Why dress up when you can dress down?​
With lives as busy as many of us lead, the thought of a dressy evening out might not appeal. But a mug of hot chocolate and a good story shared with friends might be a more
attractive thought.
In which case, an anti-gala might be just the ticket.
Fundraisers often turn to fancy events to raise money. However, lavish evenings of this kind cost a large amount to host and take a whole team to prepare and execute.
A way around this is to focus on an ‘Anti-Gala’. This deliberately informal gathering has guests pitching in to become co-hosts.
A good example would be a Storytellers’ picnic, in which guests exchange stories, share the catering and use an outdoor space, or a public inside space to congregate. Another is a pyjama party, where children come with their favourite toys to listen to bedtime stories and have an early-evening ‘midnight’ feast or a cup of hot chocolate.
Like the sound of an Anti-Gala?
Here are our top tips:
- Plan your date, venue and theme.
- Consider the logistics.
- Will the date clash with another popular event?
- Decide whether participants will bring food to share.
- If guests are bringing food choose someone to manage the dishes.
- Decide on your storytellers and readers (is it open to all or by invite only)?
- Ask them to co-ordinate so as to prepare different stories.
- Who will set-up before and clean up after the event?
- Will you decorate the venue?
- If you will have crafting as well as stories, collect materials in advance