Items and bid sheets are laid out on tables on the day of the auction and throughout the day people pass by and write their bids on the sheets. Thus, the price for each item creeps up over the day and tensions and rivalries develop over the most wanted items. The finale sees a flurry of bidding as people vie to outbid their rivals for their desired items. At the close of bidding the highest bidder on the bid sheet is the winner who gets to purchase the item.

Think of the sorts of things you might want to buy for yourself or for your friends or family. Bird or nature-related items are always very popular, especially those with a Caribbean theme or things that are hard to get at home. Things like the latest (or antique) field guides, natural history books, paintings, photographs, artwork, handicrafts, shade-grown coffee, binoculars and other field equipment, field bags, stamps, handicrafts, t-shirts, scarves, beach wraps, pins, jewelry, CDs, ceramics, carvings, iron work, tote bags, toys, puzzles, bird feeders, bird tours, educational materials, rum, and chocolate all tend to sell well. The most popular items are not always the most expensive ones but the things that catch people's imagination. Be creative!

We expect all participants to BRING AT LEAST ONE REALLY ATTRACTIVE ITEM to DONATE and beaucoup $$$ to SPEND (get some early Christmas and birthday shopping done for your family and friends)!