Book Excerpt: Basket Raffles

The premise of a basket raffle is simple:


1) Baskets of varying themes are donated or created.

2) Raffle tickets are sold both in advance and the day of your event – two-sided numbered tickets work best – one side goes in the raffle, and the other is kept by the donor for verification.

3) Tickets are placed in a clearly marked bag or other container attached to the basket(s) they want to win.

4) A drawing is made toward the end of your event, and baskets go home with the lucky winners!

This is an easy one if you’re having a school carnival or fundraiser. Just give each classroom a plastic laundry basket and a theme. Each child is asked to bring in an item – they shouldn’t have to spend more than $5.00-$7.00 each, and before you know it, you have a basket worth $100-$125. As an incentive, award each child who participates will receive a few free tickets to the carnival for each item they bring.

You can incorporate a basket raffle into almost any kind of fundraising event – ask for themed baskets from donors as well as your working committees.

Here are 47 BASKET THEMES to choose from - can you think of more?


KIDS

1) Arts and Crafts: markers, crayons, glue, scissors, construction paper, glitter pens
2) Sports: jump rope, sports drinks, hula hoop, nerf balls, badminton, other sports balls, wiffle ball set

3) Beach Basket: beach toys, sunglasses, goggles, pail and shovel, lip balm, sand molds, small net

4) Snack Basket: roll-ups, juice boxes, snack crackers, raisins, packs of chips or cookies

5) Outdoor Fun: balls, rubber band airplanes, kites, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, watering can, kid-sized gardening tools

6) Bear Basket: stuffed bears of all shapes and sizes, gummy bears, Build-a-Bear gift card, bear jigsaw puzzle

7) School Supplies: notebooks, pens, pencils, backpack, ruler, compass, flash drive, calculator, combination lock, binders, composition books

WOMEN

8) Scrap booking: stickers, adhesive, notions, markers, paper assortments, stamps, albums

9) Bath and Body: lotion, loofah, body wash, sponge, scented soaps, perfume or body splash, hand and foot care products

10) Date Night – make either an at-home date night (gourmet snacks, scented massage oils, music DVD) or a going-out date night (gift certificates for restaurants, movies, coffee, etc.

11) Jewelry Basket – jewelry box, earrings, necklaces, bracelets

12) Makeup Basket – Avon, Mary Kay, Smashbox, etc. magnifying mirror, tweezers, makeup remover, applicators and brushes

13) Manicure/Pedicure – pumice stone, clippers, files, polish, buffer, polish remover, toe separators

14) Spa – loofah, eye mask, lotions and shower gels, slippers, relaxation CD

15) Gardening – gloves, garden implements, seeds, pots

16) Meditation – relaxation CD’s and DVD’s, yoga mat, how-to books, incense, candles

17) Stationary – envelopes, scented paper, thank you notes, postage stamps, fountain pen, address book

18) Baking – pans, cake and brownie mixes, spatulas, non-stick spray, sprinkles and other decorations, cookbook

19) Spring Cleaning – variety of cleaning products ('green' products are best), bucket, sponges, squeegee, scrubbers

MEN

20) Imported Beer or Wine – self explanatory!

21) Super Bowl – snack assortment, football-related decorations, disposable snack plates and napkins, cooler

22) Fishing – variety of lures, fishing line, tackle box and organizers, hooks, bobbers, collapsible fishing pole

23) Hunting - camouflage everything! – socks, face mask, cap, shirt, hand and feet warmers

24) Car Care – wash and wax supplies, mitt, chamois, tire shine, air fresheners

25) Golf - balls, tees, golf towel, divot repair tool,

26) Bar Basket – Bottle openers, mixers, peanuts, pretzels, cocktail napkins

27) Tailgate – tabletop grill, paper products and tableware, drink holders, folding chairs, blankets, hand and feet warmers

28) BBQ - variety of barbecue sauces and marinades, grilling implements

29) Tools – hammer, nails, screws, level, stud-finder, adjustable wrench, pliers, measuring tape, toolbox

30) Hot Stuff – variety of hot sauces, wasabi peas, beef jerky, jalapeno chips, anything with a spicy kick

ANYONE

31) Cookie Time: cookie mixes, spatulas, storage containers, baking sheets, potholders, chocolate chips

32) Favorite sports team (local, college, or professional): bumper stickers, pom-poms, t-shirt, socks, key chain, anything with the team logo on it

33) Chocolate Lovers: candy bars and bags of candy of all kinds, cocoa mix, cake and cookie mixes, chocolate-flavored cereal, melting chocolate with reusable molds

34) Puzzles and Games: board games, card games, jigsaw puzzles

35) Breakfast Basket: tea, cereal, syrup, pancake mix, waffle mix, Pop-Tarts, cocoa, mug

36) Movie Basket- Microwave popcorn bucket, DVD or rental certificates, movie candy, Snuggie

37) City Basket – items unique to the city – sports team tickets, museum admission, restaurant certificates, logo clothing or other memorabilia (an airport gift shop is a great place to find city-specific items)

38) Exercise – hand weights, mat, jump rope, exercise bands, DVD’s

39) Running – socks, ankle/wrist weights, reflective gear, mp3 armband

40) Pasta – pasta noodles, sauces, colander, spaghetti ladle, olive oil, Italian spices

41) Dog/Cat Basket – variety of animal toys and treats, grooming products, leash

42) Picnic – basket, table ware, food containers with lids, ice packs, tablecloth

43) Fast Food – variety of fast food coupons and gift cards

44) Christmas – holiday decorations, candles and candle holders, hand towels, gift books, CD’s

45) Organizing/Home Office – file folders, label maker, stapler and staple remover, tape dispenser, dry erase board and markers, magazine holders, pencil cup, paper clips, post-its

46) Coffee Basket – variety of ground coffees, whole beans with grinder, French press, mugs

47) Baby – blankets, onesies, diapers, lotions/creams/powders, nail clippers, socks, toys