Top Raffle Prize Ideas to Boost Participation

23/05/2025

Running a raffle is a smart way to reach your fundraising goal—but only if you’ve got the right raffle prize ideas to get people buying tickets. Sure, not everyone can score a trip to Bali or a new car, but great prizes don’t have to break the bank.

In this article, we’ll explore a variety of popular and cheap raffle prize ideas that can help drive ticket sales as well as tips for choosing the right prizes to ensure your raffle is a success.

Key Takeaways

• Offer a mix of prizes, from services (e.g., house cleaning, personal shopping) to experiences (e.g., cooking classes, VIP concert access), to target different interests and drive ticket sales.
• High-value items like vacations, electronics, and exclusive event packages can generate buzz and increase ticket sales—these can be secured through community partnerships and donations.
• Themed gift baskets (e.g., pet lovers, movie night, or self-care baskets) are affordable, customizable, and appealing, making them great for drawing in more participants.

Popular Raffle Prize Ideas

When it comes to 50/50 raffles, the main prize is a cash payout drawn from ticket sales; however, there are so many other prize ideas you can choose for your raffle. Here are some popular raffle prize ideas that are sure to attract attention and boost ticket sales.

Services

Here are a few fun ideas:

• House cleaning
• Lawn mowing or yard work
• Carpet or floor installation
• Organizing or decluttering
• Handyman services
• Personal shopping or errand running

Experiences

Other great prize ideas that sell raffle tickets include:

• Makeover or personal styling session
• Chance to skate with the local roller derby team
• Painting lesson with a local artist
• Brewery or winery tasting tour
• Horseback riding tour at a nearby farm
• Behind-the-scenes museum or zoo tour
• Cooking class with a local chef
• Hot air balloon ride or skydiving experience
• Private movie screening at a local theater
• Ticket to a concert, festival, or local event

Gift cards and gift certificates

Gift cards may seem a little pedestrian, but they are excellent raffle items. What student wouldn’t love getting a gift card loaded with several pizza dinners? And who doesn’t want an excuse to go out to dinner? 

When you approach local restaurants, keep in mind that, yes, you’re asking for a donation. But that donation helps their business, too. The lucky winner could be someone who’s never been to the restaurant before, making them a potential new customer. Plus, donating a prize is a way to get good press and name recognition, which could translate into more people coming in the door. 

If the gift cards or gift cards or gift certificates aren’t enough, add them to a gift basket. Take our pizza gift card idea—you could easily build that into a college student gift basket that includes movie tickets, snacks, laundry cards, a snuggly hoodie, and more. Another would be to use the pizza card in a new-parent basket filled with babysitting vouchers, a treatment at a local spa, and maybe even a weekend getaway.

One-of-a-kind items

Signed sports memorabilia, artwork, and antiques generate buzz and ticket sales. 

Historical or antique items: Visit local antique shops, estate sales, and swap meets for real treasure! Sometimes, shop owners are willing to donate or offer items at a reduced price for a good cause. You might also find hidden treasures in your own attic or those of your friends and family.

Celebrity connections: If you or someone in your network is connected to a celebrity, reach out to them! You could ask if they’d be open to donating an autographed item, a lunch date or a short video message. 

Custom experiences: Raffle off a private dinner with a local chef, a day with a craftsman, or a personal tour of a local attraction. The key here is to make the experience extra exclusive. 

Local business partnerships: Partner with local businesses to create exclusive packages or products. For example, a local brewery could produce a limited-run beer, or a boutique could offer a one-time fashion piece.

Big-ticket items

Procuring big-ticket items can be a raffle ticket sales game-changer. These prizes generate a buzz and significantly boost ticket sales. You’ll need to leverage connections and partnerships to secure these prizes. Utilize your organization’s social networks, board members, and community contacts to identify potential donors. Also, consider collaborating with larger organizations, as they might be more willing to donate high-value items for exposure and corporate social responsibility benefits.

Here are some ideas for big-ticket raffle prizes:

• Luxury vacations or weekend getaways
• High-end electronics (smartphones, tablets, laptops)
• Vehicles (cars, motorcycles, or even electric bikes)
• Exclusive concert or event VIP packages
• All-inclusive spa retreats
• Private yacht or boat rental for a day
• Memberships to exclusive clubs or gyms
• Signed sports memorabilia from top athletes
• Custom jewelry or high-end watches
• Premium home appliances (smart fridges, luxury coffee machines)

Themed gift baskets

Themed gift baskets are a timeless and effective raffle prize. They’re fun to create, easy to customize, and excellent ticket-sellers. If you have a variety of donated items, a themed basket can tie them together into a standout prize. 

Here are some creative raffle basket ideas:

• WFH (work from home) basket: Blue-light glasses, a clip-on glamour light for Zoom meetings, restaurant delivery cards, ergonomic seat cushion
• Summer grilling basket: Cooking tools, specialty sauces, a cookbook, craft beer, twinkle lights for outdoor ambiance
• Sports fan basket: Merchandise from a local sports team (jerseys, hats, signed memorabilia), tickets to a game, or behind-the-scenes stadium tour
• Local adventure basket: Gift certificates for hot air balloon rides, ghost tours, horseback or carriage rides, docent-guided museum tours, or cooking classes
• Pet lovers basket: Treats, toys, a gift card for grooming or training, a pet camera, ora  gift certificate for pet-sitting services
• Artisanal craft basket: Handmade pottery, woven textiles, artisanal soaps, and unique jewelry from local artisans
• Movie night basket: A selection of classic films, popcorn, candy, cozy blankets, and a gift card to a local theater
• Coffee lover’s basket: Specialty coffee beans, a French press, reusable coffee cups, and pastries from a local bakery
• Self-care basket: Scented candles, bath bombs, face masks, plush towels, and a relaxing herbal tea assortment
• Holiday basket: Festive decorations, gourmet chocolates, holiday-scented candles, and a bottle of seasonal wine or champagne

Tips for Choosing the Right Prizes

Choose raffle prizes that grab attention, excite your audience, and boost ticket sales. Here is how you do it:

• Know your audience: Pick prizes your guests will love—think gift cards, local outings, or fun family items.
• Balance value with appeal: Offer a mix of easy wins and exciting big-ticket items to keep everyone engaged.
• Incorporate local partnerships: Work with local shops or services to offer unique prizes and build community ties.
• Create themed prize packages: Group smaller items into themed baskets—like spa day, cooking night, or local adventures.
• Keep it unique and memorable: Stand out with exclusive prizes like VIP access or private experiences.
• Ensure easy donation and delivery: Choose prizes that are easy to get, give out, and use.
• Factor in ticket sales: Pick prizes that get people excited to buy tickets—offer something for everyone.

Conclusion

With the right mix of raffle prizes—whether it’s unique experiences, themed gift baskets, or big-ticket items—you’ll get people excited and boost raffle ticket sales in no time.

Want more tips? Grab our free raffle eBook for ideas to make your fundraiser (online or in-person) a success. And don’t forget the finishing touch: raffle tickets! Browse our customizable templates to find one that fits your theme. With next-day printing, fast shipping, and a satisfaction guarantee, we’re here to help take the stress out of your event planning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s the difference between a raffle and a giveaway?

A raffle requires people to buy tickets for a chance to win, while a giveaway is free to enter.

Can I host an online raffle without a license?

It depends on your location—many states or countries require a license. Always check local raffle laws before starting.