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          Repentance, A Gift From God           

                     Can you ever get “holy” or good enough to come to God? This is not the definition of repentance. Repentance does not mean that “you change your ways and get good enough to be saved”. Repentance means you change your mind about your sin and need for the Savior. If you’ve reached a point in which you feel a calling to be saved, and you’re sorry for the sin in your life, that’s repentance. Of course, repentance is absolutely necessary for salvation; you must first feel the need for the Savior before you can come to the Savior. The need you feel is repentance. You drink water because you’re thirsty, you eat bread because you’re hungry, you come to Jesus because of your desire for righteousness, your need for help in your sinful condition, your desire to get right with your Creator, this is repentance. 
                       

                     Repentance does not come from within yourself, it simply can’t because people are totally depraved. (Jeremiah  17:9  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?)  The human heart, because of the fall of man and our sinful nature ruling our very being, could never come to God in repentance. Repentance is a gift from God. (2 Timothy 2:25  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;) God is the One who induces repentance, that is being sorry for our sin and our need for a Savior. 
                     

                     Many people seem confused about the fact that salvation from start to finish, comes from God. The Bible teaches God through His grace gives us repentance, faith and righteousness, and these three equal salvation. (God induces repentance, God gives faith in Jesus, repentance plus faith equal the free gift of righteousness). Sometimes these three elements come all at once, in an instant. For some people they come at a slower pace, but either way, salvation is achieved. Some come to God with such sorrow that emotions such as sobbing and crying are manifest, while others have absolutely no emotions. All people have different personalities and characteristics, and emotions play no role in repentance or salvation. Emotions, in fact, can sometimes be misleading. Salvation is achieved through faith, and faith is not made valid through emotions, as  all people are different.
                     

                      Some may know the exact date of their repentance and salvation, others do not. For some salvation comes in an instant, while for others, it is a process, and they don’t know the exact time and date when they put their total trust in Jesus Christ, they just know they have. 
                     Note that the gifts from God are given freely of Him. A person can still refuse to accept the gifts. In other words, God induces repentance, but it is up to the individual to heed to the inducement of God. 
                     Just as a  sculpture uses harsh tools to make a piece of stone into a work of art, so sometimes God may bring tragedy in our life to bring us to repentance. God loves all men. God created all men to spend eternity with Him.    
(2 Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.) 
       

                 If you feel a need for the Savior, Jesus Christ, that is God dealing with you through repentance, you must then accept the gift of faith, and put that faith totally in Jesus, then righteousness is added to your account, thus making you saved! Then the Spirit of God indwells you and begins the process of sanctification, or conforming you into the image of Christ. First you get saved, THEN the Holy Spirit, works on battling your old nature. 

Gospel Revival Outreach Ministries

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Source by Evangelist Tim Hill

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During a basketball game, people commonly shout the word “DEFENSE!”. Come to think of it, do people in the stadium really know the meaning of the word? Does the basketball team, players and coaches, understand the meaning of the word? Is the value and importance of the word defense recognized? Sometimes basketball players themselves take it for granted. Everyone should remember that it is as important as scoring. A closer look at playing basketball defense is done in this article to clearly stress the meaning and importance of the word DEFENSE.

Defense is the team which doesn’t have the ball. Defense is also the act of protecting the basket and making it impossible for the offense, which is the team who has ball, to score. It can be considered as a state of mind which dictates the body to do measures to keep the other team from scoring. It is the “get the ball” attitude that fuels the defensive team along with the desire to win. Defensive skills can be taught and learned as long as the player puts his heart in it and realizes its importance in every basketball game.

Transition Play

Moving from offensive to defensive play should be done quickly. Defensive assignments should be set as soon as the basketball gets out of the team’s hands so the offensive team can’t get ahead. The mentality of the players at this point should be to get the ball back immediately. 

Purpose

Put the offensive team under a lot of pressure. Don’t let the other team peak through an open shot or an open man. Guard every player and every corner and be aware of the moves and observe the play of the offensive team. Distract the ball handler through noises and movements so the communication between the offensive players will be disturbed. Put those arms up and use the body to block the ball handler’s view. Decrease the chances of giving them opportunities to establish their team play. Keep your eyes open for rebounding and ball stealing opportunities and get the ball back! Stay between the basket and the offensive player.

Be Ready

Keep the lead hand close to the ball and wave the other hand to prevent a pass from taking place. The defense player’s opposite foot of the offense player’s dominant hand should always be kept forward with the same hand extended out with the palms up. This will allow an easy steal if an opportunity comes.

There are three types of defense: the man on man defense, the zone defense and the combination of the two, which is the Box 1 defense. Man to man defense is the simplest and most common among the defenses. One player is assigned to guard a specific player of the offensive team at all times. For example the point guard of the defense team guards the point guard of the offensive team. Match-ups are determined based from the player’s height, speed and athletic ability.

Man to man defense is an aggressive style that allows forced steals and puts every offensive player under a lot of pressure. The danger of this style of defense is that when the offense player outsmarts the defense player, there will be no defense player to help continue to screen the ball because everybody else is preoccupied with guarding their own man. These results in the outnumbering of offense players versus the defense players which can help make the offense score.

In zone defense, each player is assigned to cover a specific area or zone instead of one player. There are many kinds of zone defenses. These are usually listed with numbers wherein the numbers correspond to the number of players in a particular zone. A 2-3 zone defense for example indicates that there should be two players manning the area near the three point line and three players manning the baseline. More often than not, a zone defense is limited to the key or the painted area.

There are some instances when a man to man defense and a zone defense is simultaneously put into effect. A box-1 defense for example generally is a type of zone defense where four of the players man their respective areas around the key. The fifth player, usually a guard, is assigned to guard a specific player on the opposing team, playing him in a man to man type of defense.

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Source by Jason Richards

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It is very common nowadays to celebrate the purchase of a new home with friends and family by having a housewarming party. For the host, this could mean gifts and presents but to the invitee, it could pose a headache as you ponder what to buy. How much should you spend? Will they already have it? Will someone else bring it? It’s very easy just to take a bottle of wine. However, there are many housewarming gift ideas which make great alternative presents. Whether you are a casual acquaintance or know these friends intimately, you can be unique with your gift giving. This article highlights some great ideas which I hope you will find useful.

The most common and easiest option is to take a bottle of wine. However, you can be different with your housewarming gift by choosing other wine related gifts such as coasters and wine ID tags. These are both unique and will definitely be put to use now or in the future. If you are willing to shop around, there are many funky and interesting coasters and wine tags available.

Picture frames are also very common housewarming gifts. To some, picture frames may seem boring and too predictable. You could consider personalized popart. These are unique, classy and thoughtful gifts and are guaranteed to stand out. Personalized art can be expensive. However, there are many different types of personalized art from Silhouettes to Retropop art that are less pricey. Sizes can also make a big difference to the price. So with careful searches, you will be able to find a personalized gift to suit your budget. Another idea to bear in mind when cost is an issue is to contribute to a group housewarming present whether it is for a co-worker or a friend.

Home décor gifts are also very popular but be careful especially when you are not sure if the gift will fit into the whole scheme and taste of the new home. Certain items such as candles are considered safe. However, mood glow candles are more interesting than traditional candles. Furthermore, why not take some home products that are bound to be welcomed and used such as olive oil, organic soaps, coffee or teas. If the host loves gardening, fix up a gift basket of seeds of his or her favorite veggies or flowers and throw in some gardening tools and gloves.

Some people like to send flowers. I would prefer a gift basket of some sort. A selection of his or her favorite chocolates, fruits or goodies would make a nice housewarming gift. At least you can be sure that your gift will be enjoyed for a few more days longer.

Finally, if you are unsure what to get, why not get a Gift Certificate from his or her favorite store or even from a gift shop where they can spend towards buying gifts. If they like to wine and dine, why not get a dinner for 2 at a hip restaurant in the neighborhood or if they like to cook, a cook book with a personal message would make a very meaningful housewarming gift.

Don’t be afraid to be a little creative and adventurous with your gift ideas and give them a gift that will always make them smile and think of you!

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Source by Alice Duong

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The holidays are right around the corner, so now is the best time to begin thinking about those all important gift ideas.
It has become hard to stay in touch with loved ones, as friends and family move all over the country and across the world, making it more difficult every year to show the ones you care for how much they mean to you.
So what can you do this holiday season to show how much you care for them? What are some holiday gift ideas you can send to friends and family to truly show your affection?
The key with every holiday gift you send is to have your own personal touch added to it. Consider what kind of people they are, and what they would love to have during the holiday season.
As families grow every year, the best idea might be to send a gift that they would all enjoy instead of searching for those individual gifts. This will definitely save you time and money.
One idea is to arrange for friends and family to have a personal photo shoot. It is not hard to arrange a sitting with a professional photographer in the area, and all it takes is for them to arrange to best time for them to attend the sitting.
This is a great idea especially for loved ones that you do not often get the chance to see, as they can send you a copy so you can admire how much they have grown since the last time you met.
For people who love following traditions during the holiday season, a fantastic holiday gift to consider is an ornament box.
This wooden storage box would look perfect during the holiday season and is a great way to keep a family’s holiday ornaments safe and sound when not in use, and every year you have send different ornaments to fill the box and so they will have the perfect gift every time they are decking the halls.
But the best idea to ensure that every single family member truly enjoy your holiday gift is to send to them a holiday gift basket.
There is a wide range of holiday gift baskets that can be professionally prepared and sent right to their door. So now the only question you need to ask is what type of gift basket should you send?
Gift baskets can cater the whim of every single family member, from the chocolate-lovers to the nut aficionados and everyone in-between. Gift baskets are the ideal way to say Season Greetings to the people you care for.
The best part about gift baskets is that you can make sure everyone can enjoy their own personal part of the gift without you having to spend much time and money purchasing individual gifts.
But the most important thing about holiday gifts to remember is that they are designed to come from the heart.
Seriously consider what the people you care for would really love this holiday season, and with a little time and effort it will not be long until you can find the perfect gift that they will love and remember year round.

Viviana Andris is the owner of Amor Gift Baskets, which features numerous gift ideas including holiday gift baskets. Find out more by visiting http://www.amorgiftbaskets.com
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Source by Groshan Fabiola

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In our harried and hectic lives, it’s sometimes hard to justify taking time and spending money to treat ourselves to a little pampering. And that’s exactly why giving a gift of stress reducing self-indulgence is a perfect gift option for almost any occasion.

Of the millions of gift baskets given each year, spa gift baskets top the list as the most popular of all. It’s easy to see why. It’s hard to go wrong when offering complimentary R & R to someone special who deserves a little indulgent pampering.

Spa gift baskets can be general in nature, or may focus on a particular type of pampering. Use any of the five spa gift basket ideas below as options that will be sure to please:

Pampered Hands Spa Basket – Pretty much everyone uses and abuses their hands on a daily basis. To make those hands “pampered hands,” consider a gift basket that features an array of softening and soothing hand care items. Include items like moisturizing gloves, a nail brush, nail buffer, cuticle cream, and hand moisturizer. For an added touch, include a gift certificate for a professional manicure.

Bathe in Luxury Spa Basket – Turn an ordinary bath into a luxurious and relaxing experience. Include French milled soap, a loofah sponge, scrubbing mitten, Dead Sea bath salts, inflatable bath pillow, and spa quality bath towel. Add a body candle for ambiance while soaking and to use for moisturizing the body after a relaxing bath.

Grace Your Face Spa Basket – Bring a smile to any face with this pampering gift. Include a relaxing hot / cold eye mask, mud mask facial treatment, exfoliating scrub, day and night moisturizing cream, a terrycloth head band, and natural lip balm.

Treat Your Feet Spa Basket – Treat the tootsies to luxurious spa pampering. Possible inclusions could be a pumice stone, toe separator, nail polish, pedicure file, foot roller, moisturizing socks, and foot massage cream. A gift certificate for a pedicure would be an added treat.

Body Bliss Spa Basket – Give a special somebody a gift that anybody would love. Include exquisite French milled soap, a bath brush and massager, relaxing hot / cold eye mask, bubble bath, pumice stone, moisturizing body massage candle, and spa quality Egyptian cotton robe and towel.

Where do you find such baskets? Check local gift basket services or search for spa gift baskets online. You’ll find a wide variety of excellent options. Even better, make the basket uniquely your own by creating it yourself. Shop for bath and body items locally, or visit online retailers.

To make your spa gift basket extra special, select items that are slightly unusual. Select products that are hand-made, or those that are found in specialty boutiques. Hand selecting your gift basket contents with your recipient in mind will make your gift truly unique and especially appreciated.

Regardless of whether you select a ready-made spa gift basket, or one you create yourself, you will be giving a gift that is sure to please. May both you and your recipient enjoy less stress . . . and more pampering!

© 2007 Karen Loye Porter. All rights reserved worldwide. Reprint rights: You are welcome to reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, give author credit, and include the resource and bio information in its entirety.

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Source by Karen Loye Porter

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The joy that Christmas time brings is never more evident than when discovered through the eyes of a child. Supposing you are a mother or father, then you maybe acknowledge how much this holiday signifies to the children in your life. To bring this experience to the next level, it is simply natural to choose to admit your children in more sides of the holiday.

A natural manner to begin your holiday decorating is with the Christmas tree. Almost every home has one and it quickly becomes the center point for your holiday festivities. You can try a few hand-crafted decorations created by you and your kids. It is very simple to get started; ornaments can be made out of any material that you have at home. If you wish an easier means to begin, then consider searching for a premade decoration that simply requires a bit decoration.  Add shiny items and some markers and you have pleasant handmade decorations that will make your house lovelier than ever.

Another popular decorating method in many houses are Christmas themed photos and signs. Your children can simply draw several Christmas themed pictures such as reindeer, Santa Claus or only a precious wintertime landscape. These photos add personality and warmth to your Christmas decor. If your children are older, let them explore their ingenuity with paint while the younger ones will have a lot of good time with washable markers or crayons. You can take those images and put it anyplace in your house or go for the tried and true location on the icebox. This project is great because it won’t cost you a lot, if anything, because all of these products are mainly already at home.

Because there will be man Christmas activities near the dining-room table, you can create a splendid centerpiece for the table with your kids. You can buy silk flowers and a basket and miniature Christmas tree decorations and ribbons. Have your children’s inventive juices flow and discover what they come up with. Whenever you have many hands to keep busy, try mini-decorations that can sit at each table setting. A silk flower, some ribbon and a Christmas decoration or poem are all it takes to produce handsome place settings. The ideas are infinite.

Decorating for the holidays can well turn into a family custom.

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Source by Holly Day

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Copyright (c) 2010 Albert Street LLC

Why is soy candle making popular? More and more people are choosing them over paraffin candles as they don’t emit Carbon Dioxide and is generally safe for the environment. Soy candles are the healthiest types of candles you can make — they burn smoke-free, they are hypoallergenic, and best of all they are great for the planet! Needless to say, soy wax is a cheaper and all-natural alternative, which is said to be easier to work with than paraffin.

Soy Wax – its key component – is a recent discovery. In the early 1990s, a man named Michael Richards was on a quest for a cost-effective alternative for beeswax. This prompted him to create soy wax. During the early 90’s there was a big inflow of demand for natural wax candles, but beeswax was significantly more expensive (10x more) than paraffin. Michael began testing different natural waxes from plants and finally ended up with a vegetable type which had partially hydrogenated soy oil, coconut oil and palm oil as key components. Finally, Michael became successful in replacing beeswax and paraffin with soy in 1996. Ideally, these kinds of candles are created by mixing wax with fragrance and dye. These candles have certain advantages over Paraffin Candles

Here are the 3 main reasons why you should go for soy candle making supplies:

1. Soy wax candles are inexpensive

It’s a natural wax – Soy have a longer lifespan – Wax spills are easy to remove with soap and water – It gives out less soot – Scented soy gives out more flavor

2. Making soy candles can be a very fulfilling hobby.

As you establish your own candle making business, you will soon discover how simple it is to create candles using soy wax. Soy candle making supplies are readily available online or in the hobby shops in your area. We will explore the step – by – step process in making this type of candles.

3. They make awesome gifts.

Let your creative side go wild! You can choose to pair some soy candles along with other candle making supplies, wrap it with a few soaps and towels placed in a basket — and you have a fantastic-looking gift!

For the materials, the following listed below are what you will need:

1. A pound of soy wax 2. 1 mason jar 3. An ounce of fragrance oil 4. Wax dye 5. 1 Cotton wick (e.g. HTP – 105) 6. Candle Thermometer

Here are the Top 5 Tips in Making Soy Candles

1. Choosing your soy wax – This wax generally comes in two varieties: Block and flake form. Choose the flake form.

2. Get to know soy candle fragrances better – The secret to making a good soy candle is to use your own special batch/mix of fragrances. The fragrance of your choice needs to be compatible with soy wax. On an estimated scale, you will need an ounce of fragrance oil per 16 ounces of soy wax.

3. Understanding Wax – Dyes Dyes come in various types. You can choose to use dye blocks which will easily blend with soy. The other ones are concentrated liquids and dye chips.

4. Choosing the appropriate soy wax candle wicks – Of course, your wick must be thicker as the candle’s diameter increases.

5. Choosing the right soy wax candle containers – The container to be used for making these candles depends on the appearance/look one wants to achieve. If you want country look, you can choose/use a Jason jar. Use dry, germ free containers for your soy candles, and place it at room temperature.

The process:

In a pan put the soy wax and slowly heat on medium temperature until completely melted. Remove from heat. – Add the fragrance oil and mix it thoroughly until such time everything settles in with the soy wax. As a good option, you can choose to blend in wax dye – Put in the melted wax inside the container and place the wick at the center. A clothespin or pencil is ideal in making sure that your wick stays in the center. – Upon turning solid you can trim the wick by or to 1/2 inch – Enjoy your soy candle!

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Source by bigalclub

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There’s been an ongoing battle of wits between you and a friendly rival.  And now there’s an opportunity to give a 50th birthday gag gift to that certain someone.  What to do? 

Well, you know full well that it’s now your turn to take the offensive.  This is a chance on a silver platter to gain points on the battle of humor scorecard.  It’s a time to take an innocent yet clever jab at that person.  A poke that’s harmless – yet has a dash of good natured ribbing.  

So you must think about getting a 50th birthday gag gift somewhere between two extremes.  And that’s in the middle of a cruel cheap shot … and the typical limp, pansy-worded greeting card.  What could be the solution that would send a message with your own unique brand of comedy? 

There are available “Over the Hill” Birthday Gift Baskets out there that would say it all without you saying a thing.  Yes, these weapons of comicality can be your strategy to fulfill your mission to get the advantage in the competitive game of roasting among friends or family. 

They are the happy middle-ground that you are seeking between the weak and downright mean alternatives.  And they contain items that all have the theme of jesting about the big “Five-O” event.  That means that all of the shopping for these components has been done for you.  The tasty treats and souvenirs are all in one classy container ready to go! 

Another great thing about these 50th birthday gag gifts is that they are so easy to shop for, purchase, and have delivered to anywhere within the continental USA.  How so? 

The internet is the way to go through our friends known as Search Engines.  They can lead us to a wide selection of ideas to consider in our quest to get the right “Over the Hill” Gift Basket that’s within budget.  And we can also direct our choice of gift to be delivered to a certain place and at a certain time.  That includes overnight delivery, if needed. 

Now anyone can be well-armed in their mission to get the upper hand in the duel between two joker contestants.  An “Over the Hill” Gift Basket could be the 50th birthday gag gift that would rank at the top among everyone else’s.  And it could be set up for delivery online in the next 10 to 15 minutes.  How can you beat that scenario of effectiveness and efficiency? 

So take advantage of this opportunity while you still have the chance.  That’s because you know that the target of your aim would surely do the same if given half a chance!   

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Source by Brian Connors

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Spring has sprung, Easter is just around the corner. One of the most celebrated holidays is Easter and part of the reason why this holiday is loved is the food associated with it. If you are hosting an Easter dinner with your friends or family this year, here are some good tips for some delicious Easter recipes.

Maple Syrup Ham and Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows

One of the most requested types of food to eat at Easter is ham and you can sweeten up the taste of it by adding some tasty maple syrup. While your store bought maple syrup should work, try to purchase maple syrup that is 100% pure and not made from corn syrup. Adding pure maple syrup will add a sweet, delicious taste that your friends and family will love.

You can easily accompany your maple syrup ham with some tasty sweet potatoes smothered in miniature marshmallows. Sweet potatoes will be your maple syrup ham’s best friend. For an extra treat, add miniature marshmallows and you will definetly get some smiles from children and adults alike.

Easter Bunny Cookies

Even though chocolate bunnies are pivotal to Easter, cookies can also be an excellent treat. Just like Christmas cookies are fun to make and yummy to eat, so are Easter Bunny cookies. Most grocery stores, discount stores, and craft stores sell Easter Bunny cookie cutters to make your favorite chocolate chip or sugar cookie into some fantastic Easter Bunny shapes.

Easter Egg Cup Cakes

Easter Egg cup cakes are an awesome way to add enthusiasm to the holidays for your children. Easter Egg Cupcakes are an easy and fun way to bring color to any Easter dinner dessert. Instead of using cup cake holders, try to use small waffle cones to hold your cup cake mixture. Once baked, add coloring, sprinkles, candy, etc. to your creation.

Easter Bunny Carrot Cake

Easter Bunny carrot cake is an awesome way to add color and excitement for the whole family. What goes better with bunny rabbits than carrots and a yummy carrot cake goes with any Easter dinner. You can easily purchase a carrot cake and decorate the top by hand. Many people create their own frosting adding food coloring to color the carrot cake to look like an Easter egg.

Easter Cocktails

For those adults that like to top off their dinner with a delicious alcoholic beverage, there are many colorful cocktails that compliment the mood of any Easter dinner. For example, certain liquors come in various colors such as grenadine for rose, blue Curacao for cerulean and mixing clear liquor with assorted fruit juices for multicolored Easter drinks. For those that prefer a cocktail sans the alcohol, it’s easy to add color to your event with a host of fresh fruit smoothies, just by adding fresh fruit with cream or milk. Some people even add some yogurt to the mix.

If you are looking for a great way to enjoy your Easter this year, follow the above Easter recipes.

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Source by Christine Steendahl

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There is nothing more frustrating than attending a silent auction fundraiser where auction items have been haphazardly displayed. Visually pleasing auction tables are a high priority! You want bidders to get excited about the
items you are displaying. Your goal is to encourage people to bid on items – not pass them by.

How you set up auction tables depends on the actual number of auction items and the amount of space you have to work with. Go out to your venue and physically pre-determine where you are going to set up silent auction tables. Do a configuration of how you want to place the tables and make sure you allow plenty of “elbow room.”

It is wise to set up “mock” tables before the day of the event to show how you want the auction items arranged. When arranging mock tables, remember to place a bid sheet beside or in front of each item. Bid sheets are printed on 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper and take up a fair chunk of space on the table.

Collect or cut out 8 1/2″ x 11″ pieces of cardboard in case you need to “mount” a bid sheet, e.g., when displaying a picture on a wall, hang the bid sheet with a cardboard backing from the picture itself. The cardboard backing gives bidders a hard surface to write on. Use ribbon, raffia, or twine to attach the bid sheet to auction items. (Use a foldback clip to attach the bid sheet to the cardboard.)

Tables are normally 6 or 8 feet long and 4 feet wide. You can use both sides of a 4-foot-wide table to display items, as long as the tables are not pushed up against a wall. Use tulle, painted cardboard scenes, fabric, stars, shapes, etc., as dividers down the center of tables, to utilize both sides of the length of the tables.

If tables are pushed up against a wall, use easels, stands, etc., behind the tables or use the wall itself to display items, e.g., pictures and sculptures.

Depending on the number of items you have collected, you can either place items sporadically or sort them into specific categories such as food/dining, jewelry, spa/health/fitness, sports, travel, children, etc.

Drape fabric over your auction tables to make them look more appealing. Fabric stores will often lend you a bolt or two of material in exchange for a mention in your evening’s program.
“Skirting” the silent auction tables is an alternative to using fabric. Hotels, restaurants, and golf clubs normally have an abundance of skirting and table linens on hand. Make sure you pre-arrange skirting and linens with the venue coordinator.

If you cannot get your hands on fabric, skirting, or table linens, use a roll of newsprint from the art room at the local school. Get students (or parent volunteers) to paint a theme on the paper and tape it around the tables. You can get creative with artwork, it all depends on your theme! (This idea is great when doing a school fundraiser. Get the kids involved!)

If using fabric or table linens, place small-to-medium sized boxes UNDER the fabric to make “display stands” for auction items. For example: a set of earrings would be more noticeable displayed higher than other items. It is also wise to keep “original” gift certificates with the event cashier(s) and display “mock” certificates in plexi-frames on the silent auction tables.

By using fabric, skirting, and/or newsprint, you not only make your tables more appealing, you create space under the tables for hiding boxes, bags, packaging, etc. (This space comes in very handy for volunteers’ purses, water bottles and shoes from sore feet!)

People like to SEE and FEEL what they are bidding on! Never display items in their original packaging, e.g., take the toaster out of the box and put a couple slices of bread in it!

Auction items don’t necessarily have to be placed on tables – utilize floor space, easels, room dividers, etc., when planning your layout. Get creative and arrange plants, furniture and other large auction items in groupings. (Make sure you have individual bid sheets attached to the items so bidders know they are part of the auction!) When displaying lamps, try to locate them near a plug – they look so much more appealing lit up.

Cello-wrapped wine, food, and spa baskets are great in auctions, although you don’t want an overabundance of them. If it is difficult to see what is inside a particular basket, list the contents so that guests know what they are bidding on.

It is also important to ensure auction items are in good shape, clean, and in proper working order, e.g., batteries in the flashlight!

As a final touch place tea lights, sparkles or colored glitter on auction tables to help create a theme or enhance the ambiance.

After ensuring the auction tables are properly set up, it is a good idea to have volunteers man the tables. They will keep an eye on the bid sheets, ensure the bid increments are being placed correctly and answer any questions the bidders may have. In essence, the volunteers become the “salespeople” of the visually pleasing auction tables you have taken so much time and effort to set up!

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Source by Karen Pearson