Lord’s Acre Tips

Tip #1 - We have a reputation to uphold. Please do not bring anything to the sale that would be in place at a yard sale or a white elephant sale. Please no used items. We’re looking for handmade crafts, homegrown produce, quilts, afghans, baked goods, etc. It doesn’t necessarily have to be made by your hands or grown at your home, but you get the idea. A few new store-bought quality items are all right but not our main auction emphasis.

Tip #2 - Look at the old pictures. If you’re new to all this, for more of an idea of our Country Kitchen and auction, visit the church website at www.hardinschapel.org. There’s Lord’s Acre links for pictures of the past Lord’s Acres to give you an idea about the different aspects of the event.

Tip #3 - Do your own baking. See above about our reputation to uphold. Do not bring in store-bought cakes, pies, cookies, etc., for the auction or bazaar. People pay unbelievably high prices for homemade specialties, and that’s what they expect to get.

Tip #4 - Be prepared to spend freely. No matter how much advertising or publicity we do, the simple fact remains that most of the money spent at the Lord’s Acre comes from this congregation.

Tip #5- Use the provided disposable pans - We will have aluminum pans available for most if not all of your cooking and transporting needs. They’ll fit in the food warmers and be easier to store until needed. We have plenty, so take twice as many as you’ll need so you can double-pan and make everything sturdier.

Tip #6 - Don’t come juicy. For items such as green beans and corn, please drain all the juice before bringing them. This makes it much less likely to make a mess.

Tip #7 - Steer people outside - If you can do so without being obvious, as people finish eating, try to help steer them to sitting around outside or going to the church to watch a music video or talk or shop at the Country Kitchen. That’ll help make room for others and make it easier and quicker to break down the tables so the auction can begin.

Tip #8 - Don’t be late. Please have your items for the Country Kitchen, here no later than 2:00 on Saturday. Non-perishables may be left at the church or community center earlier in the week. Your food for the supper should be here between 3:00 and 3:15 so we can have everything ready to serve by 3:45. The earlier auctions items are here the more we’ll be likely to attract to stay.

Tip #9 - Have it hot. Please bring all food piping hot and ready to serve. There’s simply not enough room to reheat or microwave anything.

Tip #10 - Label your dishes. Please use a sharpie or a stick on label for your dishes so the kitchen crew and organize and get them out quickly.

Tip #11 - It ain’t over till it’s over. After the auction finally ends, we still have cleanup to contend with, so don’t be too anxious to get gone.

Tip #12 - Don’t be bashful, label your auction and Country Kitchen items with your name. Things sell better if people know who made them and it’ll speed up the auction considerably if everything that has been made has the name of who made them on the item as well as what the item is (for less common things) or any history or background information so the auction isn’t held up having to ask who made it or what it is.

Tip #13 - Price your Country Kitchen Items, but don’t put the price on the label. Label all your Country Kitchen items and the more decorative the better, but don’t put a price on the label. Put the price on either the box (for multiple items) or on the item with a separate sticker.

Tip #14 - Be friendly and positive - Make people feel welcome during the auction. Wave at them often. If the auctioneer asks you if you’re having a good time or if you like something, then always answer yes and nod your head. If you’re really enjoying yourself, wave your hat in the air.