If you plan for arranging a silent auction to raise funds, it is important to be creative in selecting the silent auction items. Picking unusual items can help to attract more guests and thereby to increase your donations. Spa items, food themes and pet things are usually a big hit and you can try to feature these items. It is always advisable to keep wide variety of items that attract different types of people. It is also important to have a good range of prices, which make it affordable for all types of people.
Some creative ideas:
o Silent auction items for kids must not only be silent auction ideas attractive, but also useful. You can contact the local indoor kid’s gyms, tea houses or children’s museums and ask whether they can offer an admission and donate a birthday party package. You can also try to include the services of a local face painter, balloon twister and magician in the package.
o Generally, families with small kids do not like to eat out. You can ask the catering companies in your locality to donate dinner for a family. You can also ask them to provide toys and other playthings, so that the kids would not disturb their parents while eating.
o Trips and getaways are all time favorite silent auction items. You can offer airline tickets, boat cruise trip, bed and breakfast in a star hotel or a resort, hot air balloon ride etc.
o Many people, especially youngsters are interested in sports and sport events. You can therefore plan to give riding lessons, skiing lessons, sports equipment, pro game tickets etc. Autographed sports items like hockey sticks, jerseys etc are the best items for a silent auction.
o Tickets for cultural events can be a great silent auction item that can help to raise more funds. You can offer concert tickets, theater tickets or movie tickets.
o You can try nurseries in your area for donating trees, flowering plants, garden supply, soil, gardening seeds and landscape supply.
o Themed gift baskets are the most wonderful silent auction items that can help you to run the auction smoothly and to raise more money quickly. For instance, you can give dog baskets that include all the essential items for a pet dog and a gift certificate for a local dog groomer. Another brilliant idea is to give a themed gift basket that includes food items and gift certificate for free groceries.
o Oriental carpets, kitchen equipment, antiques and kitchen appliances can be good silent auction items. They can bring you more money easily.
o Offering the services of a photographer, landscape designer, interior designer, massage therapist or florist can help to get higher bids and to raise funds. The certificates to offer services of housepainters, plumbers, fireplace sweepers and electricians are valuable. The donors are generally willing to offer the services, as they can enjoy the chance of getting repeated businesses.