Members weigh in on the best Live Auction package they’ve seen at a charitable event!

Debbie Bocci, Hillsborough. Premium parking spot (right up front next to principal) at Menlo School…went for about $20,000, pretty clever I thought!

Shannon Cronan, San Francisco: Last year at the SF Ballet Fashion Show featuring Christian Lacroix there was a very special Live Auction package with front row seats at the Christian Lacroix Haute Couture show in Paris as well as hotel accommodations and a special cocktail reception hosted by Lacroix.  Coincidentally, my mother purchased the package and I went with her as her guest.  It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience!

Another great live auction package was at the Saks Save the Lake Fashion Show where the winner stayed at Oscar de la Renta’s home in the Dominican Republic.

MariLou Diamond, Portland.

1) The most expensive one I have seen was a dinner party as prepared by a celebrity chef with exquisite paired wines, all followed by live music; it was a very special evening. The donor does it every year. It has an incredible reputation and goes for a lot.

2) In Portland the packages that always generate the most interest and are anticipated and fun ALWAYS revolve around a University of Oregon football game.  It is either a package to the civil war game (between Oregon and Oregon State) with a party bus, a special tailgate party, box seats, special game ball, etc.  Or a charter flight to a special game or a bowl game, tickets, hotel, tailgate, shirts, hats, party the whole deal meal.

3) Every year at one Live Auction we attend they always auction off a puppy.  Everyone can not wait to arrive to see what breed it is that is being auctioned.  Someone carries it around with a big bow tied on its collar during the Silent Auction and then there is always fierce animated bidding during the Live Auction.

4)  I donated (with two other couples) a Greek night.  It generated so much fun bidding and went for a HUGE amount.  It was noted as a great Greek feast, by Greeks, yadda yadda, we had a whole lamb on a spit, we served all homemade time-consuming items, live Greek bouzouki music.  We gave out our Greek cookbook as favors, served Greek wine and then brought in the dance troupe to perform.  It was fun…a ton of work and cost on our end and I will NEVER do it again.

Keri dos Santos, Atlanta. Kids party at a nearby art studio for 8.  These always go at my childrens’ school for a lot.

Catherine Fischer, Berkeley. Something that really captures people’s imaginations.  At a Meals on Wheels event several years ago, a trip to New Orleans did really well.  I think it had some special perks such as access to places in New Orleans that not just anyone could get into.

It also makes a difference when the bidding is.  At this particular event, the Live Auction came after a few hours of wine tasting and people were much more free with their paddles!

Anne Marie Massocca, San Francisco. 1) Love the ones with airfare to Paris, stay at fancy hotel, and tickets to Paris fashion week.  That is the one I fantasize about buying but never do.

2) I would also bid on a celebrity chef whose food you love to have him/her cook for 14 people in his or her test kitchen.  I like these because you will actually can use it for a birthday or fun get together and people can buy as a group.

Andrea Moore, Hillsborough.  Most of the events I attend are school related (with three boys, not a big surprise). It’s those elusive items you cannot find just anywhere, like seats of your choice at your child’s graduation (I think those tickets went for about $1,500), batting practice with a major league baseball player (went for $8,000 at an Auction), attending a lecture of someone who is of note and having a private lunch or some other sort of get together with them before or after the lecture.

Sarah Holliman. Overall I think that a once-in-a-lifetime experience is the best kind of auction item (i.e., a walk-on part in the next Harry Potter movie, coupled with airline tickets to where it is being filmed, etc.). At my childrens’ elementary/middle school, this also translates into parties and trips…we are co-hosting a “Motown Madness” party that 15 couples bought at a price of $650 each. And we were one of 12 families who paid $1,100 each for a men’s biking trip to Napa (they rode 100 miles and hung out in a great house all weekend–massages, meals, etc.). I know that this is somewhat unique and not universally appreciated in other auctions, but “sharing the cost” is a good way to get a decent amount of revenue for the school without breaking any one pocketbook.

What about you? What is the best or most clever Live Auction package you’ve seen at a charitable event? (Please share in the Comments section below)