My recent articles in Benefit Auction Ideas (my twice-a-month ezine) have focused on suggestions for great benefit auction themes. In this post, I'm moving this theme concept in a new direction. Some elements of your gala are optional; others are required. Having a theme is optional. Offering items that people want - and guests with money to buy them - is required. A sound system falls into that latter category. It's required, even for small crowds. (I once used an at-home "toy" karaoke ... Read On >
themes
Hello Honeysuckle! 2011’s official color packs punch in benefit auction themes
Here’s a bit of froth and fun for my first blog post of 2011. If you're evaluating some trendy benefit auction themes or centerpiece ideas, here’s the color to use. PANTONE® 18-2120 Honeysuckle: the official color of 2011 Until stumbling across this last week, I had no idea there was a color of the year. (Naive of me.) In addition to paint, the perky shade has already been rolled into Visa cards and wedding dresses. Pantone says that the vibrant color of honeysuckle “lifts the ... Read On >
Venetian masks used as auction centerpieces
At a nonprofit auction, the Venetian masks made for a lovely auction centerpiece. Venice is one of the most popular auction themes I see. Maybe it's the city's canals, its Carnival, or just the Italian culture in general that seems to capture our imaginations. At every Venice-themed auction I've worked, masks have been incorporated into the decor. At this fundraiser, the masks had a predominant role in the auction centerpieces. Each centerpiece showcased lovely half-masks. Many of the ... Read On >
For the school auction, the theme is Beach Ball
School auction themes vary dramatically, but here's one called "Beach Ball." The overall effect was more beach than ball. When spring break isn't quite here and winter has been around for eternity, everyone is eager to relive some of the summer warmth enjoyed so many weeks before. This school auction committee brightened up a fellowship hall to make it festive. Guests did their part by showing up in colorful beach-themed wear. (No swimming suits, but lots of flowered shirts.) Here are some ... Read On >
Auction themes play to underwater mysteries with Treasures of the Deep
My team and I worked an event in southern Virginia which was one of the most attractive and creative auction themes I've attended. It wasn't a large audience -- the crowd only numbered around 225 -- but the decor and atmosphere was exquisite! It was one of the more magical auctions I've attended. The theme was Treasures of the Deep. All things of underwater intrigue could be found here. The dark, mysterious, quiet of the ocean seemed to come alive in this fitness facility (not that you could ... Read On >