Fundraisers??

My kids are doing the one that has the wrapping paper and odds and end type stuff. I find them annoying because alot of the time I just don't have the extra money to buy something. I do but I cringe when I write the check.

My daughter had to sell the wrapping paper, candy and knick knack type stuff. They aren't allowed to go door to door, but it doesn't matter because we live in a small town and everyone either has kids going to the school or knows someone who does. I couldn't sell to my friends because they all have the same problem and my family lives 500+ miles away. She was supposed to sell 15 items. The cheapest being $5. We couldn't do that. So I bought 7 items which came to over $50. I hate it. The stuff is way overpriced and mostly worthless except to people that like to collect that stuff. When I was a kid we sold World's Finest Chocolate bunnies every year for easter. Those things went like crazy. I miss them, lol. I think schools would make more money if they actually sold stuff people wanted--not just cutsie collectable stuff. Of all the stuff we bought last year the only thing I used was the wrapping paper sampler.

They've sold candy, small decorations and knick-knacks, and entertainment books. Frankly, I think it's a nuisance. I'd rather just pay cash to fund whatever field trip or activity the PTA has planned fot them.

Usually they sell pizza, candy, nicknacks but this year they sold build-a-bears. I didnt let my kids participate this year because they were too expensive. I dont mind them selling the other stuff because the kids really enjoy it and we have our regulars that like to order, but I knew that they wouldnt be interested in the bears this year.

My son is in the 7th grade and his school did entertainment book and magazine sales. I liked these because they are online. I don't like the idea of buggin' relatives and friends. And I really don't like him going door to door to sell stuff. There is still that option, but I love that fundraising has gone online. I just create an account, fill in some info, and the system sends out automated emails in my name and/or my son's name. Well, I guess we are still pestering friends and fam, but it's a little less intrusive via email. And I add a tag to outgoing messages stating that he is football captain, honor's math class, spelling bee winner, etc., and we're bound to sell well every time!

My school sold magazines, wrapping paper, Halloween pumpkins, wreaths... I didn't mind the community having a one-stop shop to go buy things like pumpkins, but the door-to-door sales got annoying.