We are trying originalworks this fall instead of the wrapping paper fundraiser. We have just gotten burned out on wrapping paper. Plus, since the majority of our kids are preschool-Kindergarten, the kids aren't even really involved in the wrapping paper thing at all -- we don't do incentive/prizes, none of that stuff.
I agree totally. While I love my children, do I really want a mug every year with their art work? And help me from the Chrismas presents of my nieces and nephews artwork on mugs.
I am just so burned out from sending money to the school for this and that.
Our school (not PTO) does this each year as a special fundraiser for the art room. The kids each create a special piece of artwork which comes home with the fundraising materials.
It's definitely not inexpensive. I think a coffee cup is about $8-$10. There are t-shirts, pillow cases, maybe a wall calendar, etc.
As a parent, I have mixed feelings. The stuff is definitely cute, but kind of expensive. I don't really WANT any of it, but it's hard to say no when your child has designed a special art piece to be immortalized for this "project". Even though participation is voluntary, it kind of puts parents on the spot. (Purely my personal opinion.)
Thanks for the web sites...I really think this sounds like fun...Some of the older kids (5th grade) have spoke at some our Pto meetings and talked about fundraising and they have said they would like to do something more interactive than just selling wrapping paper or cookie dough. Thanks again!!
We used Originalworks for the first time this spring. From what the committee that put it together told us, they set the prices for each item. I don't know if that included the magnet(ours were $5). If that's the case maybe you could sell the magnet at cost. It would be tough on some families to afford even a small amount like that. I had also wondered how many kids had to come back with theirs and how many never paid. Will have to ask about that.
Oh, another sudden idea. If the cost of the magnet is a big deal maybe the PTO could just pay for the magnets so each child could have theirs and then hope that enough parents bought other items to make up that cost.
