We have a Holiday Bazaar and Holiday Auction and cakewalk every year at our elementary school.
We get donations from area businesses, families and classrooms. We have about 130 items for the auction. We sell tickets 5 for $1.00.
The past several years we went with Santas Secret Shop for the Bazaar. The students bought items anywhere from .75 cents to $10.00. The merchandise was ok quality. We dont make any money on this but the past several years we lost money. This year we are going to purchase items from the dollar store. I have the total # of tiems we sold the past several year, so we have an idea of what to purchase.
It will be much easier for the students and us.
We hold the bazaar during the day. Each class is assigned a time to shop. They also get a chance to win a cake at the cake walk. The kids love that.
We hold a preview night also form 6 to 8pm. This gives the parents a chance to see what is available for the kids and view the auction items. This year we are having a Santa Claus on preview night.
Just wanted to share.. our PTO does one every year "Little shoppers shop", but when I was a kid I remember doing one at our town rec. center- Some group put it on. What i remember was buying my mom a black tin with gold and red flowers. I honestly don't like our cheap stuff from our kids shopping... don't like anything plastic and disposable for this one. My mom still has the tin & I remember how proud I was to give it.
My kids came out with throw away pens, & flashlights. Honestly, i don't know where they are now.
My suggestion... find a discount store & buy decent gifts that can be kept & remembered. Perhaps you can ask a local gift shop if you can purchase at their wholesale price, you might be suprised.
We use Kids Korner (stuff is priced .25 - 10.00). We have been very happy with their service and product. In addition I watch the clearance sales and pick up any kind of lava lamp, glitter lamp, spinning lamp, disco lamp that I can find. The kids go absolutely nuts over these lamps. For example right now (bought them TODAY) you can go into Kohls and buy their LAVA brand glitter nightlights for 3 bucks (orig.$10)! A 13" lava lamp is $4.50 (orig. $15). Giant disco ball lamp (normally $50) now $15. Also watch Targets dollar section. Every once in awhile they clearance that stuff out at .25 a piece! Around Thanksgiving, even Menards has kids princess and spiderman lamps for $5 day after thanksgiving. I love doing the holiday shop because I love finding bargains and passing them on to the kids. In fact, many times I have to remind the teachers the deals are for the KIDS. On the last day teachers can shop.
hi,roof 6 pack, the main problem is nothing is working that we have tried. this year i came up with a great plan of attack, i thought it would be a hit, but its turned into a brick wall instead. i thought we could put the kid stuff in one room and do more adult things in another,avon,tupperware,etc. but all of the companys refuse to work with us because they are worried about thier bottom line,im looking at it as something fun for the parents to do while the kids shop. i like the teddy bear thing good luck with it
hey missymom3... sounds like you are feeling down. I'm with you. I'm the old guard as well... but I have found ways to be involved and still feel good.
Are you asking for more christmas fundraising ideas/activities?
We are stuffing teddy bears for the military families and titling our event, "Operation: Send a Hug" We are gaining the benefits financially and sending the bears to military families. We will also have bears for purchase. If you want more info on how we are doing this I can help.
