My Life Blog

Here is a link to my blog about me so go over and take a look please.http://throughgrannieseyes.blogspot.co.uk/

Next Event to Organize.

This year has been a busy year here in our community, we have seen a lot of fundraising happening in our small town raising funds for two of our ladies who are needing treatment for Cancer in Germany. It has been great seeing the whole community coming together and raising funds and showing support to all those who have been involved in organizing the events.

I am involved in running a local community group and every week we host a family prize bingo this has been up and running now for a couple of years and involves people of all ages coming together and playing bingo for prizes. We also support local shops and buy gift vouchers from them to use as prizes.

The Community Group recently started a Baby & Toddler weekly session so this has taken off and we are getting more people coming along and showing support for the community group and so lets hope that this continues and we see lots more people coming together.

The next fundraiser is a cause that my Sisters and I have been raising funds for over the last 4 years and a cause close to our heart that is the Cystic Fibrosis Charity. We are just under 6 weeks away from the event and so it is time to push it along and get the plans moving for the event on September 15th. I will take you through some of the procedures and what is involved in organizing this event.

The event is an evening of Beauty & Mind and when we first started this event  a few years ago it was a new idea that since has become very popular in our area with lots of people doing their own version of the event and raising funds for their own cause Our Beauty & Mind evenings are an evening of Beauty treatments, Mediumship, Crafts, Jewellery and some beautiful items. The evening is still a very popular event and until they prove not to be then we will continue to run this yearly.

So the local  venue has been found in our local community centre where we hold most of our events. The centre which is ideal with a large room that can be divided so that we can us one half for the hustle and bustle of shopping and chatting and the other section for the peace and calm of beauty treatments and mediumship. The centre has all the facilities we need a kitchen, parking, plenty of tables/chairs and is a clean light building. I have already taken some bookings for stalls but have  just sent out an email to all my stall holders asking them if they would like to book for this event.  The stall price at this event is  £10 and for this you get a table about 6ft long by 3ft wide with the option to buy 2 tables. We have found that a lot of stall holders like to bring their own tables along to the events and we allow them to do this if they are around the same size.  It is now a waiting game to see who comes back and lets me know they would like a stall. The event has also be advertised for a while on Stall Finder /Stall & Craft Collective and UK Craft Fairs.  The posters have been ordered and these will go out about 3 weeks before the event.

So it is Toodle Pip for now and will let you have an update soon.
xx

If you would like to follow my family blog I have just started then here is the link
http://throughgrannieseyes.blogspot.co.uk

What is fundraising?
Fundraising is and the seeking of financial support for a charity or cause close to your heart.

Over the years I have collected a collection of games and ideas to use at fundraising events that can be used at many of the fairs, fetes, or fundraising events that we all hold.

I am also now going to be writing about my fundraising events that I am involved in through the years. Hopefully together we can build up and share our fundraising experience helping one another in our aim to raise funds for our cause.

MOTHER/FATHER SUPRISE GIFT...Fundraiser

What You Will Need:

 

Prezzie's...lots of cheap and cheerful presents (under a £1). Wrapping paper, bows and fancy ribbon, netting or fancy material, used greeting cards (Birthday etc.).

 

The idea of this is to buy lots of cheap prezzies....... a great time to do this is after Christmas you can pick up little stocking fillers for next to nothing in shops like Wilkinson's, Home Bargains , (ask for a discount if buying a lot ). Sometimes you can buy gift sets that you can split.

 

Make gift cards out of your used greeting cards...Get the children to make them, they can be cut to any shape or size, punch a hole in them and thread through ribbon. The children can then write their message on for the person receiving the gift.

 

Wrap the presents up in fancy wrapping/material/netting.

 

Send out a letter to the parents asking them to send the Children in with a £1 as you are having a surprise present day. Let the Children come along and choose a present for their parent/grandparent/guardian. They can then put there handmade gift tag on it and take it home.

 

This is not a great money maker but the Children really love to do it.

Time of year!!

As it is the time of the year when our thoughts are turning to organizing Spring and Summer Fairs I would like to remind you all to take a look at the Stall Games section for lots of different ideas on Game Stalls to hold at these events.

The more variety of stalls you have at your event the more people will come back the following years. People do not want to wak around a event seeing Tombola after Tombola. A great way of making money but also a great way of putting people off coming to your next event.

A stall that no one has seen before can bring lots of people flocking to your table. Games like Stand up Bingo,easy to set up and simple to play for all ages,young and old. The Money Tree and Holiday destination all easy to set up and fun too for all ages.

Go on be a bit more adventureous,the rewards for you will be there to see,when Mr Tombola Stall is left standing on his own.

Valentine Raffle

Are you holding a Valentines Raffle for all those romantics we have out there? Make sure you start now ....a valentines raffle does not have to be as big and fancy as your Christmas Raffle I usually do 3 or 4 prizes. Here are some ideas.

A Large Cuddly Bear with a bottle of wine and some Chocolates (all bought in the January sales)
wrapped up and tied at the top with a lovely large red bow. 

Most Pizza shops will do a special heart shaped pizza for Valentines so ask them to donate you one as a prize. Print out the voucher and place it with a bottle of wine and a nice scented candle wrapped and tied with a lovely ribbon.

Ask your local cinema if they will donate 2 tickets,place them in a basket with some popcorn and assorted sweets,Wrap and tie with love.

A romantic meal for two is a great prize and if you have a restaurant that is very popular and hard to get a seat on Valentines then ask them now!!!  Some times you have to pay out for prizes and this may be one of them,but ask the owner if they will donate a bottle or two of wine or give some discount. 

Flowers.......Ask the local florist if they will donate Valentines Flowers to be delivered on Valentines Day. Print out the vouvher as the prize so the winner can arrange the details.

A his and her pamper day......Ask around the many local Spa's and see if you can grab a package for two people.

Not all of our prizes can be donated and we do understand that they get many requests for donations so please remember to always be polite when asking and always send a thank you note after the event to let them know how much was raised for your good cause.

Start selling the tickets at least 3 weeks before and make sure the raffle is drawn five days before Valentines to give people time to organise the prizes.

Not many people sell raffle tickets this time of year so get in there and grab and make lots of funds for your good cause xxxxxx

New Year Sales

Hi everyone,

I hope all your efforts have paid off over the last couple of months and you have made lots of  funds for your good cause with lots of fun along the way.
Now the Christmas season is coming to a end and as the sales begin this is a great time to get yourself a bargain for your events over the next couple of months.


There is no better time to pick up little bits to use in the Mothers/Fathers day Surprise ( posted in Individual Fundraiser). Look in places like Wilko's and Home Bargains where you can get little sets like bath bombs,toiletries,socks,chocolates  in packs that can be split for these events  Many tins of biscuits,chocolates,have a good date on them and are reduced in price in January,these can be used for a raffle,a prize bingo at your forth coming events.

Look out for Soft Christmas Toys the ones you find in the high street card shops,most of these are reduced in price and make a great raffle prize or name the bear ect at next years fair.

Another great idea is look around your local supermarkets,shops, shopping centres and ask them what they do with there decorations they have hanging this year........do they reuse them or throw them away,some may be ideal for your Santa's Grotto next year. There is no harm is asking they can only say "NO" , I have got lots of items just by asking.

I would like to wish you all a lovely Christmas and may the New year bring you all lots of Peace and Happiness. Thank You for all reading my Blog Xxx

Christmas Light

Found this little gift at a recent Christmas Fair and thought how simple it is to make but is lovely  to give as a small gift to family and friends.

You will need:
A tea light holder
A tea light
A small clear bag
Ribbon
Card

Place the candle in the  candle holder and place in bottom of clear bag.
Print a small card with the verse and place it in the bag.
Tie at the top with some festive ribbon.

Christmas Light
HE CAME TO BRING US LOVE AND LIGHT
TO BRING US PEACE ON EARTH
SO LET YOUR CANDLE SHINE TONIGHT
AND SING WITH JOY AND MIRTH

You could also put a safety message on the back.

I hope that you are enjoying the ideas and if you have any that you would like to share then please let me know them. I would love to get your feedback so feel free to leave me some. Thanks Helen x

Always on the look out!!!

The key to being a succesful fundraiser and making lots of profit is to always be on the look out for a bargain.
Always have some cash on you to buy them bargains you will see while you are out and about.

Think of what time of year and season it is.

Hot dogs will rise in price now as we come up to Halloween and Bonfire night,so buy as early as possible. They have a long date on them so can bought well in advance.

Keep a look out for bargains and cheap little items that can be used for Tombolas,or Secret Santa,

NOW is the time to send out those letters asking for items for your raffle,tombola,toys. Get in there soon before people get too busy buying organizing there own Christmas. Also people will be having a clear out now changing there summer wardrobes to winter.....get in there fast!!!

Shops will be changing stock now so you may get a bargain for your summer gala/raffle next year.
Look in  the charity shops for bargains.

Always carry a headed letter from your organisation and show it to the shop manager when asking for a discount....most stores will give you there staff discount if you have a letter.

Take a look at the Christmas Section for Christmas Stalls ideas. I will keep adding some more. Please keep checking back and leave me your comments, and also any ideas what you have done to raise funds at Christmas in your part of the world.
Christmas Fairs are a great way of bringing the Community together and is not always about making lots of money but about having some Community Spirit .
Always be on the look out for Christmas bargains.
If there is a fair or event in your area take a look and see if you can get any new ideas.
Take a look at what stalls are the most popular.

Always ask for a discount in shops if you are buying for a event.
Carry a headed letter form the organisation you are raising funds for to show to shop managers when you ask for a discount.
Whatever event you are having make sure you advertise it well in advance.

Thank You for reading my Blog and PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FEEDBACK x

Letters to Santa

Have a Letter to Santa Booth
Print off some Christmas Theme Headed Paper
Envelopes with Santa's address on
A special Santa post box made out of a large cardboard box
Painted red

Make sure the Children leave there name and address for a reply.

If you are going to charge for this service then sell tickets in advance so it makes it more special on the day for the Children.

Find the Stars

What you will need:
Star shapes
Christmas pencils/pens
A prize

Make up some Star shapes in different sizes.
Make some type of marking on it so that players know it is one of your stars ( a symbol in the middle)
Place the stars around the building where the event is being held
Place them on stalls, On stall holders,near Santa's Grotto
Print off instructions sheets . (not how many keep them guessing) .

Sell the sheets at the start of the event with a free pencil
Have a posting point to return the answer sheets to at the end of the event
The person who has found all the Stars or the nearest number of stars is the winner of the prize
If two or more winners then pull out a winner.

The idea is that while looking for Stars it will attract them to look at everything in the event .

RUDOLPH'S NOSE

You will need:

A piece of hardboard about 1m x 1m 
A Screw in Hook
Paints 
Small Hoola Hoops

Paint a picture of Rudolph face on the piece of hardboard,paint a lovely bright red nose.
Screw the large hook to the centre of the nose

The player gets three hooks and win a prize if  they can hook one on to Rudolph's nose

Simple but fun to play .

Santa's Socks

You will Need:

12 felt Santa Stockings or Stripy Socks numbered 1 to 12 (if using long stripy socks it can be called Elves Socks)
A mixture of sweets,balloons,small toys like bubbles etc
Strong rope (washing line rope is fine)
Clothes pegs
2 dices

The Children love this simple and great game to play

Fix the line so it can be seen behind the stall
Put a handful of sweets or a toy in each of the socks
Have some extra items in sock number 12 as the super prize if double six is thrown
Peg the socks up on the washing line

The player pays to have a go at throwing the dices
The prize is what is the contents in the sock that matches the number on the dices
Refill the sock and hang it back up

Every time they get a prize and if you buy sweets in bulk from warehouses etc then you can make a good
amount of profit.

Christmas Tableware

A good stall to have at the event is a stall that caters for everyone not just large family's.

Buy Christmas Crackers 

Serviettes,paper plates,cups,table clothes

Christmas Cards

Wrapping paper

Baubles

Candles

Gift Bags

Money Wallets

Al of these come in packs that can be split and sold as individual items.

You may not make much profit from this stall but it may just help someone have a little bit extra on Christmas Day.

Santa's Chimneys

What you will need:

6 Cardboard boxes small and tall but not very wide shaped ones
3 Bean bags
Prizes

Paint or use paper to cover the boxes and mark them to look like brickwork and chimney pots. Keep the bottom and the tops of the boxes opened.
Mark a spot on the floor where the player has to stand.

Place the Chimneys on the floor.
The idea of the game is to get a bean bag into one of the chimney pots to win a prize

Children will love the fun of this.

Christmas Cd/Calendars/Christmas Cards

CHRISTMAS CD

This one is great for all organisations but especially good for a School.

Each Class Year sings a Christmas Carol/Song and records it and uploads it onto a Cd

Have all pupils involved in the event,playing there musical instruments,designing the cover.

Parents,Grandparents will love the idea of playing the School Cd with there child singing on it!

CHRISTMAS CARDS

There are lots of company's out there now who have ready made kits that include all you need to design your own Christmas cards. 

This idea can be used for any organisation whatever size. 

A great little fund raiser.

TEA TOWELS

Based on the same idea as the Cards the personal drawings designed by your group members are put onto a tea towel to be sold at your event.

CALENDERS

Why not have 12  photos from various events during the year and have them made into Calenders to sell or even one photo made into a sheet calendar. 

All of these fundraisers can be made and sold at your Christmas Fair or can be sold as individual fundraisers.

Santa's Journey

You will need;
Wall decoration of Santa and his Reindeer's
A large piece of paper
A Jar of Sweets or Chocolates or a Toy as a prize

Write down a number on a piece of paper on what you think the miles are that Santa travels on Christmas Eve
place it in a envelope.

Use a wall to put the wall decoration on and decorate it up to make the theme of Santa on his journey
.
The player then has a guess at how many miles they think Santa travels on Christmas Eve.
At the end of the event the one who picks the right answer or is the nearest wins the Prize.

It is all about the Fun!!

Snowball Throw

What you will need:

A Large drawing of a Snowman with 3 good size buttons drawn on

3 Foam balls

Double sided sticky velcro

Prizes

Place the Snowman on a wall and stick strips of velcro over the buttons.

On the foam balls place strips of velcro too.

The idea is to throw 3 balls and get them to stick to the buttons.

The prize can be for all three balls to stick or a smaller prize if just one or two stick.

Secret Present Stall

What you will need:

Lots and lots of little gifts 

Christmas wrapping paper

Gift tags,Ribbon,Lace.

Buy lots of small gifts some can be bought in packs and split. Buy for all ages. Buy presents that can be shared (Bars of chocolates for Mums and Dads) 

Before the event ask for donations of wrapping paper,ribbons.tags.

Make the stall in a corner and state NO ADULTS ALLOWED !!! 

The Children pay a £1 per gift and get to choose a present,and have it wrapped and tagged to take home and place under the tree .

Have a few helpers on hand to wrap and help with tagging.

A lovely Stall to just experience the excitement of the Children buying a gift for someone special x

That is why I always say be on the look out for bargain items all year round to use on stalls like this.