CHRISTMAS TREE ELEGANCE EVENT GUIDELINES
Important information for tree drawings, auction purchases and item pickup, and Fund-a-Need pledges
Then include a short Key Information section:
- Tree and gift pickup: Saturday, December 5, 8:30–11:00 AM
- Location: Signia by Hilton San Jose
- Winners must provide identification and a taxpayer identification number.
- Winners are responsible for transporting trees, gifts and auction items.
- Auction purchases are final.
All winning tickets must be identifiable as legitimately issued Valle Monte League donation drawing tickets and must include sufficient information to identify the winner. If a winning ticket cannot be verified, another ticket may be drawn.
Before each drawing, the Valle Monte League President will announce a final opportunity to deposit tickets. The tickets will then be mixed thoroughly, and the President will draw the winning ticket.
Drawing winners must provide proper identification and a taxpayer identification number for tax-reporting purposes. Failure to provide the required information will result in forfeiture of the tree and gifts. The tree will be donated to one of Valle Monte League’s beneficiary organizations, and the gifts—unless time-sensitive—may be retained for future use.
All trees and gifts must remain on display throughout Friday, December 4, 2026. Pickup takes place at the Signia by Hilton San Jose on Saturday, December 5, between 8:30 and 11:00 AM. Winners are responsible for providing appropriate transportation for the tree and gifts.
All registered guests will receive a personalized bid paddle (bidder number) at their table. If you do not find a paddle with your name, please visit the Guest Services table in the foyer.
Use the same bid paddle for both the Live Auction and Fund-A-Need campaign.
Each ticket must include enough information to contact the winner. If a winner is not present, Valle Monte League will call the telephone number listed on the ticket. If there is no answer, a message will be left with pickup instructions.
The winner must contact a Valle Monte League representative or arrive at the Signia by Hilton San Jose with the matching ticket or proper identification no later than 9:00 AM on Saturday, December 5, 2026.
Failure to provide the matching ticket or identification, furnish a taxpayer identification number, or appear by the required time will result in forfeiture. The tree will be donated to one of Valle Monte League’s beneficiary organizations, and the gifts—unless time-sensitive—may be retained for future use.
All trees and their gifts must remain on display throughout Friday, December 4, 2026.
To claim the tree and gifts, the winner must present the matching ticket stub or proper identification and provide a taxpayer identification number.
Tree and gift pickup will take place at the Signia by Hilton San Jose on Saturday, December 5, from 8:30 to 11:00 AM. Winners must provide their own transportation and appropriate means of moving the tree and gifts. All trees must be removed by 11:00 AM.
Under IRS regulations, the fair market value of the tree and its gifts must be included in the winner’s gross income for tax purposes. If the required taxpayer identification number is not provided, the winner will forfeit the tree and gifts.
The tree will then be donated to one of Valle Monte League’s beneficiary organizations, and the gifts—unless time-sensitive—may be retained for future use.
Contributions made for tree drawing tickets are not tax-deductible. No donation is necessary to enter the drawing. The suggested event donation is five tickets for $20.
All auction sales are final. Placing an online or live bid constitutes a legal and binding agreement to purchase the item if you are the successful bidder.
Silent-auction items displayed at the Champagne Brunch close at 1:00 PM. Brunch guests who use “Buy Now” or place the winning bid on a 1:00 PM closing item may collect it at the conclusion of the Brunch.
All remaining silent-auction items close at 9:00 PM on Friday, December 4, 2026. No bids will be accepted after an auction closes.
Auction items must be collected from the Signia by Hilton San Jose either by the conclusion of the Dinner Gala or on Saturday, December 5, between 8:30 and 11:00 AM. A paid receipt is required before any item can be released.
Payment in full is due when the silent or live auction closes. Failure to complete payment may result in the item being awarded to the next-highest bidder.
If you stored a credit card during event registration or auction sign-up, that card will be used for your auction purchases unless you select a different payment method at checkout.
Payment may be made by:
- Cash
- Check payable to Valle Monte League, Inc.
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Discover
Winning bidders should proceed to the Auction Checkout Desk at the conclusion of the event or during Saturday morning pickup. At checkout, you will:
- Receive and review a list of your winning items.
- Approve the list and complete payment.
- Receive a paid receipt.
- Present the receipt to the Auction Team to collect your items.
Values shown on auction receipts are estimates provided by donors when available and are not guaranteed by Valle Monte League. Please consult your tax adviser regarding the tax treatment of auction purchases.
All registered guests will receive a personalized bid paddle at their table. Use the same paddle provided for the Live Auction to make a Fund-A-Need pledge. Raise it at the giving level you wish to support and keep it raised until your number is recorded.
If you do not find a paddle with your name, please visit the Guest Services table in the foyer.
If you stored a credit card during event registration or auction sign-up, that card will be used for your Fund-A-Need pledge unless you select another payment method.
If you visit Auction Checkout, your pledge amount and payment method will be verified at checkout. Otherwise, you will receive an email confirming:
- The pledge amount recorded
- The card on file, when applicable
- A secure link to provide or change a card
- The option to fulfill your pledge through a donor-advised fund
If the recorded amount is incorrect, please reply directly to the confirmation email. If we do not have your email address, we may contact the person who made your reservation to help us reach you.
Review or Pay Your Fund-A-Need Pledge
Every Fund-A-Need contribution directly supports Valle Monte League’s 2026 beneficiary programs serving individuals, families and caregivers in our community.
The Auction Committee and auctioneer have sole discretion to determine the successful bidder for each item. Information about winning bids will also be available at the Auction Checkout Desk.
If a dispute arises during or after the sale, Valle Monte League’s auction records will be considered conclusive.
The Auction Committee, in consultation with the Christmas Tree Elegance Chair, has sole discretion to determine whether a disputed item will be offered or sold again.
All trees, gifts, auction items, trips and services are provided “as is.” Valle Monte League, Inc. makes no warranties or representations regarding their condition, workmanship, quality, description, authenticity or value.
Items, gift certificates and services may not be returned, exchanged, redeemed for cash, sold or transferred to another person. Unless otherwise specified, gift certificates and services must be used by December 1, 2027.
Tree winners and successful bidders are responsible for contacting donors to arrange the delivery or use of services. Reservations involving homes, condominiums or private catering must be arranged directly with the donor unless otherwise stated.
Trees and their gifts are awarded as complete packages. Winners must accept and remove all items included with the tree.
Valle Monte League is not responsible for damage or loss that may occur while trees, gifts or auction items are being removed from the Signia by Hilton San Jose.
Valle Monte League reserves the right to change or withdraw any tree, gift or auction item before the drawing or auction.