Silent Auction - What would you want to bid on?

Jcubed2003

I am working on a fundraiser for my son's school.  I was wondering what you might consider bidding on as part of a silent auction. We have already sent letters to various museums, zoo, and local restaurants.  Any input is greatly appreciated - THANK YOU!

katjafly

Diamond stud earrings, autographed sports memorabilia, a spoiled pet basket

4EvR&4AlWz

We always bid on golf passes, like 4 passes for Treesdale, etc!  We also bid on gift cards...one year we got a $100 giant eagle card for $90 and $50 Sheetz for $40.

bride2003

i just went to a fundraiser for our school last night and the amount of auction items were insane.  People donated condos at seven springs, colorado, florida etc.. They all went exc.  the one in colorado b/c the minimum bid was too high (just a suggestion - while the value may be high don't make the first bid too high, if you lower it people are more likely to keep bidding on it).  Golf 4 somes, pirate, steeler, pens tickets.  Pictures of the city, gift baskets (thirty one, tastefully simple etc..).  Some of those could be raffle ticket basket items but it was nice to have a good range of silent auction items to bid on.  They ranged anywhere from $30 - $2000.  Hotel night stays with gift card for dinner, gift cards, wine basket, beer basket, jewelry...

lishie

I always like wine baskets or experience baskets--tickets for X, Y, & Z that are all connected via some sort of theme.

egpitt22

I enjoy the themed baskets (we went to a fundraiser last year and won a steelers basket with a ton of stuff in it), or the experience baskets, like Lisa suggested.

Jcubed2003

Thanks for all of the ideas!  So appreciated. 

SaintAliaKnife

When I have hosted fundraisers in the past, I have found that baskets seem to get the most bids. People seem to like a "Bundle".  I worked for a Private school in Chicago and they did a few things that got some really high bids.

1. Nice "craft" items using the kids in some way. A photographer donated their time and  took pictures pictures of each child in each class and made a large frame for each class using the kids spelling out the ABC's. A wood worker made a bench and topped it with the children's art.

 2. Donated activities with the teachers. "Meeting at a park for a picnic with a specific teacher" Trip to the zoo with the principal." 

3. Photography session are big as well as artist to paint family or kids pictures. 

4. Personalized item.

I also liked to have a lot of "tea cup" auction items because people feel like they are getting a huge deal if they win it with a little ticket