Party Idea: Host a Home Goods Swap

We've been invited to a few clothes-swap parties lately, and although we couldn't attend, the idea will never really go out of style - bad economy or not. This got us thinking about different kinds of swaps. Similar to a white elephant gift exchange this month, why not host a small holiday party which has a home product gift exchange/swap at its core? Obviously the items would need to be of a reasonable size (no furniture), but things like vases, blankets, pillows, artwork, dishware, even lamps, would be great for gifting and getting. Throw in the stealing element of a white elephant exchange and this could be pretty fun...

Any other great party swap ideas for inexpensive holiday gathering?

Let us know if you do this or something similar...we'd love to blog about it. Email chicago(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com.

Photo: Katy Elliot/Domino

Comments (7)

I've done an accessories swap with girlfriends. Nice, gently worn (or never worn) shoes/pumps and vintage or Coach purses/bags.

posted by Elizabeth II on December 3rd 2008 at 4:52pm
view Elizabeth II's profile

Stealing images from istockphoto now? That's classy.

posted by lauramae on December 3rd 2008 at 5:56pm
view lauramae's profile

LOVE this idea.

posted by "..." on December 3rd 2008 at 6:05pm
view "..."'s profile

I had a friend move out of state and leave me with all the bath and body stuff from her bathroom she didn't want. Way more than I could use and I lot of stuff that didn't fit my needs or tastes. We've all got the perfume that doesn't smell right on us, or the hair care product that didn't work as promised. And we spend too much on the stuff to just throw it away.

So, I had a swap in early November and it was a big success. Everyone brought very useable stuff and all walked away happy!

We had a GREAT group of women, all very polite and fair. I'm curious if anyone has swap protocol/ettiquette in case not everyone is being nice??

And I had enough stuff - I'll host another one in January after we all recover from the holidays and need a little pampering.

posted by Loosetooth on December 3rd 2008 at 8:08pm
view Loosetooth's profile

yeeeeah....the istockphoto thing is bothering me. i know some folks who illustrate for them, and they really do deserve the peanuts they charge. that image probably only cost $10 to legally use. as Seth and Amy would say..."Really?!!"

posted by Viva Idea on December 4th 2008 at 12:06am
view Viva Idea's profile

I have had a dinner with friends before I take a trip to drop stuff off at the thrift store. I have great stuff, and sometime just too much and I need to swap stuff out. Unfortunately it's only me doing the giving (I'm fine with it, that is why I have having them over) but it would be nice to have a swap party not a "shop at my place for free" party (that's what I title the invite), seems like that could be more fun, so I can participate in the looking instead of just watching. Good idea to do this when you are moving or doing spring cleaning.

I have also been to naked people parties for clothing swaps as well as kids clothes swap (too bad my daughter is always 3 years older than the rest of the kids, but it feel good to get rid of stuff).

posted by iGeekChic on December 4th 2008 at 3:09am
view iGeekChic's profile

The previous image was taken from a radio blog, not istock (although i looked back and they did not include credit either, so i don't know the source.) apologies for offending.
http://www.mix1073fm.com/article.asp?id=524801&SPID=17375

It has now been replaced.

posted by heather on December 4th 2008 at 11:35am
view heather's profile