Let me guess. You are planning a family reunion and one of your relatives has suggested holding an auction to raise money for expenses incurred.
What a good idea!
Like many other families, my family began holding an auction to cover the costs of producing the event.
The money raised from the auction is used in the months leading up to the meeting for expenses such as renting the facility and purchasing utensils, coffee, and related supplies. My cousin buys the meat (for which he is reimbursed) and graciously smokes it from a melt-in-your-mouth grocer on his farm. We also buy fun prizes to reward the “oldest attendee” or “farthest traveled”. Winners of various other games also receive small gifts such as travel-sized lotions and hand sanitizers.
For our first auction in 2005, we sold 23 items and raised $610. They were all delighted! Since setting up the meeting has usually only cost ~$200, an account was set up at the credit union to hold the extra cash. Refunds are made from that account. Because that first event was so successful and covered our costs, we have since placed less emphasis on everyone bringing an item.
We announced our first auction via a mass email to the family. Everyone was asked to bring something to sell at our inaugural Family Reunion Auction. Because the concept was new, many people had questions about what would be an appropriate item to wear. We gave examples of items we had heard of being sold at our friends’ family auctions.
When guests arrive at our gathering, we place their donated items on a separate table with a sign that says “Auction Items.” The guests come to the table to browse, and after lunch I start the sale. If no one in your family is an auctioneer, I encourage you to find the most outgoing member of your brood and ask him to play the part. (If you have a very large gathering, it might be worth hiring a professional benefits auctioneer who will likely take a small percentage of the gross or charge a modest flat fee.)
We do not number items, write descriptions or use bid numbers. One of my cousins manages the clerk and everyone pays the clerk by cash or check after the event. It’s a low-tech, low-effort auction, but it still makes money.
Items sold are usually handmade by the donor or have some personal significance to the family. For example:
• Canned tomatoes
• A dozen kolaches
• Crochet items
• A basket full of all Kansas products (wine, snacks)
• Wahoo game board with marbles and dice
• Bird house
• A collection of freshly picked vegetables from the garden
• Reprinted photos of Grandma and Grandpa
• A scrapbook of Grandma’s saved sayings, recipes and other clippings, including some in Czech.
• Basket of cookies
• Old postcards kept by Grandma and Grandpa
• Painted Christmas ornament
In short, our family auction has served its purpose and has become a tradition. I predict the same will be true for your event!
