Where do you get your spirit supplies?

[CookiesRGood4U]

Just as the title says. I was wondering where you guys get your spirit supplies for cheap.

[Techgirl675]

Our team is generally pretty creative when it comes to showing enthusiasm. We have used everything from thunder sticks to homemade steamers. Usually we tend to just be really, really, REALLY loud.

[Koko Ed]

Our spirit supplies come from the depths of our soul.

[Sean Raia]

We make them

[Dantvman27]

The dollar store, i-party, craft stores, and The magical land of walmart

[JaneYoung]

It depends.
What aspect of spirit are you thinking about?

Buttons:
teams can order them ready made or they can make them. To make them, you would need a button maker.

Give-aways:
Teams can order them on-line, shop for them at hobby stores, toy stores, or make them. Supplies for making give-aways can come from hobby/arts & crafts supply stores or donations from individuals.

Signage such as banners and flags:
Teams can have them made or the team can make them. It's always a plus if a sign company can help sponsor a team.

- on-line sources
- arts and crafts supply stores
- fabric stores
- your imagination and creativity
- scraps and left overs from projects
- ask your parents/parents association - you never know, you may have a parent or someone associated with the team, who has a business, a hobby, or studio who would be willing to donate not only supplies, but talent and time, as well.

[KathieK]

Grab a copy of your Better Business Bureau company directory, or look in the yellow pages. Figure out what companies are in your area that make products that they might have surplus materials for. In my area we had a company which made material that is used for robot bumpers. They had a room full of leftover material for non-profit groups. They had other material that could be used for team flags, etc. In nearby Massachusetts is a company which produces vinyl material used for bumper stickers, etc. They also have a room full of end pieces that groups can take. Great source of materials for team signs, etc. All free!

Check local garage/tag/yard sales year round with your team in mind. Craigs List is a good source to locate local sales.

Also check for stores nearby that sell/giveaway recycled items.

[Chath Maral]

Well... Our spirit is self-developed.
We started with a few enthusiastic members that try to overpower the teams much larger than ourselves... The programming team in particular screamed '1785' or 'blue/red alliance' or just bestial screaming from the depths of our throats until or voices gave and our throats bled... literally.
We had to drink cough syrup after Denver a few years ago ^^ I have no regrets!
As far as everything else we have, we made it with items lying around the school that would have otherwise gone unused...

But I think that spirit equals enthusiasm, not just the flashy banners and displays.
After all, we must have made impressions with just our voices!

[Phoenix Spud]

We are starting to get our from a lot of places. We have found that right around now is a good time to get "Australian" spirit stuff since Tuesday is Australia Day. That probably doesn't help teams in the USA much, but for all you teams in foreign countries that want to show the FIRST community what it means to be from that country, keep in mind that your "independence day." (e.g. 4th of July or Australia Day)