We are preparing for our 6th annual festival and silent auction. Here are some ideas we have added over the years.

season passes for home sporting events
reserved seating for all home sporting events (does not include admission)
Ride on a fire truck in the local Memorial Day Parade
Ride along with a local police officer
Lunch with local Senator
Mayor for a day (child)
Parents that have their own businesses have offered: 12 haircuts, 1/month for 1 year
dozen cookies/month for a year
Flowers every month for a year
Gourmet feast for 8 prepared and served in your home (includes clean up)
Winter snow removal

Sorry all, have been out of commission, but now getting back on track!
More ideas...
1st Parking Spot for senior for entire academic year, (only appropriate if spots are coveted or in short supply)
8 front row, reserved seats at commencement
Go Fish! - Trustee to take 3 others for half day fishing in his boat on LI Sound
Glamour Girls Party - fashionista moms volunteer to do hair, make-up & manicures for party of 8 girls
patch-grade quilt - each class member designs a square for grade quilt, (can pre-select fabrics, but adornments are individualized) teacher or parent needs to assemble.
middle schoolapalooza - dress down day for entire grade, w/no homework, bagel breakfast, pizza lunch, ice-cream break
Dine around town - 5 different gift certicates for lunch/dinner in same town or county.
Ski weekend - families with ski lodge donates weekend at home and customize with local donors
Beach/island week/weekend - family with beach/island retreat donate for prize,+ customize with local donors

Hope this helps some.
As far as soliciting for donations, our experience has been that we have far more success with local retailers, restaurants sports teams,etc., unless of course you have a parent connection....!
Good luck to all!!!!

Hey Mary P --

Please feel free to post additional ideas here.

Folks -- let's kill the "email me's" in this thread. If Mary returns -- she can list her ideas right here for all (including future users to run across). And if she doesn't let's use this thread for additional creative auction item ideas.

Tim

Mary Poppins,
Could I have a list as well? I am soooo in over my head and I have not even begun to prepare for our Auction this Spring!!
Gracias!
Maureen
:confused:

[ 11-12-2005, 11:30 PM: Message edited by: Rockne ]

Mary Poppins,

I loved your ideas! We are a new school and having our first family festival and auction. I'd love some more of your ideas. Thank you

Beverly

[ 11-12-2005, 11:31 PM: Message edited by: Rockne ]

Originally posted by marypoppins:
Holly,

We had several unique items at our last Spring Gala, live & silent auction:

(live) Headmaster for a Day - $900 - to a 1st grader!

(live) Class Slumber Party - $875 - ptp couple donated pizza, midnight snacks & breakfast + hosts for the night, a fav. teacher also was chaperone.

(silent) Grade Decoupage Item (clock, tray) - cratfy PTP mum, used mini photos of class members and added a themed decoupage and decorative script - totally awesome! doing again this year! $75 - $575

(silent) Bedside Tables - Creative Wood class (teacher parent), designed, cut, assembled and stenciled their own creations - $375 - $700

(silent) Themed class baskets from each grade - the best last year was a Backyard BBQ, which included all BBQ (cedar planks, W/Sonoma tools,cook books) a croquet set, ice/beer bath, etc - $650!!!!!

We are a k-12 school with 170 students, and have raised $20,000 at our last 2 Galas.

note- This year another parent is teaching digitized photography,(co-sponsored by the PTP) I have to think of a unique way some of the students work could be included...!?!?!?!?!

I have loads of other ideas if you're interested.
Aly, PTP Pres.NY