If you don't already close your auction out in two or three waves/time slots, you might consider that. It makes checkout easier and those who don't win in the first wave are inclined to bid more during the second pass.

As we pull the winners, have a poster board for each letter in the alphabet and we write the winners on the appropriate board. We then post the boards out in the hallway. We don't have 100 baskets tho! More like 50. Do you think maybe you should cut back on the number of baskets? I wonder if you'd still raise the same amount of money?

I've tried various methods and the one I like best is to simply sort the sheet alphabetically and post the names. But the key is to do it in BATCHES.

** Volunteers circle the winning name and collect all the sheets (Optional step)

** Have volunteers write the letter of the winner's last name on the sheet, but specify where so they are all done the same way - for instance, write it in the lower right corner. (Optional step).

** Define your batches (with 100, I'd do 4 or 5 batches) and write the alpha sets on a piece of paper to designate stacks on the table (A-F, G-L, etc.) Your brain can sort faster if you can SEE the target letters.

** Have your volunteers sort the bid sheets into their alpha stacks by looking at the initial (if you did that because it makes sorting faster) or the winner name. This is just like dealing cards. You don't want to read/interpret the sheets. Simply glance at the initial/name and throw in the right pile.

** Have a volunteer pick up each batch and sort the names, clipping any multiples together. Since you are only working with 1/4 of the alphabet, it goes fast.

** Have a poster board or flip chart for each alpha batch. Write the winners' names. If they won multiple items, you might put a number beside it. You don't have to write WHAT they won. Post the results on a wall (having told attendees earlier where to look.)

This is easy for everyone. If my name begins with B, then I know to look on the A-G flipchart to watch for my name to see if I won any bids. You can also use this method for crowd control, placing the results where it's best for people to congregate. Works well.

We pull the bid sheets, determine the winner, and replace the bid sheets with a blank bid sheet (title of basket and basket number on the sheet). The winner's name is written on the blank bid sheet.

We also have a post-it on every blank bid sheet with the basket number on it as well. We ask winners to take the post-it so they can bring it to check-out, but leave the blank bid sheet on the table so others will know the winner's name.

This is a lot of prep work, but it makes the actual auction run pretty smoothly.

I've also seen auctions where bidders are assigned numbers to bid with. The winners' numbers are posted on large posters beside the basket names.

How do you announce or present your winners for a theme basket auction?

Right nowwe have all our baskets in the gym and then we take all the baskets down to our auditorium and announce each one. This takes a long time I think and deters people from attending they don't want to sit through the whole winning process. We have over a 100 baskets I would think plus all the gift certifcates and business donations. YIKES

What are some ideas?