Episode summary

’Tis the season… to plan smarter. The Home Team swap holiday menu takes (turkey wars!) and then get practical about running fundraising events between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. From low-lift “open house” formats to creative themes and revenue add-ons, they break down how to cut through a crowded calendar, boost attendance, and tie event moments to year-end giving without turning it into a hard ask.

Who this episode is for

Fundraisers, event planners, and nonprofit marketers looking to host a December event, drive last-minute donations, and leave donors smiling (and subscribed).

In this episode (highlights)

• Why timing matters: avoid Thu–Sat nights; try Tue/Wed evenings or a Sunday matinee.
• A low-stress format that works: drop-in donor open house with light bites, festive vibes, and a short auction that can close later in the Handbid app.
• Theme ideas that actually draw a crowd: ugly-sweater social, outdoor movie night, après-ski/Northern Lights party, rooftop glow-night, karaoke, and more.
• Family-friendly revenue plays: gingerbread house contest with $1 per vote, “Taste-Of” sample stations with ticket voting, pay-to-play mini-games.
• Tree magic: themed Christmas tree auction (include delivery/setup/take-down in the package).
• Ticketing tactics: “Buy One, Gift One” to bring new faces; couples ticket with 2 comp tickets for first-time guests.
• Light-touch giving: giving tree / envelope wall; food or toy drive tie-ins; corporate match prompts via Handbid’s Double the Donation integration.
• Data with a purpose: capture emails—and actually follow up in January.

Actionable playbook

1. Pick the slot: Tue/Wed evening 6–8pm or Sun 2–4pm.
2. Choose a format: Open house + mini auction (mobile bidding stays open until Sun 5pm).
3. Anchor a theme (choose one):
   • Ugly Sweater Social at a brewery/warehouse
   • Holiday Movie Matinee (blankets, cocoa, popcorn)
   • Après-Ski / Northern Lights tent party
   • Rooftop Glow Night (DJ, light-up dance floor)
4. Add revenue stations:
   • Gingerbread Build-Off: $1 = 1 vote; team “bets” on winners
   • Taste-Of tables with vote tickets
   • Pay-to-play quick games; festive karaoke showdown
5. Spotlight one showcase lot: Themed Christmas tree with delivery, setup, and post-season removal.
   
   
6. Lower the ask, raise the match: Prompt employer match on every ticket/donation checkout.
   
   
7. Grow the list: Run “Buy One, Gift One” tickets for new-to-org attendees; collect email + SMS consent.
   
   
8. Aftercare: Schedule a warm “thanks + impact + match reminder” touch the first week of January.
   
   

Sample run-of-show (open house)

• 6:00p Doors + check-in | cocoa, cider, photo corner
• 6:15p Soft open of auction (mobile)
• 6:45p 5-minute welcome + impact story + match reminder
• 7:15p Gingerbread/Taste-Of voting closes
• 7:50p Raffle pull / tree auction highlight
• 8:00p Guests depart; auction remains open until Sun 5:00p for remote bidders

Ideas mentioned (quick list)

• Donor Open House (drop-in)
• Gingerbread House Contest ($1 votes)
• Taste-Of mini-bites with vote tickets
• Karaoke Showdown
• Outdoor Movie Night (Elf, Home Alone, Die Hard)
• Themed Tree Auction (with delivery/setup/take-down)
• Buy One, Gift One tickets (first-time guests)
• Giving Tree / Envelope Wall
• Food/Toy Drive add-on
• Corporate Match prompts at checkout

Resources & links

• Handbid (tickets, mobile bidding, checkout)
• Double the Donation integration for employer matches (in Handbid ticket/donation flows)

CTA

If you’re planning a December event or want to layer a mini-auction onto your year-end campaign, Handbid makes it easy to sell tickets, run mobile bidding, and capture matches—all in one place. Subscribe to Elevate Your Event for weekly, real-world tactics that raise more (and feel more fun).

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