School Fundraising with Colored Carnations

Involving children in a school fundraising project is a practical way to teach them fiscal responsibility, time management skills and business strategies. Selling colored carnations is one of the easiest and most lucrative school fund-raising projects, because they are simple to manage and appealing to a wide consumer base. Teachers or parents looking for a winter fundraiser can sell pink carnations and red carnations as sentimental Valentine’s Day flowers. Colored carnations make appropriate fundraisers in the spring, as they are a colorful way to welcome the new season. Consider these fundraising ideas to help determine whether selling carnations can be an easy and lucrative project for your class.

1. Sell something that appeals to the masses. Everyone from school- age children to adults seems to catch the love bug around Valentine’s Day. Flowers are a great way to express that love and appreciation, and pink carnations or red carnations specially suitable choices, as they are inexpensive, hearty and long lasting. Students will be interested in giving carnations to other students, and parents can purchase flowers from their children to show their support.

2. Teach gratitude through your school fund-raising project. Although the primary goal of a school fund-raising project may be to earn money, it can also teach students other important lessons- specifically, that of appreciating their role models. Purchase assorted carnations and teach children to give them to their parents, grandparents and teachers who have made a difference in their lives. Have the sale around Mother’s Day or Teacher’s Appreciation Day to further drive this point home, or run the fundraiser at any time of the year to illustrate that appreciation should be a daily part of a person’s life. Encourage students to purchase flowers for their friends and write notes explaining how each friend has made a positive contribution to his life.

3. Expand your client base. Who says that only students can purchase products from a school fund-raising project? Having a fundraiser like a carnation sale is a great way for children to solicit participation from other people in the neighborhood. Neighbors, friends and grandparents may want to purchase flowers for themselves or for others. Because carnations are not difficult to carry, children can carry them home from school and distribute them easily. Flower wrapping paper and plastic sleeves are inexpensive additions that can increase the value and beauty of the bouquet while making the carnations easier to handle.

4. Consider your merchant’s needs. Likewise, young children who are asked to sell a wide variety of products are likely to mix up their orders, causing headaches for both students and customers. Having a fundraiser with pink, red or even colored carnations will limit the amount of products that are for sale and will minimize confusion during order fulfillment.

When planning a school fundraiser, one must consider the profit margin, the ease with which the project can be executed and the lessons that can be learned by fundraiser participants. Carnation flowers make fabulous school fundraising products because they are affordable, easy to handle and can teach children valuable lessons about showing appreciation. What more could any teacher want?