As we declutter and purge during the Spring Cure, we're looking at ways to get rid of what you no longer want. A few of my friends have regular "frock swaps" at their homes: parties where guests bring old clothes to trade with other party-goers. It's a creative way to recycle unwanted items and get new ones for free. The principle can be applied to lots of other goods: books, housewares, and artwork swaps for starters...
We've always done frock swaps with a group of women, although mixed groups can be great too. You bring clothes that you think your friends might like, and they do the same. It usually works out well, since you're likely to find someone with similar taste among your friends. It also helps to bring some items that are one-size-fits-all: scarves, gloves, sunglasses, etc. Leftover clothes can be donated.
Book swaps are great, since they're gender-neutral and good books generate good conversation. We've been to a couple of holiday art swaps, which are also very fun. You can make your own art or bring someone else's, and we've ended up with some treasured items through these trades.
Other good ideas for swap parties? Let us know in the comments below.
Photos: Linnet
Originally posted by Sarah on AT:Chicago.
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Not too long ago, I had a "Free Sale" party. Basically like a yard sale, but everything was free. My friends all brought things they didn't want and ended up leaving with other people's "junk". We brought what was leftover to Goodwill the next day. As party favors, I made a mix cd of songs with titles involving trash or stuff (ex. "Love Junkyard", "103 and Other Things"). I also had prizes for things like The Oldest Item, The Item No One Wants To Touch, The Best Find, etc. It was a lot of fun and a great way to get rid of things that had been loitering in our closets.
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I'm actually having a Clothes Swap party with my girlfriends this weekend. We all bring the stuff that we don't wear any more, and dump it in a pile in the middle of the lounge-room floor. After a glass of champagne, it's a free-for-all. When everybody thinks they're finished, the hostess goes through the remaining items one-by-one, and everyone gets a chance to say who they think it would suit, etc.
Good company, champagne, soup & chocolate-dipped strawberries make the afternoon fly by!
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