received in the Riviera Maya will be distributed to local Mayan communities and schools in need, where many families face vulnerable situations.
These communities preserve traditions and cultural richness, but often lack the resources to offer children a Christmas celebration with gifts.
Supporting them is a way of strengthening bonds, promoting solidarity, and bringing moments of joy to the younger members of the community.
At Platinum Yucatan Princess donations will be made to pupils at the Constituyentes de 1974 Primary School.
For Grand Sunset Princess, donations will be delivered through local organisations such as Contando con un Amigo (Counting on a Friend), Aitana, and Kodomo, thereby ensuring that the gifts reach children who really need them, allowing them to experience a little bit of the magic of Christmas.
Year after year, the Tree of Happiness reminds us that the true essence of Christmas lies in sharing. It’s not just about leaving a gift under a tree, but about sowing hope in places where it sometimes appears to be lacking.
Thanks to the solidarity of our guests, partners and friends at Princess Hotels Caribbean, this initiative has grown to become a bridge between our hotels and the communities around us.
To those who participate, we would like to say: your contribution goes far beyond a gift. You are part of a change that inspires, that truly leaves a mark, and that shows that positive impact multiplies when we act together.
Thank you for believing in this project, for sharing your generosity, and for helping us, once again, to bring a little hope and happiness to those who need it most.
Together we make what truly matters possible.
Categories: Caribbean, Hotels, Princess & You 360, Princess 360, Punta Cana, Riviera Maya
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