Home Holiday Boutique Sale

[missykay]

Has anyone done a home boutique sale that feels like sharing advice or experiences? I am hosting one at the end of the month and was wondering if anyone had any pointers for me.
I am going to sell bows and clips, and maybe take orders for tutus if I have time to make a few for display. There is going to be a Tupperware lady, a purse lady, jewelry, makeup, a cake maker, Hawaiian gifts, and maybe a few others that have not confirmed yet. I plan on having it in my 3 car garage, using the whole thing. What ideas do you have for making a garage as holiday boutique-y as possible? I don't want to spend a lot of money, but want to make it festive. Thanks so much if you are able to help me!

[smileytm]

I want to do this also with Mary Kay.
Teresa

[fragglerock]

We do something similar with my playgroup. We use someone's house and usually have one vendor in each area of the house. The cost of having a table is an appetizer and a beverage, this way the shoppers can eat, drink and shop! I always find that people spend more money when they have a few glasses of free wine and yummy food. Also, every vendor donates a door prize and we have a raffle at the end of the event. Hope this helps you out a little.

[gabenmimismom]

Sounds like a fun idea! I am interested to hear other ppl's ideas as well.

[mom2girls]

WOW that sounds awesome

Originally Posted by fragglerock

We do something similar with my playgroup. We use someone's house and usually have one vendor in each area of the house. The cost of having a table is an appetizer and a beverage, this way the shoppers can eat, drink and shop! I always find that people spend more money when they have a few glasses of free wine and yummy food. Also, every vendor donates a door prize and we have a raffle at the end of the event. Hope this helps you out a little.

[gabriellabella]

I have done them before...but...not with other vendors.

I brought about 3 styles of bows, headbands, and crochet beanies with and without the flowers. I also brought some clippies and flower clipplies. I think I brought about 6 of each style in different colors and prints. When I sent the invites out I had printed on the invitations to bring outfits with them (you would have a ribbon color chart) so that they can order bows, headbands, hats, etc., to match the outfits. I also askeed for everyone to bring their ugliest hair bow or accessory with them. There was a vote at the end of the demo and the person who brought the ugliest bow won a free bow. I also did a drawing for a crochet beanie flower hat.

Hope that helps!

[missykay]

Originally Posted by fragglerock

We do something similar with my playgroup. We use someone's house and usually have one vendor in each area of the house. The cost of having a table is an appetizer and a beverage, this way the shoppers can eat, drink and shop! I always find that people spend more money when they have a few glasses of free wine and yummy food. Also, every vendor donates a door prize and we have a raffle at the end of the event. Hope this helps you out a little.

I think this is exactly what we are going to do. It is going to be on November 30, so I will let you know how it goes. It is actually going to be in my 3 car garage and it looks like we have about 11 or 12 people interested in selling. I'm excited!

If there are any other ideas, I would love to hear them, or you could PM me if you don't want to share publicly. Thanks!

[wmfjones75]

This is a great idea! How did you find the other folks? Did you already know all of them? If not - how did you find them?

[missykay]

Originally Posted by wmfjones75

This is a great idea! How did you find the other folks? Did you already know all of them? If not - how did you find them?

Word travels! It started just me with my bows, my neighbor with candles, and her friend with jewelry. Then my cashier at the bank was talking to me and I was telling her about it and she let me know she sells tupperware, then a few days later she called me to tell me someone that sells kids aprons wanted to join. My neighbor's sis in law has started a cake making company and so she is bringing some samples. So it just grew like that.
Just try to network. Pick a date and tell EVERYONE about it. If someone knows someone that would be interested, make the call if you trust that they will make it or be a good item at your open house. I have attended a few of these on a smaller level and they seem like a lot of fun if nothing else (but I do hope to sell too )

[MyGracieLou]

This is actually a very popular thing to do around here. I'm involved in one this weekend but am wanting to start hosting them also. People contact builders and ask to use their empty homes or model homes so then it give them attention and then vendors set up everywhere in the house - including bathrooms! There is a central checkout system which is awesome for me because then I don't have to be there the whole time! It was a $35 booth fee which they used for advertising and supplies and then they keep 15% of sales. I have attended probably 6 in the last year although this is the first one that I have a booth at but I'm totally addicted to them My friends and I love going. They have everything from candles, jeans, shoes, purses, jewelry, and of course cute baby stuff. Good luck!

Meghan