A wrapping paper fundraiser is a low risk way to spread good cheer and make money for your organization at the same time.
The product, premium gift wrap, has a nice, warm association with holiday gift giving that brings a smile to everyone’s face.
Though most groups do plan this kind of sale around the Hanukkah and Christmas Seasons, all-occasion gift wrap is available for other times of the year. The product has universal appeal since everyone but Scrooge has gifts to wrap.
The product works equally well as a direct sale or as a “pre-sales” or “order-taker” operation.
A single package of gift wrap generally sells for about $7.00 for 40 square feet with your group retaining 50% of the profits. Gift wrap sets containing either more patterns, or a single pattern with accessories sell in the $20.00 range.
A potential pitfall is that retail stores typically offer the same square footage for less money. This requires some selling – you have to remind the customer that your wrapping paper is premium quality.
It’s typically thicker, better quality paper and the producers hire top designers to create their paper patterns. It’s unlike anything you’ll find in stores.
Another challenge of this kind of fundraiser is that some customers may not see the value of premium wrapping paper. After all, the paper is a temporary decoration that is usually tossed in the trash once the gift is opened. And the gift receiver is less likely to appreciate the quality of one paper over another.
Others might be surprised that much of the time, the paper is not on the traditional cardboard tube.
For these buyers, gift wrap accessories are a good option. Tissue paper, bows, and gift tags are priced in the same ball park as retail stores and also cost in the $7.00 range.
The increasingly popular gift bag, perfect for people always running short of time, is also an excellent choice for people in this group. It’s also a great option for people who are, shall we say, gift wrap challenged.
Other Ideas
An alternate way of raising money with wrapping paper is to set up a gift-wrapping service. This would be a booth armed with skilled volunteers who perform the wrapping for shoppers who don’t want to – or don’t have time to – do it themselves.
The service could charge per gift wrapped or operate completely on donations, which is a little riskier if patrons aren’t particularly generous.
Naturally, to make it more profitable, you would get donations of all materials, which includes scissors, tape, ribbons, assorted boxes, and of course, wrapping paper.
Or, you could make it a green fundraiser by using old paper bags and newspaper to wrap the gifts with.
There are companies that sell recycled gift wrap too. It looks just as good as any other paper, but it is made from post consumer fiber, so it saves trees.
