Only 1 month into our Finance Fast and it was time for some retail therapy - But I'm not allowed to buy anything new - so what is a girl to do when she wants some new clothes for the coming season? Hold a Clothes Swap Party.
So I went through my wardrobe and managed to part with 20 items - some dresses I've worn to weddings/balls a few times, a brand new pair of bikinis, trackie pants with tag still on I bought whilst on holidays in Cairns but couldn't be bothered trying on, tops that don't look right anymore (post baby body) and some accessories I don't use anymore. Created an event on facebook (no cost, it's free), sent reminder text messages 5 days prior and gave everyone the opportunity to preview before hand who couldn't make it on the day and lent a clothes rack from a friend.
Planet ark have an excellent site on how to host a swap party:
They even have stationary you can print out for the swap - swap tokens, display cards, signs, invites etc
The last 2 days have been absolutely overwhelming - generous people just wanting to have a clean out, a person who didn't have much luck trying to sell on facebook and couldn't be bothered doing the eBay thing. Some didn't even want to swap just happy to donate. We had almost 100 items and the swap hadn't even started. Brands galore .... Cooper St, Miss Shop, Bardot, Volcolm, Naked Art, Backstage, Roxy, Rusty, Insight, Ripcurl, Billabong, Picnic, Aztec Rose - just to name a few.
My cousin scored really well - a ball dress still with tags, that new bikini, a new summer dress she can wear on holiday to Bali soon, a dress she can wear to work and more!
We all left really happy with what we had swapped as they say 'one persons trash is another persons treasure'.
I'm so glad I've now experienced a swap party, I now have some beautiful items I can enjoy wearing through the coming summer months.
Left over items can be donated to charity or given to a family you may know that are doing it tough (single mums with teenagers etc).
There are other types of swap parties you can host as well - Kids toys/clothes, home wares etc.
Why don't you hold your own Swap Party? Go on an give it a go - you might really enjoy it!
Remember - It's Fun, It's Free, It's Green
What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun.
Maybe I will have one here!