10 tips for running a Father's Day stall

Father’s Day is just around the corner, which means it’s time to get your gift stall organised! These stalls are fantastic because they benefit everyone involved. Kids get the opportunity to choose a gift “by themselves,” parents are relieved of the task of taking them to the shops, the gifts are affordable yet surprisingly good quality, and your school or club has the chance to raise essential funds. Not to mention, the joy on the children’s faces as they anticipate the gift-giving experience is priceless!

To ensure your Father’s Day stall is a resounding success, here are 10 tips to keep in mind:

1. Time to order your stock if you haven’t already! Don’t delay in placing your orders to ensure you have all the items you need in time for the event.
2. Price your items in whole dollar amounts whenever possible. Keep the pricing between 50 cents and $10, offering a diverse range of gift options to suit different dads’ interests and preferences.
3. Organise class visits to the stall separately to prevent overcrowding and ensure there’s ample stock available for all. Start with the younger children to give them priority and a better chance of finding their desired gifts. If you have a large school, consider running the stall over two days to maintain order and allow for restocking if necessary.
4. Prepare a backup plan by baking plenty of cookies. If there’s excess stock, the cookies can be sold in the tuckshop or used as treats during the event.
5. Have someone ready to make a quick run to a dollar shop if you’re running low on stock. While it’s ideal to purchase most of your items from specialised wholesalers, it’s good to have a backup option in case of emergencies.
6. Set up a “gift board” away from the busy area, displaying the available items for children to browse and decide before approaching the stall to make their purchases.
7. Create a secret “gift guide” a few days prior to the event, allowing children to explore their options and make decisions between siblings to avoid duplicate gifts. No dad wants three sets of golf tees! See the example below 🙂
8. Consider making your own wrapping paper and setting up a wrapping stall. This idea adds a personal touch and can be found by searching the phrase “fundraising tip – wrapping paper for Mother’s Day stall” on Google.
9. Be mindful of leftover stock, as it can significantly impact your profits. Order conservatively and have a contingency plan in case you run out of popular items.
10. Keep detailed records and handover notes. Note what you ordered, where you ordered it from, and whether you would recommend the supplier for future events. Additionally, document any insights on what items you should have ordered more or less of. Recording this information while it’s fresh in your memory will be invaluable for planning future Father’s Day stalls. We have a Handover template in the Fundraising Whisperer's Toolbox, which is downloadable and fully editable. Join up here if your not already a member - it's FREE!

By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to run a fantastic Father’s Day stall that brings joy to both the children and their dads while raising funds for your school or club.

We have prepared a Canva template for a Father’s Day Stall gift guide that you can freely use and customise for yourself. It sits in our Resource Library – if you’re not already a member (it’s free!) you can head here to sign up. Otherwise, log in and edit away!