LITTLE BOSTON — Preparing their tables with everything from spa packages and fancy dinners to rabbit compost, volunteers helped the third annual Stillwaters Environmental Center auction get stirring Saturday night.

And, apparently, even the stingiest holiday shopper was tempted by the items up for bid, causing the center to gain about $11,000, and many family members and friends to be pampered this year.

“It was amazing,” said Stillwaters administrative director Naomi Maasberg. “We almost doubled from last year, when we earned about $6,000. It really was awesome that people supported us this way.”

Spread out in the Port Gamble S’Klallam longhouse, the auction included both live and silent opportunities for people to bid on items. With volunteers primed and ready to answer questions or point out particularly tempting offerings, shoppers meandered through the tables searching for that special something.

“This is the first time I’ve been here,” said Carpenter Creek Chorus singer Kathy Caldwell. “I’m singing with the group tonight, but I’ll also poke around. This is a great way to Christmas shop, a really unique way, too.”

The event featured performances by different musicians, including jazz pianist George Ramsey, flutist Besty Cooper, Hank and Nick Veenstra playing the fiddle and guitar and Sylvie Davidson singing and playing the guitar. The strains of music, mainly Christmas music and carols, could be heard as people chatted and tried to outbid one another for everything from rain barrels to house cleaning services.

“The money from this auction will go towards the center’s fund,” said Stillwaters board member Bob Winkel. “The tree house still needs to be finished, and we have some other projects that need funding. Tonight will really help with that.”

The live auction featured the more expensive items available, including two trips to Mexico, a trip to Africa and a tugboat ride in local waters. The public snatched all of these, except for the African safari trip, Maasberg said.

“I wasn’t surprised though,” she said. “People who live in this area and help out with our cause are usually people who can’t afford a $5,000 vacation.”

“Everything is affordable,” said Hansville resident Laurie Lewis. “It’s easier to bid on things here, too, because it’s going to a good cause. I’m really impressed with everything they have here.”

Though not as many people attended the event this year, something that Maasberg attributes to last week’s stormy weather, she said the people who did show up were enthusiastic, and really got into the bidding.

“I’m sure we’ll bid one a thing or two,” said Stillwaters volunteer John Pierce. “Mostly smaller items. This is our third year, and we usually find some Christmas presents. Last year, we found a number of Christmas gifts that people really enjoyed. It’s a nice event in a nice space for a good cause.”