Auctions are fun – at least, they should be fun. Buying stuff can be fun as well (there’s a reason we have more of it than we need, after all). But at some point, most of us reach this conclusion: I don’t need more stuff!
Many auction goers would rather have a great experience and a treasured memory than another “thing” to carry home at the end of the night. This increasingly common mindset lends itself to community building and unique offerings in both the Live and Silent portions of your Auction event.
For example, the most popular Live Auction “items” are actually experiences. Bidders go nuts for real life opportunities like lunch with a notable person, vacations, a “ride along” in a fire truck, or a chance to be “Principal-for-a-day.” It’s hard to put a dollar value on experiences, but if properly promoted they fetch a handsome price during your school auction event.
Likewise, the Silent Auction provides another great opportunity to include fun and unique experiences as Sign-up Parties.
Signup parties have become increasingly popular because they are easy to procure, bring groups together in a fun and festive way, and create pure profit for your school or organization. Here are a few popular Signup Party ideas:
1) Murder Mystery Party -Dinner and beverages will be served for 10 adults along with a murderous plot. Find out who killed who where. Maybe it is you! Character invitations will be mailed before event.
2) Cocktail Mixer - Learn how to make five different cocktails from a former professional bartender and have a kid-free night out. Each person brings a bottle of liquor. Snacks provided. Sampling optional!
3) Kid Fun and Parent’s Night Out - Bring your kids for an evening of pizza, games, a movie and kid fun. The host family live 2 blocks from the local playground. Drop the kids and go have fun with your spouse!
Thanks to our friends at Rieke Elementary for sharing theirlist of unique Signup parties - Rieke auction volunteers do an exceptional job putting these together. Take a look and get inspired!
Watch our Facebook page for more great ideas. And please, take a moment to share your Signup Party ideas with us!
Until next time,
Delila and the SchoolAuction.net team
