Silent Auction Item Ideas
What should be up for bid at a silent auction? Silent auctions hold many opportunities to gain long-term supporters, and it is your job to create a fun and exciting event that they will remember. Let’s discover the best silent auction ideas to engage your donors!
Fitness Package
Fitness packages can include a gym membership. Go further and couple it with the fitness basket, including dumbbells, a yoga mat, protein bars, workout videos, and more! Add a gift card to a sporting goods store so they can buy sporting clothes or gym equipment.
Another item you can do alone or add to the package is online workout classes, which will appeal to them no matter where your attendees live.
Date Night
Here is an auction item that your attendees may love! It can appeal to singles or couples because two friends can also use a date night package. Have a fun night planned where the winning bidders can have local cuisine at their favorite restaurant, followed by karaoke. Group this item with cooking classes to have a fun-filled day. Comedy night is a popular date night event that will bring high bids.
Other date night ideas include:
- Pottery classes for two
- Go-kart racing
- Tickets to an amusement park
- Axe throwing
- Mini Golf
- Spa day
Hobby Kits
Many people have hobbies and fill their free time by doing something they love. These could be crocheting, scrapbooking, jewelry making, woodworking, or painting. You can make various types of hobby kits or do some research on the attendees.
If they like poker, get a set with dice, betting chips, and playing cards. You could even add a buy-in to a virtual poker tournament. There are many options to add to your silent auction; some will sell for good money.
Childcare and Pet Sitting
At some point, parents rely on childcare when working, running errands, or going on dates. Not only is childcare expensive, but you will need a reliable silent auction item ideas company to offer quality services. Attendees will find a childcare package highly appealing because they can get nanny services at a discounted rate.
Let’s not forget pet care! Remember each time you wanted to go away for the weekend and either changed plans or struggled to find someone to care for your furbabies? Pet sitting is becoming a trend as pet owners rely on trusted pet sitters to manage their four-legged friends while away. When looking for a local pet-sitting company, ensure they are insured and licensed before offering it as an item for auction.
Boat Cruise
What is better than a cruise? There are unlimited food and unique cuisine choices that you can switch up with every meal, and the entire experience is jam-packed with adventure. Show attendees that going on a cruise to a remote destination will create lasting memories for them and their loved ones. In addition, cruises have onboard casinos, mini-golf, swimming pools, climbing walls, and child care so that the adults can play too! Who could resist this silent auction idea?
Streaming Services
Streaming services have blown up recently but can break the bank when you have too many. Offer year subscriptions to attendees who love to binge-watch their favorite TV shows and save themselves money on streaming service costs.
Streaming services to offer as an auction item include:
- Hulu
- Netflix
- Disney+
- SlingTV
- HBO Max
- FuboTV
- Staycation Supplies
Don’t we all love a night in? Instead of a spa day, create a package with staycation supplies. Auction attendees can enjoy a collection of their favorite rom-com or action films with a DVD collection, a cozy robe, fuzzy slippers, crossword puzzles, popcorn, and chocolates.
Again, you can bundle staycation supplies with date night or hobby kits to keep the item’s winner busy all weekend for their staycation!
Air Fryer and Recipe Book
Not everyone likes to spend hours in the kitchen for a good meal. As a unique auction item, have an air fryer, crockpot, and recipe book so the person can make quick and delicious meals from home. Air fryers let you crisp food, heat leftovers, and cook frozen food quickly. It is also a healthy option for those who enjoy fried food without the extra calories from grease.
To maximize the bid, combine the air fryer and recipe book with a cooking gift basket!
Landscaping
Here is one for those who rarely have free time to get their landscape in tip-top shape. Landscaping companies may donate their cleanup and maintenance services to your nonprofit. So many people don’t have time each weekend to get the lawn mowed, weeds pulled, and shrubs trimmed. It will take a significant burden off the winner’s hands, and your auction may even end up in a bidding war with such a popular item.
Free Dry Cleaning & Chores
Everyone has something they want dry cleaned, whether suites or living room drapes. This gives you the perfect opportunity to approach your local dry cleaner to donate their services to one lucky winner for a few months or longer.
Ensure you confirm all the details, such as how many garments the winning bidder can launder per visit and the number of drop-offs allowed.
Additionally, you can get a few volunteers and coworkers to form a chore team, whose time can be auctioned for chore services during a set period. If your newly formed chore team is willing to donate more time, you can have more than one session available for auction.
Conclusion
Silent auctions are successful additions to your charity’s fundraising event. This is an excellent opportunity for your nonprofit to generate funding, expand its donor base, and spread the word about its mission. In addition, you can collect thousands of dollars by including attractive items, events, and experiences in many areas of interest.