Meal Deal
Treat yourself to a night off from dinner prep and your family to an exciting new meal.
With all the great cooks around, why not ask a few of them to band together and offer a meal a week for a month? If four families get together, each can put together one meal for the month. The meals could be based on a theme - such as Around the World in 8 Weeks - offering 8 weeks of meals from different countries (Mexican one week, Chinese the next...). Another fun theme is a "color," having the whole meal be orange one week, red the next... Pre-school and kindergarten kids really love these simple themes and they can be a lot of fun to think up!
Here's how it works:
1. The winning bidder and donors coordinate to decide on what nights their meals will be delivered. (For example, every Tuesday in May by 5pm.) The Winner will also want to let the Donors know of any allergies or food dislikes.
2. On the appointed day, the bidder sets out a cooler on their porch and arrives home in the evening to find a tasty meal, complete with dessert, all ready and waiting. (When I have made these meals, make double - one half for my brood and one half to be delivered.)
3. It is easiest if all the items are in throw-away containers or ones that do not need to be returned. You can even spice it up by including an inexpensive pan or serving tray as part of the delivery. This can make the evening even more festive if the servingware are themed with the food. A fun new item for the Bidder to receive, and, as the donor, you will not need to worry about having your platter... returned.
A Private Collection
Does anyone in your community have a special collection? Perhaps a collection of memorabilia from a favorite sports team or movie? Or maybe a collection of one of a kind pedal cars?
Why not ask them to donate a "tour" as an auction item. Since any collector will be a wealth of knowledge on the items that they have collected, in addition to seeing the collection, the buyer of the tour will be treated to special insider facts which will make their visit a special outing.
Buy a Balloon
A fun activity for any function, is Buy a Balloon. Make strips of paper that read You’re a Winner. For every You’re a Winner paper, create 9 strips that say, Sorry, Better Luck Next Time. Slip one paper into each balloon before you blow it up.
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WhatsApp will allow you to message any of your contacts that also has the app. By using WhatsApp, I avoided my per text charges that I would have been assessed. We even conducted an experiment and found that messages sent with What’s App came through faster than did those that were texted - as long as both parties had wifi available.
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Sell each balloon for $5 or five for $20. When a balloon is purchased, your attendees will know instantly if they’ve won.
You can choose the prizes for the winner, whether it is different amounts of money or to be selected from a prize table, your attendees will enjoy the fun game, and you will love the proceeds.
To really make a hit, fill the balloons with helium and have volunteers circulate, each carrying a bouquet of balloons.
Guided Hike
Who doesn't love to find new places to hike and explore? Have a hiker in your mist donate to lead a guided hike in their favorite local spot.
Perhaps your guide is a botanist. Or maybe they are a history buff. Or maybe they just know the area well and have some great hikes "off the beaten path." Whether it is an item for a family of 6, or set price item that can be purchased by multiple couples with a picnic lunch included, a guided afternoon outdoors is sure to attract bidders!
Create A Bid Wall
Instead of cluttering up your silent auction tables with gift certificates and service donations, create a "Gift Certificate Wall." Tape columns of 8.5" x 4" item descriptions on a wall.
The top portion of a bid sheet generated wth Pearl Bids Silent Auction Manager makes this easy. Many bidders can easily see what is available, and the display stays neat and orderly throughout the evening, so no one misses that perfect item.
While you might want to use the whole bid sheet for the display. We have found that it also works great to have a binder with the bid sheets on a table next to the wall, making it easier for people to write down their bids.
VIP Seats
Who doesn't want front row seats to watch their child in the school concert, performance, or graduation? Parents would love to know the their VIP seats are reserved and there is no need to arrive super early. These VIP seats make a super auction item!
Set aside a couple of sets of VIP seats for each event and see how popular they are. You can even add little extras, such as signed programs or a special "intermission treat" to boost the popularity of this one of a kind item!
You'll be surprised how excited people will be to make these special events even more priceless.
From Trip to Spectacular Excursion
You've got that big ticket vacation. (See the Pearl Bids Blog on Adding a Dream Vacation for tips.) Use a touch of TLC and transform this already super trip into a spectacular package.
First, draw your attendees to bid by adding visuals to your display. Use colorful posters of the vacation area, a basket of goodies to take home now, or a visual presentation. If the trip is to a ski condo, add a basket of "after ski goodies." Or put together a Disney themed basket to go with the trip to Disney World. The more attractive and eye-catching your presentation, the greater the draw.
Next, transform your package into something truly amazing. Add value with little extra touches. For a trip to Cape Cod, contact a local restaurant to donate a dinner for two. Why not have the trip begin with a welcome bouquet from a local florist? See if a local bike company will throw in bike rental into your package.
These little extras will enhance the package and help draw more bidders to your table. These big ticket items often make great live auction items as well, but these little extras will get your guests excited before the bidding begins and could just be what's needed to take your item to that next level.
50-50 Raffle
For a 50-50 raffle, half the proceeds go to your school (or other charity) and half go to the raffle winner. Have volunteers circulate the room carrying baskets with balloons tied to them. Sell your raffle tickets individually or at a special discount
for an "arm's length" worth of tickets. Get some of your tallest volunteers to handle this to add a bit of fun. Not only will you bring in some extra funds, but the volunteers are in a great position to help promote your auction items as they sell their tickets. Best of all, you don't have to use any of your valuable auction donations for this fun raffle!
Your Very Own Parking Space
Do you have a separate parking lot for staff & teachers? See if there is an extra space available. Auction off a parking space for the year. You can even purchase a sign saying "Reserved for the Smith family."
Or check with your local sign maker as they might like to donate the sign. Your parents will love the idea of not having to wait in a line to drop off and pick up their children.
Party Helpers
Older kids love to attend parties. Why not get a group of kids to volunteer their time as "party help." Depending on their age, the kids can do anything from help with preparations, serve at a party, or help with clean up. They can be used to help at a special family dinner or that grand annual party. Who knows - this might hired to help again. Have many kids that like the idea, no problem; Pearl Bids supports multiple winners on the same bid sheet with no additional entries.