Boost bids with these 20 silent auction basket ideas

Silent auction baskets are a favorite for nonprofit fundraisers. Fun and simple, baskets group smaller value items into themed collections to attract bidders. 

Whether the actual gift baskets get hand-delivered to the winners or prizes are styled as “virtual baskets” in an online auction, this list of auction gift basket ideas will excite your bidders—no matter what kind of silent auction you're hosting. 

1. Homemade gifts 🧺

Call on your craftiest volunteers to create auction gift baskets that have a personal touch. Homemade gift baskets can be full of goodies like:

• Hand-knit socks or mittens
• Homemade candles 
• Freshly baked sweet treats

⭐ Extra credit: Invite local businesses to assemble gift baskets showcasing their own handmade offerings. List them as auction sponsors for some free advertising in return for their generosity.

2. Bookworm basket 📕‍

Have a few book lovers in your midst? A book basket might be the perfect fit for your silent auction. Put together a little library based on different genres:

• Rom-coms 
• Memoirs
• Science fiction 
• Picture books

⭐ Extra credit: Create a basket of books relevant to your cause—perfect for a curious donor who wants to better understand your work.

3. Family-friendly fun 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 

Plenty of families could use help unplugging for an evening—and this basket might just do the trick. A basket full of family activities could include:

• Board games
• Candy and popcorn
• Trivia questions
• Craft kits

⭐ Extra credit: Gear this silent auction basket idea toward specific age groups for even more targeted bidding.

4. Taco Tuesday 🌮‍

This one’s pretty self-explanatory—I mean, who doesn’t love tacos? Create a delicious basket with all the ingredients needed for a perfect taco party:

• Tacos shells
• Toppings
• Margarita mix
• Salsa and chips

⭐ Extra credit: Have a cuisine that’s more meaningful to your community? Make a basket around that foodie theme instead!

5. Red wine and dark chocolate 🍷

Another silent auction gift basket idea you just can’t go wrong with. Combine all the sweet and savory into one basket with:

• Some uncommon wines (full bottles or tasters)
• Local or artisanal chocolate
• Other special snacks (cheese, nuts, etc.)

‍⭐ Extra credit: Market this silent auction basket idea as the perfect anniversary gift or indulgent self-care.

More to explore

Browse 15 auction packages that are sure to get bidders buzzing →

6. Adults only 👀

This basket idea is clearly only appropriate in certain circumstances, but a sex-positive basket will undoubtedly create some buzz and draw in more than a few bids. Curate a sexy silent auction gift basket with:

• Adult toys
• Bath bombs
• A gift card to a local lingerie boutique

⭐ Extra credit: There’s an entire universe of erotic literature out there… need we say more? 

7. New parents’ survival kit 🐣‍

And now for a slightly different kind of grownup basket! Offer families of little ones some much-needed items—for both babies and exhausted parents. From cute gifts to must-haves, this basket could include:

• A high-quality sound machine
• Healthy, easy-to-grab snacks 
• Frozen meals
• Cute outfits

⭐ Extra credit: Gift cards to local restaurants are a great addition so parents don’t have to think about the logistics of feeding themselves. 

8. Hobby starter kit 🪗‍

This one’s all about knowing your audience’s interests. Though the items for this silent auction basket idea are endless, some of the best are themed, including:

• Gardening
• Rock climbing
• Embroidery
• Fly fishing
• Baking
• Painting

⭐ Extra credit: Include a gift card or subscription to a local supply store or classes to sharpen their new skills.

9. Travel package 🌎

People love the opportunity to escape everyday life and make new memories. In this case, winners are whisked away to a beautiful destination while contributing to your cause. A “basket” of travel packages can take a variety of forms:

• Sightseeing cruise
• Fun day trip
• Relaxing weekend package
• Multi-day hiking trip

⭐ Extra credit: Instead of spending hours tracking down and coordinating with someone willing to “donate” their second home for a weekend, you can take advantage of new platforms like Winspire that enable you to add high-value vacation stays to your auction with no commitment and modest reserve pricing.

10. Staycation gift basket ⛱‍

Even if you can’t secure someone’s beach house in Tulum, you can still provide a relaxing vacation in a very biddable basket! Items in a staycation basket can include:

• A pair of cozy bathrobes
• Passes to a local attraction 
• A light-hearted beach read 
• Slippers

⭐ Extra credit: Create a theme for these baskets (e.g., Maui Magic or Spring Break) even if they’re enjoyed from home. 

More to explore

Check out these 15 unique silent auction ideas →

11. Movie night 🎞 

With so many streaming services, DVDs won’t be as enticing for modern bidders. Still, you can create a perfect movie night or TV show binge-fest basket with a few simple items:

• Gourmet popcorn
• A gift card to rent a new release
• A cozy blanket
• Other cinema-specific sweet treats (lookin’ at you, Raisinets!)

⭐ Extra credit: Offer a not-as-common membership to a streaming service like the Criterion Channel or BritBox. 

12. Spa day in a basket 🧖‍

A little R&R, anyone? Health and wellness treatments are more popular than ever, so this silent auction basket idea will be, too. Offer a pampering gift basket that features:

• A selection of face masks
• Mani-pedi supplies
• Body scrubs
• Hair treatments
• Soothing candles 

⭐ Extra credit: Add a gift certificate to a local spa, allowing bidders to choose from a variety of treatments so they can do some pampering outside of their home, too! 

13. Seasonal favorites 🎃‍

Consider including a basket or two related to upcoming seasons or holidays important to your supporters. Some fun seasonal basket themes to consider are:

• Back to School
• Summer Fun
• Be My Valentine
• Spooky Snacks

⭐ Extra credit: Offer tickets to festive events in your local community (e.g., spooky walks, water parks).

14. Fanboys and girls 🖖 ‍

Know your nerds! If you have collectors in your community, this auction category can be super successful. Collectible items might include memorabilia from:

• Star Wars 
• Batman 
• Star Trek
• Lord of the Rings

⭐ Extra credit: Include baskets themed around more off-beat cultural sensations like Schitt’s Creek or cult-favorite Adventure Time.  

15. Lottery basket 🔮

Have a few supporters willing to test their luck? This might be the perfect option. A winning lottery basket might include:

• Scratch-offs
• Powerball tickets
• Casino gift card

⭐ Extra credit: Think you’ll have some winners? You could even include a very nice note requesting the winner donate a portion of their jackpot to your organization. 😜

16. Adventure seeker 🧗

Spark the adventurous spirit in any bidder with a basket designed to get them outdoors.

• Hiking backpack
• Camping gear
• Portable water filter
• Trail maps and guidebooks
• Outdoor activity vouchers (e.g., zip-lining, rock climbing)

⭐Extra credit: Add camping-related food items and cookware so winners can make a whole trip out of their basket!

17. Coffee lovers ☕

Entice caffeine addicts with this auction basket that’s sure to get everyone buzzing!

• Specialty coffee beans
• French press or coffee maker
• Personalized coffee mug
• Gourmet biscotti
• Coffee-themed decor

⭐Extra credit: Include a gift card to a local coffee shop or a latte art-making class!

18. Fitness junkies 🏃

Target your most active bidders with a basket full of fitness essentials like:

• Yoga mat
• Dumbbells or resistance bands
• Fitness tracker
• Healthy snacks
• Gym membership or class pass

⭐Extra credit: Throw in a few sessions with a personal trainer to get some extra bids.

19.  Baker’s delight 🎂

Have a few bidders that are looking to make some tasty treats? Include a basket that has everything they need to become an expert baker, like:

• Baking mix kits
• High-quality baking utensils
• Decorative sprinkles and toppings
• Recipe book
• Personalized apron

⭐Extra credit: Make this basket tailored to the holidays for a more seasonal appeal.

20. Furry friends 🐕

Pet owners are always willing to pay top dollar to give their pets some extra love and care. Offer an auction basket that includes:  

• Premium pet food and treats
• Chew toys and interactive games
• Pet grooming supplies
• Cozy pet bed
• Pet store gift cards

⭐Extra credit: Ask a local dog spa to donate gift cards for treatments, too!

More silent auction basket theme ideas  

Still looking for a few more silent auction basket ideas for your next event? Don’t worry—we have some popular ideas to get your gears turning: 

• Picnic basket 🧺
• Jewelry basket 💎
• Spicy basket 🌶
• Snow day basket ❄️
• Beach day basket 🏖
• Carnival basket 🎪
• Candy-making basket 🍭 
• Mystery basket 🕵

Whatever your next silent auction basket idea is, choose one that’s relevant to your supporter base, fits your budget, and excites bidders. 

Set your silent auction gift baskets up for success

Great silent auctions aren’t just about offering stellar items (though that is pretty important). 

To make sure your next big fundraising event comes with more fun and less stress, check out Givebutter’s free auction software for nonprofits. You can get started in just minutes with user-friendly auction tools that are fully integrated with every free feature in Givebutter’s all-in-one fundraising platform. 

Ideas for a silent auction basket FAQ

What do you put in a silent auction gift basket?

In a silent auction gift basket, you should include items that align with the basket's theme and appeal to your target audience. If, for example, you’re targeting an audience of parents, you’ll want to create auction baskets that relate to family fun, children’s arts and crafts, and the like.

What are the best items for a silent auction?

The best items for silent auctions are experiences, luxury stays, unique goods, and one-of-a-kind merchandise or memorabilia. What will sell best though depends on your audience and their interests.

Additional resources

Need a bit of extra guidance to knock your auction out of the park? We’ve got you covered. 👇

• Start here: The nonprofit’s ultimate guide to silent auctions
• How to write a silent auction donation request (free template!)
• Maximize bids in person and online with the right bid sheets (free template!)
• 12 must-know silent auction rules and guidelines (free template!)

Ready to put these great ideas to work? Sign up for your free Givebutter account to create your most successful silent auction yet.