We just completed our winter carnival & the baskets turned out great! Room moms collect donations & items from other parents in the class. Our PTA always steps in to help teachers who are not getting the response they had hoped for. Print a donation letter (with principals approval) and go to your local businesses. Most are usually happy to support the local school (many bigger businesses, ex. Wal-Mart, will donate gift cards). Good luck:)
We too have been doing the auction baskets the last few years. It takes a lot of reminders, which our PTO secretary or auction chairperson takes care of. We sometimes have combined a couple of the baskets, but last time decided to keep some of them small to accomodate various parent's budgets that can't always spend out the big bucks. This way all the parent's get an opportunity to make a contribution by purchasing a basket.
Looking for a well written note that we can send to our parents asking
them to contribute items for the classroom baskets. This is the first
year we are trying this idea and want it to be a success not an offense
to the parents. Send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in snowy Wisconsin
Send a reminder - and also let parents know that they do not have to buy the stuff. Maybe they can get items donated from businesses. That's how we get our baskets made when we do them.
The ultimate classroom object has not been a basket - but unique, one of a kind, art work. Each year one first grade teacher puts together a book featuring her students' pictures. It is a one of a kind book and goes huge at the auction. Other things that do well are large glazed platters or bowls that have been decorated with the student thumb or hand prints. (Even easier is a terra cotta pot decorated with thumb bugs and student names.)
Of course the one theme basket that has been the most successful has been the "chocolate" basket. Oh my, do people fight for that one!
