Steal these ideas

It's the time of year where everyone is busy and our calendar apps are in need of vacation... The Holidays. 
To make matters better or worse, It seemed these notions could serve those in youth ministry (or if your willing to take the initiative; life)

1. Sell line waiters-
   This is a fundraising idea that was spawned by theme parks, it sends teens out shopping with (or for) you.  NOT so you can buy them something, but so that you'll have someone with you or to wait in line while you head elsewhere, like to the car for a nap.  If you're trying to get a hard to find/limited quantity item (think Wii a few years back), rent a teen to stand in line for the opening of the store.  They'd be your shopping Go-for the day.
   OBVIOUS PAYOFF: money for the teens
   HIDDEN PAYOFF: the teens spend time serving and with people they don't normally encounter
2. Eating a little differently- This is a idea that we did a few years back at our winter retreat.  For each day, we'd have a *special* meal.  When we talked about being open with the community, we ate spaghetti... without napkins or utensils.  When we talked about how we need each other, we had tacos, but you had to get each part of the taco (lettuce, cheese, meat, etc...) from a different person.  For service, we fed each other sandwiches.
   OBVIOUS PAYOFF: a memory they'll remember
   HIDDEN PAYOFF: they're thinking about the message in new ways
3. Put a 1/4 back- This is a policy idea for fundraisers.  Many churches have big ticket items that require more money than the regular event.  For the Nazarene church, that's NYC, which comes every four years and often cost over a grand.  So why not put a 1/4 of everything raised back towards the cost?  If the idea is communicated enough in advance, there shouldn't be any trouble.  Make it a part of the community and save yourself the headaches. 
   EXAMPLE 1: a fundraiser raises $1000, put back $250 specifically for the big trip. 
   EXAMPLE 2: a teen earns $100 for their work, put back $25 for the big trip. 
   OBVIOUS PAYOFF: trip prices are more affordable
   HIDDEN PAYOFF: the teens are already somewhat committed to the trips before you even advertise
4. A leader per item- This is a program idea.  I love to do things different.  The running joke around my church goes like this, "This week we're going to do our regular thing and do something different".  A great way to get more people involved from your church community is to bring in someone who can specialize in that one new/different thing.  You're not asking them to come with you for every retreat/lockin.  You're asking them for a one-time giving of themselves... which can often bleed into more. 
   EXAMPLE: Bob is a mechanic.  You want to talk about the Spirit's direction in the church.  Have Bob come explain (or better yet, SHOW with an engine) the workings of a car engine and you talk about how the Spirit fuels, steers, etc...
   OBVIOUS PAYOFF: you're not the talking head all the time
   HIDDEN PAYOFF: you can easily evaluate who you would and wouldn't want to pursue as a volunteer