Silent Auction donation item suggestions?

[rszdtrvl]

My son made the cheer squad! He is the official cheer mascot for the 2013-2014 season!


There is going to be a baked goods live auction and each child needs to donate an item for the silent auction.

Any suggestion son a silent auction item under $50 that would go good? I am considering a suitcase or something travel related at the moment. But am open to suggestions of items that have a tendency to get high bids.

A couple of years ago in junior high I made a makeup basket full of ELF makeup that went really high ($60 - reteil value of the makeup was $30), but since this is a high school crowd, I am not going to do a cheap makeup basket, LOL.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[Maddie2]

Question - if it is a baked good live auction - are you supposed to give a baked good to be auctioned? We've done that here and Lemon Meringue pie always goes over best.

If it doesn't need to be a baked item, then how about a basket of everything chocolate? I've done this a few times and each time it has gone over VERY well. I've done the mainstream M&Ms, Hershey's, Oreos, etc, as well as foreign chocolates, etc. Big Lots is a great place to find chocolate from around the world for decent prices - bars, candies, cookies. For some reason, people assume they are expensive chocolates and they aren't - they are just different.

Other chocolate ideas - hot chocolate, mini chocolate-covered marshmallows (@ Target, next to regular mini marshmallows), chocolate chips, kisses, Yoo-hoo chocolate drink, something WHITE chocolate, etc.

Chocolate is easy to find and most people like/love it. This increases your range of bidders.

Congratulations to your son!!!

 

[rszdtrvl]

Yes, we will need to donate 2 baked goods for the live auction.

I am probably going to make the Disney Tigger Tails, but do them in the school colors and call them "Bobcat Tails". And do the Disney Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins too.

Last year a pumpkin roll went for $80, so I would love to do something pumpkin themed this year. And the muffins are soooo yummy!

The chocolate basket for the silent auction is a great idea! I can see a lot of people getting excited over something like that. Thanks!

 

[rszdtrvl]

And thanks for the congratulations!

I think it kind of threw everyone off when a guy actually auditioned for cheerleading. But I am glad that they found a spot for him that he can shine in (he is a born entertainer) while still cheering. Just while entertaining the crowd and joining the cheerleaders for a few cheers per game!

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

What is a Tigger Tail? Do you mind explaining it or posting the recipe?

thanks!

 

[rszdtrvl]

Now instead of the orange candy melts they use colored sugar at Disneyland, but I still make them with the candy melts.

Here is a link to the recipe :

http://dipitinchocolate.blogspot.com/2011/08/tigger-tails.html

I am going to do them with yellow instead of orange, and for the stripes do them blue! They should be a big hit!!

 

[Mama Who]

A chocolate or chocolate/coffee basket has done well in auctions I've run. One of my go tos is that I live near the Ghiradelli chocolate outlet.

I assume (your talented and wonderful son aside) that most of the squad is female? Maybe a nice make up case or an fancy compact? Something that will appeal to the girly types but be a little more adult? A nice make up case with maybe face glitter or nail polish in team colors as "fluff" to fill it out a little might do nicely.

 

[torinsmom]

Once when our school did a silent auction, I went to businesses close to our local college(UNC) and asked for tax deductible donations. I made a big basket and it went for quite a bit of money.

 

[MomToOne]

The items that always got the highest (and downright ridiculous) bids at DDs old school were pottery items from one of those "paint your own pottery" places, where all the kids contributed to painting the item. Something like they each paint a flower on a big bowl, etc. The staff from the place would help "guide" the painting and add touches as needed to make it look really nice. The parents would go NUTS bidding so they would have the "memory". Now I admit, that was with elementary school age kids, but something like that might still work with older kids....

 

[SYDCOLEMOM]

My daughters school just had a silent auction. It was very successful (they raised over $40,000 with over 400 items up for bid). My daughters class put together and donated a "Fitness Bag" it was a draw string gym bag that contained hand weights, jump rope,work out DVD, yoga mat, water bottle and a few other small items. It went over well and sold for more than we anticipated. It was inexpensive to make. TJMAX / Marshalls and Target always have fitness items on clearance.

 

[khaoskat]

Not sure about where you live, but a family four pack (or even 2 pack) of tickets to a local Minor League baseball team go over great here..(we have the highest sell out game streak going on right now and every game we keep topping the record.....so Minor League baseball is a huge hit here.

 

[pocomom]

I normally try and get some donations and make a package like dinner and a movie. Once I got the dinner, movie tickets and ice cream place all to donate, and I just purchased some popcorn and movie theater candy to fill the basket. cost to me was under ten and it sold for over $50.

 

[Emteach]

These are all such fantastic ideas, I might steal some for our future fundraisers as well lol.

That's so awesome that your son got on the cheer team and great that it is something he really loves. My brother does competitive dance with about 60 girls and loves it.

My thought is a movie in basket. Maybe have a cheer related movie or any popular movie. Then a bunch of snack foods; popcorn, seasonings, m&ms, if the movie has a soundtrack, slipper socks, a couple of cans of pop - all in a big popcorn bowl/ container

 

[rocknroll]

I don't know if you can get a movie theatre with a digital projector to donate two hours prior to their regular showings, but XBox on the big screen and surround sound make for great teen birthday parties. Retail here in Calgary is $190 and the times sell out when they are available.

 

[burnurcomputer]

How about a sporting goods store gift card, a water bottle and a gender neutral sports bag, and then add some energy bars and Gatorade? its for cheering so it sticks with the sports theme and could appeal to both genders

 

[rszdtrvl]

Thanks for the ideas! I have a month until the auction, so keep them coming! Please!!

 

[damiel]

My son plays high school sports and has played on select teams for years. We have done more than our share of auctions. I have a list of local businesses that always donate. I suggest you write a letter explaing the auction, what the money will be used for and how many people will attend. See if you can get it on school letterhead . Now send it along with a self addresses STAMPED envelope for the business to send you the donation. Send the letter to any local business you think might donate. I get ideas and addresses from the brochure racks that are often at hotels. I have ski resorts, theme parks, science centers, museums, hotels, restaurants, tour companies, minor leauge baseball teams, skating rinks and local community theaters all on my list. It is super easy and I get many donations. After I get the donation of tickets or admissions I build a basket around it. A hotel, restaurant and theater tickets make a great package.

 

[jgreco]

Some ideas from last auction I went to:

Italian Basket- GC from local Italian restaurant, gourmet sauce, fancy shaped pasta.

A week stay at a vacation property (usually a cabin or a ski lodge). Someone with either a timeshare or something would donate this.

Packages of pilates, yoga, spin classes. Pack of 10. Studios usually LOVE to give these out. Pack of 10 gets a new client hooked.

The man cooler - Ice chest full of beer, Doritos, home depot & Best Buy gift cards. (This one was cool since so many catered to the ladies). Had other goodies in it too (Get the school to donate T-shirt, foam fingers for the school's team)- Ours went for over $1000!

"Experiences"- Is there a local former MLB pitcher, golfer or talented musician that can give a lesson?

Are there any cool teachers that have a special talent? Cooking, fishing? This can be an experience that either a kid or parent can do. My son is small, but one of the items was a trip to the movies and ice cream with his teacher.

 

[damiel]

Two things that always bring in BIG $ at our auctions:
A ride along with a police officer and a box of donughts. (My DH is a local police officer and he gets permission from the Chief to allow a guest to ride along on a Friday night)
A birthday party at the Fire Department. If you know a fire fighter ask them to allow a kids party at the station. They give a tour. Get a bakery to donate a cake, throw in some invites and cute fireman plates. This always brings in really BIG $.

 

[rszdtrvl]

I like the Man Cooler idea too!