Discussions

Only thing I can think of is buy a cheap frame & fill it with scratch tickets. Get a small tree branch & hang scratch tickets off it.  
A cooler & lawn chairs .

The name for this type of event is now called, "Rainbow Auction" or "Penny Auction". The use of an ethnicity or nationality in the title can be misinterpreted.  
 
As for prizes, having it related to the organization would make them special.  
 
What price range are you thinking about?  
How many prizes?  
 

What about a gardeners package? Golf package? Spa package? These may turn out to be gift certificates or vouchers to clubs etc. but may be worth looking into.

katwalk1909 said "The name for this type of event is now called, "Rainbow Auction" or "Penny Auction". The use of an ethnicity or nationality in the title can be misinterpreted.     As for prizes, having it related to the organization would make them special.     What price range are you thinking about?   How many prizes?     "

So is using the name "Dutch auction" also inappropriate?  
or English toffee, Irish stew, Canada goose?  
Really getting sick of this political correctness.  
Maybe this explains the appeal of Donald Trump.

you said you wanted to stay away from gift cards, but I just did one along the theme of #Netflixandchill. I included a Netflix gift card in it, popcorn, cute popcorn "bowls", candy, licorice and it was a huge hit to both sexes.  
 
BBQ Gift Pail - BBQ tools, good BBQ sauce, scissors, skewers etc.  
 
This website has some awesome ideas - they're for purchase lol but I'd totally steal some of them ;)  
 
http://gwtgiftbaskets.com/collections/gift-baskets-for-men  

My family always does a Chinese auction at Christmas for the adults. $25 or less. Some of the more popular guy ideas have included space heaters, magnetic LED flashlight/trouble light (Princess Auto), hunting knife, Tim Horton's package, neoprene face masks, good quality winter gloves and warm socks, coffee makers, a slow cooker that looks like a lunch kit and plugs into your car (Princess Auto in surplus section- so it is a hit and miss). Camping gear. A small electric skillet (Betty Crocker brand from Home Hardware). Ratchet straps and/or booster cables (for vehicles ).  
Some other great ideas are meat packages (usually arranged with M&M meat shops or a grocery store), a good quality cooler that actually keeps stuff cold/hot for more than 12 hrs. Air beds. Good quality flashlights. Folding camp chairs (director chair style) or folding camp cots.  
 
Hope that gives you a few ideas.  
Good luck.  
 

Also don't forget the metro man.  
 
Men's hair care , men's specific lotions and shave creams, manscaping items (razors etc), cuff links, mems jewellery (watches etc)

katwalk1909 said "The name for this type of event is now called, "Rainbow Auction" or "Penny Auction". The use of an ethnicity or nationality in the title can be misinterpreted.     As for prizes, having it related to the organization would make them special.     What price range are you thinking about?   How many prizes?     "

Rainbow auction? No....Chinese auction....people are entirely too easily offended

First off, let me thank all who have given great ideas. I have a "homework" list (is that ok to say?)  
I would also like to let people know...i have no intention of offending anyone. I called it what i learned it was. My only defense is i haven't moved from my home community so i have not learned to call it anything else. Thank you for correcting me. It is certainly something i have come to expect e-brandoners to do consistently, regardless of the original topic.  
Again, thank you for the awesome ideas...im sure we will raise a good amount for the charities we give to.  
 
Edited by TerriR, 2015-12-30 10:37:29

Tickets to wheat kings game  
tickets to mud bog in area  
tickets to drag races Neepawa or Winkler or Gimli  
detailing my car  
simple car wash  
massage without happy ending....  
need more.....  
donation to charity in my name  
gift card to local restaurant or bar  
special date with wife, daughter or both at restaurant  
hotel in minot/ grand forks, wherever  
free meeting with financial planner other than a bank (don't feel a bank person works for me, just my feeling)  
golf lesson  
golfing  
driving range.  
what is your budget.. trips to phoenix allegiant air and race tickets.  
....  

Bucket with sponges, chamois, soap, wax, tire cleaner, etc.

*Year Membership to a local Museum (Commonwealth Air Plan training Museum in Brandon. Royal Canadian Artillery Museum in Shilo. 26 Fd Regt RCA - XII MB Dragoons Military Museum in Brandon.)  
*DVD Set(s) of Top Gear UK... any or all seasons  
*Anything from Jo Brook or WoodJoynt or Wolverine  
*Survival Kit  
*An evening at the Observatory at BU  
*Hunter Safety Course from Greg Steele  
*Uncle John's Bathroom Books with accompanying Toilet paper and Hunting themed/Camo toilet seat  
*Multi purpose tool and survival books  
*Road Safety Kit  
*Movie Passes  
* BBQ and cookbooks on BBQing and "Road Kill"  
*Anything from "I Want that Stuff" store  
*Variety of popcorn, flavours and DVD Action Movies  
*Hockey bag, stick, gift certificate for skates from Brandon Source for Sports or Sport Chek  
*Haircut-Beard Trim packages from local Barber Shops  
 
You might also want to look on the MB Liquor and Lottery website to see if your auction needs a one-time license.