One of the natural advantages of hosting a silent auction in the late fall (think October through December) is its proximity to December.
December is the monster month when it comes to gift giving. Many of us are thinking about buying gifts for people we care about or considering buying small gifts to have on hand for “emergencies.”
(Nothing like quickly throwing a gift into a festive bag when you need a last-minute item. When friends invite you for dinner, or that random office party or garden club dinner requires a small gift, it’s nice to have something on hand.)
Why not play on that natural gift-giving cycle and use it to help sell your items? Put a bow on it!
I have a client who holds its school fundraising auction in November. Each silent auction item is displayed with care, festively topped with a bow. Having held this auction for many years, the school must have hundreds of bows by now.
It’s a great idea because it doesn’t presume guests will remember to shop.
When I have an event to go to NEXT WEEK, I think about taking a gift. But if your auction is in late October or early November, your guests might not quite remember that gift-giving season is around the corner. Reminding guests that the holidays are almost here will help them remember to shop for gift items. It might seem obvious to you; it’s not to all of your guests.
Putting a bow on your silent auction items is a simple way to remind your supporters that they can do you both them and you a favor. While they purchase a present for a friend, they’ll also making a donation to your nonprofit.
Another suggestion is to save the bows. You could use them, year after year. I’d consider that to be a smart investment. Your auction would become more environmentally-friendly and still be festive in its merchandising.
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