Night to Shine FAQ

What is the Night to Shine Gala?

The Night to Shine Gala is our chance to gather our amazing community and raise funds for the school through the Live Auction, Silent Auction, and Fund-a-Need. 

When is the Gala?

Saturday, April 18th from 5:00pm-11:00pm

Do I have to be a Nativity parent to attend?

Not at all! In the past we have had alumni, grandparents, staff, neighbors, parishioners and friends. We welcome anyone that wants to support our amazing school. The more the merrier!

What if I don’t know who to sit with?

Dinner is assigned seating. When purchasing a ticket, there will be an option to list anyone with whom you would like to be seated. Don’t know who you want to sit with? No problem! We will do our best to seat you with other parents from your grade, children’s activities, neighbors, etc.  Who knows…you might come out of the night with a new best friend!

What is the schedule for the night?

There will be a cocktail reception in the Auditorium from 5:00pm-7:00pm. Arrive between 5:00pm-5:30pm and get a chance to Spin the Wheel! There will be awesome prizes for the early birds to win! You can also browse (and bid on!) the silent auction items, play a few games, and enjoy a Signature Cocktail curated by our new bartenders, Mustache Mixology! Of course you can catch up with your Nativity pals as well. While you’re catching up, be sure to explore the 7 Wonders of the World and the 7 Wonders of Nativity that make our school so special!  

Dinner and the Live Auction will be in the Gymnasium. Enjoy a meal with your table and get ready to bid on the Live Auction items! After dinner and the program we will head back to the Auditorium for some tunes, late night snacks, and more mingling.  

Last year’s theme was so fun! What do you have planned this year?

This year we will explore the 7 Wonders of the World and the 7 Wonders of Nativity. You will be given a passport for the evening and are encouraged to visit each Wonder station for a stamp. The Wonders include: Machu Picchu, the Colosseum, Petra, Christ the Redeemer, Chichen Itza, the Taj Mahal, and the Great Wall of China. At each station there will either be a game (with prizes!) or an appetizer.

Can you tell me more about Mustache Mixology?
    
With pleasure! We are really looking forward to this fun addition. Mustache Mixology will be serving drinks all night, some of which were specifically curated for our event. MM aims “to create memorable experiences through high-quality drinks and personalized service, all with a focus on health-conscious ingredients and community connection. Our brand ensures that everyone—whether they drink alcohol or not—feels welcome and celebrated.” 

Check them out: https://www.mustachemixology.com/

And bonus - the proceeds from the bar will go directly to the school!  So this year it really is “For the Kids!”  Cheers to that!

Sounds fun, how can I help?

There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer and contribute to the silent auction. Sign ups to volunteer the night of will be announced soon, so stay tuned!  To donate, simply visit our Amazon wish list, the Nativity website, or drop off items at the school office that you think would be good for a silent auction.

If you have any questions/ideas, or need to arrange a pickup, feel free to contact Meghan DeFrance (meghan.defrance@gmail.com)  or Kate Nestingen (kanestingen@gmail.com). Thank you for your generosity in making this event truly shine! 

Any other way I can sponsor or donate?

Yes!  We are looking for sponsorships - click here to view this year’s sponsorship opportunities or email Tracey or Amanda at nativityliveauction@nativitystpaul.org.

Are you doing the grade baskets again?  Those were so fun!

Yes! An ambassador from your child(ren)’s grade will be reaching out to you about your grade(s) basket! These are themed auction baskets that are curated by you and your kids! Stay tuned for that email and look for these fun baskets at the Gala!

I like the World of Wonder theme!  What should I wear?

You do you! Anything goes. Cocktail attire is the norm for the night - get ready to explore!

And what about these games? Do I have to pay to play?

This is a fundraiser, so yes, you will need to pay for some of the games! The fan favorite - Wine Plinko - is coming back this year as well as some other games. (Hint: start practicing your putting skills!)

Should I bring cash?

Yes! There is not an ATM on site, so please bring cash. For the games we can also accept debit cards, but we all know cash is king!

OK!  I won a silent auction basket - hooray!  Where and when do I pick it up?

Congratulations! Items can be collected at the end of the event or you can pick it up on Sunday, April 19 from 10:00am - 12:00pm at school.  

Oops, I *might* have too many of these fabulous cocktails. Can I leave my car in the parking lot overnight?

Yes!  We encourage all guests that have been drinking to leave their cars in the parking lot overnight.  Cars just need to be picked up by the end of day on Sunday.