# ideas for raffle prizes **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 31, 2017, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-raffle-prizes/805626 "2017-12-31T14:38:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-raffle-prizes/805626/1 "2017-12-31T14:38:26Z")
I have been tasked with making recommendations for raffle prizes for an upcoming event. Past prizes have been anything from “green egg” cookers, Yeti coolers, to modest flat screen TVs. That is, prices ranging up to $200. In addition to the ever popular gift cards, does anyone have any ideas for unique and well-received prizes? Personally, one can never go wrong with power tools, but that might not be a generally popular opinion. ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-raffle-prizes/805626/2 "2017-12-31T15:56:19Z")
Steam cookers seem to be a hot item right now. Here’s one: > **[Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker,...](https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Pot-Multi-Use-Programmable-Pressure/dp/B00FLYWNYQ)** > > Buy Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes App With Over 800 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 6 Quart at Amazon. Customer reviews and photos may be available to... They come in various price ranges, sizes, complexities. ---
**Author:** ![SurrenderDorothy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/surrenderdorothy/32/1221_2.png) [@SurrenderDorothy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SurrenderDorothy)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-raffle-prizes/805626/3 "2017-12-31T17:23:20Z")
Are we looking for single items or baskets? Bath/pampering baskets with soaps and salts and bath bombs tend to be popular. Movie night baskets with several DVDs, popcorn, candy, and possibly a gift card to the movies are, too. We always end up with a few variations on pet baskets because my charities are animal-related and sometimes we get donations of things like oven mitts with cat faces on them or books of recipes for dog treats. I would think most events wouldn’t need three dog baskets, but one “pet stuff” one might be nice. There’s always the old wheelbarrow of booze. Depending on the cause, local businesses will sometimes donate things. Museum memberships or events are fun (like our zoo has a behind-the-scenes tour thing) but depending on the setup, may not be as visually exciting and may need to be jazzed up with some trinkets (Like a stuffed tiger, t-shirt, fanny pack, water bottle). A basket with adult activity books like coloring books, sticker books, dot-to-dot books, maybe a paint by number kit and some colored pencils might be popular, depending on the audience. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-raffle-prizes/805626/4 "2017-12-31T17:36:27Z")
First, find out what you can get for free, or at least on the cheap. Plenty of retailers will kick in some products to be used as raffle prizes if the cause seems worthy. Small businesses will give out gift certificates to help drum up business, stores may have discontinued goods to donate. Once you exhausted that path you can use the money you have to pay for the popular prizes. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-raffle-prizes/805626/5 "2017-12-31T19:28:49Z")
Wal-Mart in my locale often donate raffle gifts to our yearly fundraising goals. Talk to the managers at the first of the month. They have limited petty cash for these things. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-raffle-prizes/805626/6 "2018-01-01T20:52:31Z")
thanks for the ideas. In fact, while a good deal is always welcome, this is a company event and they expect to pay for the prize. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-raffle-prizes/805626/7 "2018-01-01T21:17:27Z")
A pricey gift card to a well-thought-of local restaurant. ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2018, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-raffle-prizes/805626/8 "2018-01-02T00:01:14Z")
Perhaps high-ranking company officials could volunteer their time and/or services. Things like: - dinner with the CEO - the VP will wash your car - a round of golf with a big shot ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2018, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-raffle-prizes/805626/9 "2018-01-02T02:59:57Z")
> [@rbroome](#): > > thanks for the ideas. > In fact, while a good deal is always welcome, this is a company event and they expect to pay for the prize. Well then, buy giftcards, always a welcomed gift. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2018, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-raffle-prizes/805626/10 "2018-01-03T17:27:04Z")
The most popular raffle baskets at events I’ve attended lately are liquor and lottery tickets. Baskets full of scratch-off lottery tickets or upscale bourbon seem to be the most popular. ---
**Author:** ![DooWahDiddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@DooWahDiddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooWahDiddy)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2018, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-raffle-prizes/805626/11 "2018-01-03T18:36:28Z")
At the risk of self-promoting, I have a company that provides products for organizations to promote themselves with. Normally it’s things they can put their name and logo on (notepads, tote bags, pens, hats, etc.), but we can also do blank items. In addition to the inexpensive stuff, we have many high-priced things that might work for you; golf bags, briefcases, jackets, travel bags, etc. My contact info is in my profile, if you’d like to chat. Just a thought! ---
**Author:** ![keturah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e95f7d/32.png) [@keturah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/keturah)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-raffle-prizes/805626/12 "2018-01-05T06:27:58Z")
> [@rbroome](#): > > I have been tasked with making recommendations for raffle prizes for an upcoming event. Past prizes have been anything from “green egg” cookers, Yeti coolers, to modest flat screen TVs. That is, prices ranging up to $200 Green egg grills and yeti coolers are way more expensive than $200-are you sure you have a grasp on the parameters here? In that price dance I would include a classic leather coach handbag, a multifaceted small diamond right hand ring, a group of well chosen wines, or an iwatch or iPhone 8. ---
**Author:** ![keturah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e95f7d/32.png) [@keturah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/keturah)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-raffle-prizes/805626/13 "2018-01-05T06:39:37Z")
Not price dance-price range. ---
**Author:** ![keturah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e95f7d/32.png) [@keturah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/keturah)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-raffle-prizes/805626/14 "2018-01-05T06:48:42Z")
[https://m.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=41439246&KPID=18981730&cid=CAPLA:G:Shopping\_-\_Coolers\_and\_Jugs\_-\_Mobile&pla=pla\_18981730&k\_clickid=e76c39f1-7174-4116-969f-37d15d12035f&gclid=Cj0KCQiAvrfSBRC2ARIsAFumcm\_9rEMhf7LiAiax2gJ7yHVTkpZVLywLDVKOkZeUKAHBqXqFLFl7PbcaAuYtEALw\_wcB](https://m.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=41439246&KPID=18981730&cid=CAPLA:G:Shopping_-_Coolers_and_Jugs_-_Mobile&pla=pla_18981730&k_clickid=e76c39f1-7174-4116-969f-37d15d12035f&gclid=Cj0KCQiAvrfSBRC2ARIsAFumcm_9rEMhf7LiAiax2gJ7yHVTkpZVLywLDVKOkZeUKAHBqXqFLFl7PbcaAuYtEALw_wcB) Yeti cooler-$499 [Big Green Egg Prices for 2018](https://www.thespruce.com/big-green-egg-prices-335184) Big Green Egg- $849 ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-raffle-prizes/805626/15 "2018-01-05T07:04:24Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > First, find out what you can get for free, or at least on the cheap. Plenty of retailers will kick in some products to be used as raffle prizes if the cause seems worthy. Small businesses will give out gift certificates to help drum up business, stores may have discontinued goods to donate. Once you exhausted that path you can use the money you have to pay for the popular prizes. The Big Yearly Raffle in Pamplona gets all its gifts from local businesses; that includes retail, factories, and show tickets (you don’t get a show ticket, you get a raffle ticket that says “valid for two tickets at X theater before [date]”). While the OP has said it’s a company event, there may be businesses nearby which would be interested in a good deal if it includes good publicity. ---
**Author:** ![keturah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e95f7d/32.png) [@keturah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/keturah)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-raffle-prizes/805626/16 "2018-01-05T07:19:01Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > The Big Yearly Raffle in Pamplona gets all its gifts from local businesses; that includes retail, factories, and show tickets (you don’t get a show ticket, you get a raffle ticket that says “valid for two tickets at X theater before [date]”). While the OP has said it’s a company event, there may be businesses nearby which would be interested in a good deal if it includes good publicity. Yes, but he said specifically that the company paid for the raffle prizes. ---
**Author:** ![keturah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e95f7d/32.png) [@keturah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/keturah)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-raffle-prizes/805626/17 "2018-01-05T08:11:47Z")
Other ideas-6 months of lawn care or house cleaning from a reputable vendor. Blue apron or Hello Fresh delivery?