Need Ideas For A Silent Auction Cake.

Decorating By ecb8r2 Updated 1 Nov 2013 , 9:02pm by hbquikcomjamesl

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ecb8r2 Posted 1 Aug 2013 , 3:37pm
post #1 of 19

So I'm going to donate a cake for a silent auction...what theme/design would make you want to spend lots of money? I was thinking maybe a barrel or crate with a bottle of wine. My sister suggested something fall themed, since it's in November. Any other ideas of something that would be eye catching and gender neutral?

18 replies
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bct806 Posted 2 Aug 2013 , 12:01am
post #2 of 19

What is the silent auction for? A fundraiser, a charity event, etc. 

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BatterUpCake Posted 2 Aug 2013 , 1:13am
post #3 of 19

everyone seems to love the crab bushel cake with the box of Old Bay seasoning...

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Sassyzan Posted 2 Aug 2013 , 1:30am
post #4 of 19

AA tree trunk with fall leaves and acorns

A realistic pumpkin

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ecb8r2 Posted 3 Aug 2013 , 5:42am
post #5 of 19

thanks

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ecb8r2 Posted 3 Aug 2013 , 5:46am
post #6 of 19
Quote:
Originally Posted by bct806 

What is the silent auction for? A fundraiser, a charity event, etc. 

It's a benefit for a guy who was in a really bad car accident...the family/friends are trying to raise money to help pay medical bills

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Annabakescakes Posted 3 Aug 2013 , 6:06am
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AYou have to remember that people don't buy cakes without an occasion to celebrate! It is hard to get most people to pony up the dough when their child is graduating, or having a birthday, or even a grandchild.

What are these big spenders supposed to doing with this big cake? Invite 40-50 of their closest friends over, spur of the moment to celebrate the occasion of a big purchase? Who does that? And it sounds weird, and sort of like something people don't do, right?

My suggestion would be to make 1 or 2 each of a few 8" desset cakes. Make them amazing, but not too exotic, so lots of people want them. Classics. Tiramisu, yellow with chocolate, white with strawberry, chocolate with cookies and cream, red velvet cream cheese, and such. Whatever your specialties are.

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DeliciousDesserts Posted 3 Aug 2013 , 11:09am
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AI've done this twice. Both times the cake didn't do well. $40-50 for cakes that would have been about $200. Anna's right....unless its a cake walk, it's kinda weird.

Now, I send gorgeous photos. Maybe even a few cake dummies. Auction a gift certificate. That will being more money because they can plan for an awesome cake.

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BatterUpCake Posted 3 Aug 2013 , 11:09am
post #9 of 19

Well a barrell or a bottle of wine is not a huge cake. When I was doing woodworking I donated a set of cornhole boards to one of these and they sold for $300 when they are valued at $175. People are more generous when it is for charity (and usually drinking) I agree don't do any huge cakes but your original ideas will sell well, depending on the income level of the crowd. But whatever it goes for it is a good cause and you are very sweet to do it.

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bct806 Posted 3 Aug 2013 , 3:55pm
post #10 of 19
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeliciousDesserts 

I've done this twice. Both times the cake didn't do well. $40-50 for cakes that would have been about $200. Anna's right....unless its a cake walk, it's kinda weird.

Now, I send gorgeous photos. Maybe even a few cake dummies. Auction a gift certificate. That will being more money because they can plan for an awesome cake.

 I completely agree with this one. I did a big fundraiser for someone with brain cancer and someone donated a cake. No one wanted to buy tickets and no one wanted to buy the cake itself. At the end of the day, we just gave it to the woman we did the fundraiser for. Gift certificates are a much better and less time consuming option. They always do well and people can use them when needed. You could always make a cake for the event so people can try your cake and spark interest in the gift certificate. 

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BatterUpCake Posted 3 Aug 2013 , 3:59pm
post #11 of 19

Good idea...maybe have a portfolio so they can see your awesome cakes.

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ecb8r2 Posted 8 Aug 2013 , 11:26pm
post #12 of 19
Quote:
Originally Posted by bct806 

 I completely agree with this one. I did a big fundraiser for someone with brain cancer and someone donated a cake. No one wanted to buy tickets and no one wanted to buy the cake itself. At the end of the day, we just gave it to the woman we did the fundraiser for. Gift certificates are a much better and less time consuming option. They always do well and people can use them when needed. You could always make a cake for the event so people can try your cake and spark interest in the gift certificate. 

I was planning on doing a cake and also having a few gift certificates as well. I just want to make the cake eye catching and show off what I can do so that the certificates will do well.

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jpccs Posted 8 Aug 2013 , 11:32pm
post #13 of 19

I agree with the idea of the gift certificate, and you should definitely make a dummy cake so the can see how amazing your cakes are also. 

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yortma Posted 9 Aug 2013 , 1:53am
post #14 of 19

I agree, not many people would need a cake on the spot, but many can think of an upcoming event for which they are going to have buy a cake.   I have done a number of silent auctions, where the item up for bids is a custom cake to be made at a future date.   An album with some of my cake photos is displayed. Sometimes I have cookies or cupcakes for sale as samples (the money goes to the charity).  A dummy cake would probably be very impressive, too, but I have not done that.   Also displayed is a printed sheet with the details.  It states the maximum number of servings, the maximum number of tiers, expiration date, disclaimer that not all dates may be available, and also the maximum distance that I will deliver.  I also establish the starting bid (usually 75.00) with the organizers so that it will be worth the effort, and I won't be making a cake for 10.00.  (The value of the cake can be taken as a donation on your taxes so get a receipt).  If no one bids, then you are off the hook. Several times a cake was paid for and never even claimed. For a  40 serving max cake the donations have been 125.00 -  150.00, and usually the cake does not need to be that big.   I enjoy doing it because it helps a good cause, and I may get to do a cake design that my own circle of family and friends would not request (I am a hobby baker).  

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scrumdiddlycakes Posted 9 Aug 2013 , 3:31am
post #15 of 19

I've only ever done one, but I did a voucher/certificate for up to a certain amount, (it was a cause that's extremely important to me, so I made sure it was worth enough to cover a large wedding cake). I also contributed to the catering, which meant people could taste my baking, and that seemed to be a big help. I highly doubt it would have gone for what it did if people hadn't been able to taste.

So the samples idea would be a good one, as long as the auction allows it.

 

The lady who ran the auction said it did better than anytime they had sold an already-made cake. That had nothing to do with me being any better than the other baker that previously donated, she was pretty amazing, it was just an easier option for people.

It ended up going for 110% of what the certificate actually was, she said usually the pre-made ones went for maybe 50% of what they were worth.

I didn't do a dummy, good idea though if you have one on hand, I just had a portfolio there.

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BatterUpCake Posted 9 Aug 2013 , 9:40am
post #16 of 19

I paid $30 for a cherry pie at auction once many many years ago. I was so excited to eat it...left the room and came back and my large puppy pulled it off the counter and devoured the whole thing. Bad puppy icon_cry.gif

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ecb8r2 Posted 1 Nov 2013 , 7:29pm
post #17 of 19

Fall themed cake that I'm donating to a silent auction...everything is made out of cake :) First time airbrushing too.

Here is the cake that I ended up making...the silent auction is tomorrow, hope it sells ok. I'm also donating a couple of coupons. I just wanted something there for them to look at so they know the kind of work that they would be buying. Thanks everyone for the suggestion! :-D

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Sassyzan Posted 1 Nov 2013 , 7:45pm
post #18 of 19

AVery nice! Looks great on that platter!

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hbquikcomjamesl Posted 1 Nov 2013 , 9:02pm
post #19 of 19

I agree. Nice work. Far more ambitious than anything I've ever done (even the shortbread cookies I made in the likeness of ink-stained wood display type, last year).

 

This is the first I've seen of this thread; if I'd seen it earlier, I'd have suggested something along the lines of "MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark, all the sweet green icing's flowing down . . ."

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