Table Scape – School Auction Fundraiser

All photos courtesy of Jamie Starr Photography

I had the opportunity to co-chair this year’s annual auction fundraiser for our school.  The auction is a very important event, as it raises a significant amount of  money for our PTA each year.  Our goal is, of course, to make as much money as we can, so our event budget is very low.  My task was to create a cohesive party theme that seemed thought-out and put-together without breaking the bank.  The result was not fancy of course, but it was casual, easy-going and welcoming.

A metal cactus wrapped in lights greeted guests at the door and set the tone for a Texas-inspired night of “Bids and BBQ.”

Each table was set with a craft paper runner (a friend/principal at a neighboring school found rolls of this paper at her school- so it was free!!), mason jars (which I already had) filled with inexpensive flowers, a roll of paper towels (as our BBQ dinner napkins) and a card with our logo on the front (thank you to Alayna at Ruby Jewel Studio!) and our sponsors on the back (most of our BBQ was donated!).

The reserved tables were set with galvanized containers filled with different succulents.  I just raided my back porch and storage to avoid buying anything new.  And simple dowel rods held the reserved signs that I just printed on my own printer.

Auction goers enjoyed a BBQ buffet that was also set on tables with white tablecloths and a craft paper runner.  This divided Pepsi box I found for $3 at a flea market started the buffet line and held plastic flatware tied in raffia.

In the end, the auction was a success, and a  great time was had by all.  Setting the room was simple, easy and best of all, almost everything was reusable or recyclable!  The event looked great and very little money went to decor – which meant more for the great programs that our PTA puts on for our school!

LisaW

Lisa is a mother of three who works as a fashion and wardrobe consultant. As a former French and Latin teacher, the time she spent living in France has an ongoing influence on her style, both in fashion and interiors (she has the most comprehensive collection of plain white shirts you’ve ever seen!). She considers shopping a true hobby, a skill which was put to good use as she recently completed an addition and remodel of her family’s 1958 home in Midtown Tulsa. Throughout her home, you can recognize her emphasis on comfort with a few quirky touches that make it a true reflection of her family and their collective style. Lisa is old school and has yet to latch on to this whole “social media” phenomena

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