Lady finger what company did you use? Thanks

We are in the same boat! We used a company this past year and have used them in the past. I'm not so sure I like their quality on all their items (the jewlry in particular is rather shoddy at best!) I am tempted to go with another company (ladyfinger, who did you use?) but I think most of them purchase their items through the same company, so it's basically the same stuff all around.

I'm thinking next year, I want to supplement our sale a bit more with items we pre-purchase, but still offer the "holiday shop" items from a company too. I'm a HUGE bargain shopper and have no problem hunting down some items I feel we can use. If you have a Scholastic warehouse anywhere near you, watch for their clearance sales. All those pens/pads/erasers are at the sales for at least half the price of what they are during the normal book fair! Not to mention the books at bargain prices too!

If you have Dollar Tree stores near you, they may let you order items from them directly. Everything will cost you $1.00, but some of the items are worth up to $5.00. If you don't want to charge more than a couple of dollars, searching for clearance items even at larger stores like Walmart and Target are good places to try. Also, this past year, we shopped after Christmas and got really good deals for the next year. We are prepared for a great fundraiser, hopefully, this Christmas. Good Luck.

beignets;131953 wrote: we go a local crafts store (this yr, Michaelss) buy about $1000 worth of craft kits/supplies, and on holiday craft day (a saturday) sell individaul crafts that the kids make on the spot, each craft we charge about a dollar more than the cost, or $1.50 - $3.50 each so we end up making about $2000 profit, but the goal is making a craft for the parent/family members, not making money. any exta supplies, we save for the following yr.

What type of crafts did you do? We're thinking of doing a craft day this year, but we were afraid that the items wouldn't have time to dry, etc.

I used to do a shop on my own, big no no! First of all you have to have the money up front to lay out and the pta help to do all the shopping. Everyone says they will help, but then later everyone is to busy, doing all other pta duties. Also, most things bought in the dollar store and outlets are either damaged, or the ceramic was not boxed and chipped. When we were running out, the stores were bare and all junk was left. Then you are running the sale and trying to save things for other grades, because you do not want to run out (by doing this we were losing money) also, try running out in the middle of your sale to get new things, talk about having a break down!!!! I could not find any items the actually said mom, dad, grandpa etc.
After this disaster, I tried using a holiday gift shop company. I will say it was the best decision I ever made. We did not have to pay for anything up front, they shipped it all to me for free and they took back whatever we did not sell, even the damaged items!!! All on consignment! Most of their gifts were personalized which was we were looking for. We wanted the kids to make happy memories with the family members they picked their own gift out for. We did not use this for a fundraiser, every other thing we do all year is to make money, not this, we use this time just to enjoy the kids and have fun! The quality of the gifts, were great (really gift type items someone could use) not from the dollar store, where everything is pretty much junk and not really worth gift giving. If you take the extra step, add a santa and take pictures, give out candy canes, show a holiday movie while the kids are shopping, everyone (kids and parents will enjoy the time with each other)! The shop I use is very reasonable and their customer service is great. If you would like to know who they are just ask:)

we go a local crafts store (this yr, Michaelss) buy about $1000 worth of craft kits/supplies, and on holiday craft day (a saturday) sell individaul crafts that the kids make on the spot, each craft we charge about a dollar more than the cost, or $1.50 - $3.50 each so we end up making about $2000 profit, but the goal is making a craft for the parent/family members, not making money. any exta supplies, we save for the following yr.