The prize list on the poster sells the first ticket; a professional-looking ticket sells the second. After 25 years printing raffle tickets for schools, PTAs, charities and clubs, we’ve seen which prize tables sell whole books of tickets and which get a polite “maybe later”. This guide lists 80 raffle prize ideas that actually sell, organised by popularity, budget and audience, plus how to get prizes donated and the UK rules on prize limits.
In This Guide
Key Takeaways
- Offer a spread of prizes across three tiers – one star prize, a middle band, and plenty of smaller wins
- Budget 20–25% of expected ticket revenue for prizes if you’re buying rather than sourcing donations
- Local businesses donate more readily than national chains – and a printed “donated by” credit costs you nothing
- Vouchers, hampers, and experiences consistently outsell physical gadgets of the same value
- Know your legal position: donated prizes are uncapped in an incidental lottery; registered lotteries allow prizes up to £25,000
The 20 Most Popular Raffle Prizes
These are the prizes that come up again and again on winning prize tables – broad appeal, obvious value, and easy to display on the day.
- A hamper of luxury food and drink (the all-time classic – see hampers below)
- High-street shopping vouchers (John Lewis, M&S, Amazon)
- A meal for two at a well-known local restaurant
- Bottle of champagne or premium spirits
- Afternoon tea for two
- Spa day or beauty treatment voucher
- Air fryer or multi-cooker
- Premium coffee machine
- Wireless headphones or a Bluetooth speaker
- Family cinema tickets
- Theatre or pantomime tickets
- Fitness tracker or smartwatch
- Stand mixer or food processor
- Family day out (theme park, farm park, or attraction tickets)
- Weekend break or one-night hotel stay
- Tablet or e-reader
- Luxury chocolates and confectionery box
- Fresh flower bouquet subscription (three months)
- Signed memorabilia from the local sports team
- Gaming console (a genuine star prize for family audiences)
Raffle Prizes by Budget
A good raffle needs prizes at every level. Buyers look at the whole table, not just the top of it – the small prizes are what make a £1 ticket feel like fair odds.
Under £10 – small prizes that fill the table
- Boxes of chocolates and sweet jars
- Bottle of wine
- Toiletries and pamper sets
- Scented candles
- Books and puzzle collections
- Biscuit and treat tins
- Children’s activity and craft sets
- Plants and seed collections
- Local café voucher
- Homemade bakes and preserves (great for church and school fairs)
£10–£50 – the middle band that does the selling
- Restaurant and takeaway vouchers
- Gin, whisky, or prosecco gift sets
- Kitchen gadgets (slow cooker, blender, bread maker)
- Garden tool sets
- Beauty and skincare gift sets
- Board game bundles
- Sports and leisure vouchers (golf, climbing, swimming lessons)
- Cheese and wine selections
- Children’s toy bundles
- Photography session voucher
Luxury and star prizes – what goes at the top of the poster
- Weekend away or minibreak
- Latest smartphone
- Designer handbag or accessories
- Luxury watch or jewellery
- Hot air balloon ride or driving experience
- Private box at a sporting event or concert
- Helicopter tour
- Fine wine or whisky collection
- Robot vacuum or premium home tech
- E-bike or electric scooter
Pro Tip
Bundle complementary items – a tablet with a case and stylus, or a “date night” of restaurant voucher plus cinema tickets – to create higher-value prizes that justify premium ticket prices.
Raffle Prizes by Audience
Match the table to the crowd. A school fair, a golf club dinner, and a church fete sell to very different buyers.
| Audience Type | Preferred Prizes | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Families with children | Experience days, family vouchers, children’s items | Mid-range practical items, lots of small wins |
| Young professionals | Tech, restaurant vouchers, fitness packages | Fewer, higher-value contemporary items |
| Senior community | Garden items, traditional experiences, comfort goods | Quality over quantity |
| Mixed community | Varied selection across categories | Balanced tiers |
Raffle prizes for men
- Whisky, craft beer, or gin selections
- BBQ tools and accessories set
- Sports tickets or a stadium tour
- Power tools or multi-tool kit
- Golf lesson or a round for two
- Grooming and barber vouchers
- Driving experience day
Raffle prizes for women
- Spa treatments and pamper packages
- Handbag or accessories
- Jewellery and personalised keepsakes
- Prosecco or cocktail-making experience
- Beauty salon vouchers
- Fresh flowers or a bouquet subscription
- Boutique shopping voucher
Family and children’s prizes
- Theme park and attraction tickets
- Children’s bicycle or scooter
- Board games and puzzle collections
- Educational toy bundles
- Family photography session
- Indoor play centre vouchers
- Cinema family package with snacks
- Days out at farms, zoos, or aquariums
Hampers and Prize Baskets
Hampers are the workhorse of the raffle table: they look generous, they can be assembled from donations, and every one is different. Build them around a theme rather than a random assortment.
- Luxury food and drink hamper
- Family film night basket (popcorn, sweets, cinema vouchers)
- Pamper hamper (candles, toiletries, chocolates, fizz)
- Gardener’s basket (tools, gloves, seeds, plant vouchers)
- Afternoon tea basket (teas, preserves, scone mix, china)
- BBQ basket (sauces, rubs, tools, butcher’s voucher)
- Children’s craft basket
- Local produce basket (from farm shops and independent makers)
For seasonal basket themes and assembly tips, see our guide to spring raffle baskets.
Donated Prizes and Local Business Sourcing
Most successful community raffles buy very little: the prize table is built from donations. Local businesses prove far more receptive than national chains – they value the community connection and the local marketing exposure.
Who to ask
- Local retailers, restaurants, cafés, and takeaways
- Hairdressers, beauty salons, and wellness centres
- Sports and leisure facilities
- Professional services (accountants, solicitors, garages)
- Farm shops, garden centres, and independent makers
How to ask
Write a short, personalised request that says who you are, what the event is, who the audience is, and exactly what you’re asking for. Offer recognition that has genuine value: logo placement on posters and signage, social media thanks, a mention in the programme, and acknowledgement on the day. Follow up with a proper thank-you and a note of how much the event raised – that letter is what gets you next year’s donation, and it helps you sell more raffle tickets too. For a deeper treatment, see our guide to prize sourcing and sponsorship.
Prize Limits for Licence-Free Raffles
UK law caps some raffle prizes and not others, and the rules depend on the raffle type – something a surprising number of prize lists ignore.
- Incidental lotteries (the classic event raffle): no more than £500 of the proceeds may be spent on prizes – but donated prizes are uncapped, which is why donation-built prize tables work so well at fairs and fetes.
- Small society lotteries (registered with the council): individual prizes up to £25,000, with ticket sales up to £20,000 per draw.
- Cash prizes are best avoided in licence-free raffles – offer vouchers instead for the same flexibility.
- Alcohol can be included in prize hampers, but check the venue’s licensing position for regular draws.
If you’re running a licence-free raffle, our guide to running a raffle without a licence covers the four exempt types in full, and the raffle prizes reference guide covers value limits, alcohol, and unclaimed prizes in detail.
How Many Prizes – and How to Tier Them
Structure the table across three tiers so supporters at every budget can win meaningfully. If you’re buying prizes, aim to invest 20–25% of expected ticket revenue across all tiers.
| Prize Tier | Value Range | Role on the Table |
|---|---|---|
| Star prize | £200+ | Goes on the poster – sells the first ticket |
| Middle band | £50–£200 | Makes the table look worth entering |
| Small wins | £10–£50 | Volume – makes the odds feel fair |
Practical Checks
Verify voucher expiry dates, confirm experiences are transferable, and check any age or usage restrictions before promoting prizes – a prize the winner can’t use is worse than no prize at all.
Seasonal Prize Ideas
Running a seasonal raffle? We keep dedicated, regularly updated prize guides for each occasion: Christmas raffles, Halloween, Bonfire Night, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, summer raffles, and spring raffle baskets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Once the prize table is sorted, the tickets themselves matter more than most organisers expect: numbered, perforated books make selling and drawing effortless. Our raffle ticket printing service has produced them for schools and charities for 25 years, and you can browse custom raffle tickets designed around your event.
Professional Raffle Tickets for Your Fundraiser
Make your prize raffle a success with high-quality, professional raffle tickets from Stubbs Tickets. Our customisable tickets feature security measures, sequential numbering, and professional presentation that builds trust with your supporters.