Diamonds and Denim: Gifts Galore in Silent, Live Auctions

We all have those folks on our holiday shopping lists who are impossible when it comes to figuring out a good gift. Let the Toledo Opera Guild help out with that.

This sparkling gem and stone necklace
embodies the Diamonds & Denim theme.

The silent and live auctions at Saturday's Diamonds and Denim fundraiser for the Toledo Opera are bursting with fabulous items, many locally produced and all donated by generous supporters.

Got a sister who couldn't live without a cup of caffeine in the morning? Bid on the Keurig single-cup coffee maker. Have a parent who likes to go out to eat? Snap up one of the several gift certificates to area restaurants. Is a friend getting married soon? Get a beautiful piece of glass art.

Do you need to really make up for the vacuum cleaner you gave your wife last year? You'd best bid high and bid often on the jewelry, the purses, the boots and the hats.

Several gift baskets in the silent auction are wrapped and ready to give to that someone special. They're stuffed with homemade goodies like fresh bread and candied nuts, jellies and jam, barbecue sauce and spice rubs, and popcorn and cookies.

This basket of homemade goods
includes a Thirty-One tote.

Speaking of cookies, one Christmas-themed basket comes with a promise to home-bake and deliver all of the delicious treats you'll need for your seasonal festivities.

Go ahead and treat yourself by bidding on a spa package or a tattoo. We won't tell.

Silent auction bidding will be open through 9 p.m., when auctioneer Richard Leonard will take over and elicit your support for Toledo Opera in the live auction portion of the evening.

Bid on a gorgeous lamb leather and mink fur coat from Roth Furs, donated by Phil Roth; the President's Suite for University of Toledo Athletics, thanks to guild member Shirley Jacobs; and the chance to have the opera's own Resident Artists perform at your function. These talented young people have been presenting "Orpheus and Eurydice" as part of the Opera on Wheels program in area schools.

Don't forget, the event boasts a superb wine sale as well. Pick a bottle from California, Oregon, Argentina, Chile, France, Italy, Lebanon, Greece, Israel or Australia. Or one from everywhere!

Cash, check and credit card payments will be accepted. The proceeds raised directly benefit the Toledo Opera.