Family Reunion Auctions: Ideas on How to Run Them

Let me guess. You are planning a family reunion and one of your relatives has suggested holding an auction to raise money for the expenses incurred.

What a good idea!

Like many other families, my family started holding an auction to cover the production costs of the event.

The money raised from the auction is used in the months leading up to the meeting for expenses such as renting the facilities and purchasing utensils, coffee, and related supplies. My cousin buys the meat (for which he is reimbursed) and kindly smokes it until it melts in his mouth on his farm. We also buy fun prizes to give to the “oldest attendees” or “those who traveled the furthest.” Winners of other games also receive small gifts like hand lotions and travel sanitizers.

For our first auction in 2005, we sold 23 items and raised $ 610. Everyone was delighted! Because organizing the meeting has generally 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 through an explosive 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 that we had heard that were sold at family auctions from our friends.

When guests arrive at our meeting, we place their donated items on a separate table with a sign that says “Auction Items.” Guests walk past the table to search, and after lunch I start the sale. If no one in your family it is As an auctioneer, I encourage you to find the most outgoing member of your brood and ask them to serve on the job. (If you have a very large meeting, it might be worth hiring a professional benefits auctioneer who will likely take a small percentage of the gross amount or charge a modest flat fee.)

We do not number items, write descriptions, or use offer numbers. One of my cousins ​​handles the administrative management, and everyone pays the employee in cash or by check after the event. It’s a low-tech, low-effort auction, but it still makes money.

Items sold are generally handmade by the donor or have some personal meaning to the family. For instance:

• Canned tomatoes

• A dozen kolaches

• Crochet items

• A basket filled with all Kansas products (wine, snacks)

• Wahoo game board with marbles and dice

• Bird house

• A collection of freshly harvested vegetables

• Reprinted photographs of grandmother and grandfather

• A scrapbook of Grandma’s saved sayings, recipes, and other clippings, including some in Czech

• Basket of cookies

• Old postcards kept by grandmother and grandfather

• Painted Christmas ornament

Ultimately, our family auction has served its purpose and has become a tradition. I predict the same will happen with your event!