Thinking About a Candy Cane Yard Fundraiser?

You should be. It's one of the most fun, low-effort, high-return fundraisers your organization can run — and families absolutely love it. Here's everything you need to get started.

First Things First: Getting the Word Out

Social media posts and school websites are a good start, but they only reach people who already know you exist. What about the neighborhood full of families who've never heard of your group?

That's where we come in. Claim your free listing on CandyCaneMyYard.com (always free for nonprofits and school organizations) and we'll give you a page you design yourself — your story, your dates, your prices, your personality.

Setting it up takes three steps:

1. Create your flyer or sign-up sheet as a PDF — we have templates to help.
2. Email it to Helpers@CandyCaneMyYard.com and we'll build your page.
3. Share your page link, QR code, or web address — and ask every member of your organization to share it on their own social pages too. The reach multiplies fast.

It's free. It works. Let's go.

Before You Launch: Decisions Worth Making

A little planning goes a long way. Think through these before you start taking orders.

What Will You Charge?

Pricing doesn't have to be complicated. Here's what we've seen work:

One thing to keep in mind: families often care more about the price than the exact count. A round number that feels like a deal will outsell a perfectly optimized quantity every time.

How Many Yards Can You Realistically Do in One Night?

Map it out before orders come in. A realistic delivery window is usually 5–9 pm, and yards take longer than you'd think — especially when the elves are having too much fun. Set a nightly cap and stick to it.

What's Included — and What's an Upgrade?

The candy canes are just the beginning. Consider offering these as standard or as fun add-ons:

• A personalized note from Santa (or from the family's own Elf on the Shelf)
• A texted photo of the elf mid-delivery — families with young kids go wild for this
• Candy canes scattered like magic, or bundled together like a treasure
• A handmade ornament left at the door as a keepsake

Small touches make the experience memorable and give you natural upsell opportunities.

Have You Considered Rental Candy Canes?

Instead of (or alongside) real candy canes, some organizations offer giant 3-foot plastic candy cane decorations that arrive mysteriously after dark and disappear just as quietly the following night. No candy means no cost-per-yard on supplies — just the magic. You can still include a note, a candy cane or two, and the elf photo to make it feel special.

Writing Your Announcement: Sell the Story

The best sign-up notices don't just list the facts — they paint a picture. Here are two examples that do it well. Borrow freely, or write something that sounds like your group.