Raffles are a fantastic way to maximize your fundraising efforts. They pair well with almost any fundraiser you can think of, but what should you put in them if you want to sell tickets? Here’s a hint: the best raffle basket ideas for fundraisers aren’t random.
Organizing your raffle gift basket around a theme guarantees it will appeal to certain people. We’ve helped countless charities and nonprofit organizations conduct successful fundraisers, so we know which items attract attention and which don’t.
Here’s what you’ll find in the sections ahead:
- Key information about raffle baskets
- 10+ raffle basket ideas and themes
- How to source raffle basket items
- Raffle basket FAQs
What Is a Raffle Basket?
A raffle basket is a curated selection of items that helps raise money in a fundraiser. Offered within a raffle, a person can buy a ticket that will be entered into a draw. On the draw date, a winner of each raffle prize will be chosen.
How Raffles Impact Fundraising
Raffles are a popular fundraising activity, helping you raise more money for your cause. They can be held individually or alongside other fundraising efforts such as silent auctions and gala events.
However, a raffle’s impact depends on the types of raffle items you offer, including the quality of your raffle basket ideas and the excitement you can drum up for them.
Benefits of offering a raffle at your silent auction fundraiser include:
- Low-cost, high-return fundraising
- Attracts attention and engagement
- Generated unrestricted funds
- Broad audience appeal
- Easy to promote
- Encourages community involvement
- Quick to plan and run
- Boosts other fundraising efforts
Raffle Basket Themes
A themed raffle basket concentrates on a specific concept, such as golf. Themes can be broad or niche, including specific activities, like knitting, or broader concepts, like wellness.
Theme fundraiser basket ideas tend to be more successful than raffle prizes with lots of unrelated items (some of which may appeal, while others almost certainly won’t). Some ideas of themed baskets include:
- Self-Care
- BBQ
- Arts & Crafts
- Date Night
- Pet Lovers
- Travel
- Fitness
- Sports
- Cocktails
- Family Game Night
- Spa Day
- Movie Night
- Gardening Basket
- Picnic
Top 10 Raffle Basket Ideas
Wondering what to put in a raffle basket? These 10 raffle basket ideas will help you assemble the best baskets for your next event.
#10: Coffee or Tea Gift Basket
Most of us love a hot cup of something caffeinated to help us get up and go in the morning. Whether your supporters are tea lovers or coffee fanatics, they’re sure to appreciate a basket full of items that will enhance this essential morning ritual.
Elevate this idea: Go above and beyond by packing your basket with exotic brands supporters can’t buy at the local grocery store, or including one bigger-ticket item like a French Press!
Via Pinterest
#9: Bath Gift Basket
Everybody bathes (we hope), so why not give your audience the chance to pamper themselves during their shower or bath time? High-quality bath bombs and shower gels are excellent items for these baskets, and you might round them out with a few nice bars of soap or essential oils.
Elevate this idea: To increase the value of this raffle gift basket idea, consider adding a high-value item such as a trip to a local spa.
#8: Cocktail Gift Basket
Cocktail sets give your event attendees the opportunity to mix their favorite boozy beverages in the comfort of their own homes! Make sure these include a variety of small bottles of liqueurs and some tools for the job, like a muddler and a shaker.
It never hurts to pack a recipe book into a basket like this, so whoever wins the basket will have instructions on how to make the best use of their new toys! And with mocktails becoming increasingly more popular, you can substitute in the non-alcohol equivalents for an equally impressive basket.
Elevate this idea: If you can find a generous donor, add a bottle of premium liquor to increase the value of this raffle prize idea.
Via Pinterest
#7: Chocolate Gift Basket
For those with a sweet tooth, a gift basket full of chocolates is a delicious prospect. Instead of picking up your chocolates from the nearest convenience store, try to source the contents of a basket like this from high-quality, boutique chocolatiers in your local area.
Elevate this idea: To increase the value of this raffle basket idea even further and the number of tickets purchased, consider adding an experiential element, such as a chocolate-making class offered by a local chocolatier.
#6: Grooming Set Gift Basket
Razors, aftershave balms, skin creams, hair products, and other personal care items can all be bundled together in a basket that helps the winner look and feel their best.
Elevate this idea: To make a basket like this extra special, consider including a gift certificate to the barber, salon, or beauty shop that donated these items.
#5: Savoury Gift Basket
Lots of people recommend avoiding raffle basket ideas with savory food items, assuming they’ll go bad quickly. But there are ways you can still offer a savory basket and attract those who like premium meats and cheeses.
To do it, curate a basket with items such as fancy crackers and preserves, along with dry salamis and tinned pates.
Elevate this idea: To finish your basket, include a gift certificate to a local meat and cheese shop and a high-quality set of cheese knives or a charcuterie board.
Via The Bay
#4: Movie Night Gift Basket
While DVDs may be a thing of the past, enjoying movies at home is still a favorite family activity. Include monthly or annual subscriptions to streaming services such as HBO or Disney, along with fancy popcorn.
Cozy blankets and Squishmallows are also a great addition and will have kids begging their parents to buy tickets for this prize.
Elevate this idea: To seriously increase the allure of this raffle basket idea, include a projector so families can enjoy movies anywhere.
#3: Hobby Gift Basket
If your event appeals to an audience with specific interests, such as golf, fishing, or motorcycling, putting together a gift basket will be easy. Just source novelty items from a local shop that provides gear or equipment for these activities.
For example, a golf raffle basket may include:
- Premium golf gear: High-end balls, a rangefinder, or golf gloves.
- On-the-green treats: Insulated tumbler, gourmet snacks, cigar sampler with cutter and lighter.
- Course access extras: gift certificate to a top-tier golf course, private lesson with a local golf pro, or a gift card to a local driving range.
Elevate this idea: Make sure to include one bigger-ticket item (or a gift card) to function as the centerpiece of this raffle basket idea.
Via Pinterest
#2: Seasonal Gift Basket
Raffle basket ideas don’t have to be structured around a particular interest or hobby—they can also be based on a specific time of year! Fall and winter gift baskets might include some of the comfort items we’ve already mentioned above (like tea, chocolate, or blankets).
In contrast, spring and summer gift baskets might incorporate items that inspire more adventurous activities (cocktail items, kitchenware, outdoor experiences).
Elevate this idea: Whichever season you’re holding your fundraiser, we recommend adding an experiential component if you’d like to increase attraction and engagement. In winter, consider sleigh rides or ski lift tickets. In summer, horseback riding adventures or theme park tickets can seriously drum up excitement.
#1: Holiday Gift Basket
It’s worth remembering that December is the most popular month for giving, so a holiday-themed gift basket is ideal for your end-of-year fundraising events. For best results, try avoiding cheap items like dollar-store candy canes.
Instead, think outside the box and include items most people don’t already have at home or quality items they might usually skip out on. These may include:
Via Pinterest
- Gourmet treats, such as a holiday charcuterie board kit.
- Uncommon comforts, like weighted blankets, or essential oil diffusers with holiday scents.
- Hosting gear, like a mini fondue pot or cocktail smoking kit.
- Interactive holiday fun, such as premium advent calendars, a holiday baking workshop, or a cookie decorating kit.
Elevate this idea: To make this raffle basket idea feel truly high-value and unforgettable, include a wow-worthy item that adds luxury, exclusivity, or experience-based value. A hotel resort stay, wine tasting experience, custom-engraved wine glasses, or smart home items (like a high-end electric candle lighter) will increase attention and ticket sales.
How to Source Raffle Basket Items
The best raffle basket ideas are those that are tailored to your audience and explore creative themes. To source raffle basket items that will attract ticket sales, you’ll need to leverage your network to collect unique, desirable items. Here’s a plan to help you get started:
- Create a clear plan: Set a goal, decide on raffle basket themes, list what you need, and set a deadline for collecting donations. Tip: Make a short, 1-page overview to send to potential donors with event details and what you’re asking for.
- Write a donation request letter or email: Craft a friendly, professional letter that includes who you are, what you’re asking for, how the donations will be used, what’s in it for them, and how to donate. Bonus: Add testimonials or success stats from past fundraisers if you have them.
- Make a list of businesses to ask: With your crafted donation request letter, write a list of every business you can approach for donations. You can also reach out to friends, coworkers, or board members of your own company.
- Ask in person or by phone (when possible): Emails work fine, but showing up or calling makes it more personal. Bring your donation form and a flyer for your fundraiser, and be enthusiastic about your cause. If they say yes, follow up with a thank-you email and confirmation.
- Track all donations: Use a spreadsheet to record the donor’s name and contact information, what they donated, the basket it belongs in, the value of the item, and whether they need a donation receipt. Also, note whether their logo, signage, or promotional materials need to be included with the basket or event.
- Follow-up with gratitude: After the event, send a thank-you email or handwritten card, tag them on social media, and tell them how much you raised and how their donation helped.
Raffles & Silent Auctions: A Winning Combo
Holding a raffle on its own has many fantastic benefits, but combining it with a silent auction can help you drive more attention and engagement at your event and raise even more money for your cause. Juggling two fundraising activities can be a challenge, but the right fundraising software can help.
That’s where Bid Beacon comes in handy. Our silent auction app makes sourcing auction items easy, thanks to the Risk Free Item Shop. You can even use some of these items inside your raffle baskets to help increase their value.
Raise More with Bid Beacon
Bid Beacon has been maximizing fundraising efforts since 2018. We’ve seen what works and what doesn’t for fundraisers across thousands of organizations, and we have the data to prove it.
Together with Raffle Rocket, Bid Beacon can help your organization’s efforts go further while saving you time and hassle. Our user-friendly apps seamlessly integrate, providing an all-in-one fundraising hub backed by the support of our experienced team.
Want to learn more about how Bid Beacon can help make your fundraising efforts easier? Fill out our contact form and we’ll be in touch shortly!
Raffle Basket FAQs
What is the most popular raffle basket?
The best raffle prizes tend to include universally appealing themes with items people use, enjoy, or consider indulgent. Some include coffee lovers’ baskets and movie night baskets.
How to make a gift basket for a raffle?
To create an attractive raffle basket, you’ll want to think about presentation and basket contents. Pick a theme, a nice container (like a basket, box, or crate), select quality items, include a high-value item, and assemble it nicely.
How do you run a basket raffle?
To run a successful basket raffle, you should first gather donations for raffle items, create the baskets, promote the raffle, and sell tickets before drawing the winners on a set date. Once the winners have been picked, you’ll announce and deliver the prizes. Be sure to thank all of your participants and donors.
