We're going to try and expand our raffle section for our May tournament.

What are your favorite raffle things? Worst ideas? hot ticket items? or "everyone does that" blahs.


We're really trying to expand beyond dog stuff - maybe a new crock-pot, kids-based items, etc.

Stuff from my shop (sorry, just being obnoxious)

Raffle stuff I've liked and used:

crate fans, chocolate, dog toys, my teammates won a quilt and were excited about it, tennis balls, expensive dog treats. The bowls and baskets that hold the stuff.

Stuff I avoid:

"cutsie dog stuff." If it has I (heart) border collies or I (heart) dogs, or I (heart) anything, actually, I actively avoid it. Western art. Big stuff that doesn't fit in a packed car for the ride home. Bags of dog food.

Things which might be nice:

Chocolate, booze (if legal to raffle in your area and not to hard core) high end hot chocolate mixes, gift certificates to chain stores likely to be in the places participants live(starbucks, etc), camping gear that doubles as flyball gear (small portable grills, folding chairs, folding tables, ez ups, etc. Small pretty things (of course, I'm a girl, guys may not agree) like candle holders, paperweights, etc. Stuff unique to your area of the country, like maybe donations from local businesses - candy from the candy factory, wine from the winery, apples from the apple orchards, paint touch up bottles from the car dealer, chile, cheese, ceramic figurines, whatever is local to your area that I wouldn't see unless I was there. Small electronics are always nice, but expensive. Stuff geared toward the junior handlers is good - I saw backpacks, coloring books, paints and craft supplies at a recent tournament. Paperback books in the common genres (romance, sci-fi, mystery - especially if the author is originally from your area or the book is set in your area). Books on tape for the ride home. Certificates from the event photographer.

I don't know, maybe someone else has better suggestions.

I second the booze thing...lol. I know you said you wanted to get away from dog items but I think people really do like the big dog beds and crates. We do a mix of items. Nice loungechairs are a big hit. The problem with local gift certificates is ease of use for those who travel. If they are for large chain stores then it works better. A free entry to next years tournament. Gas cards.