Christmas Exchange Ideas that Can Save You Money!

You have something you no longer want and something you need. You know someone that wants something you have and she has something you want. Why not barter or trade. Not only does it safe you money, but it also is a wonderful way to be "green."

With this in mind allow me to bring to you five Christmas Exchange Ideas!

Gently used Toy & Book Exchange

If you have kids and have a bunch of friends and neighbors who are also parents this could be a wonderful idea. The Idea is simple. Set up an evening at your location and invite as many people you feel comfortable with and can fit into your home for a Potluck Dinner and Toy / Book Exchange Gathering. Ask each Person to bring X amount of Toys their kids no longer play with and are still in great condition or books for young readers that are still in great condition. Ever so often there are toys from the year before the kids never even played with and the parents simply were too busy to exchange. Why not trade what you have for something you want. Each person is allowed to barter for something they want of equal value. No money is allowed! Only object for object. What if it is a big Item that is much more expensive then the others? Well what about throwing in a service like an evening of free babysitting? With a Potluck Gathering everyone brings something to eat and drink which will take care of the Dinner for that evening and will keep the cost reasonable for everyone. As you see, this can safe you and those participating some money and a bit of headache.

Unused Greeting Card and used Decoration Exchange

I suggest you do this at the end of November or within the first week of December. Many of us have doubles or extra Christmas / Holiday Greeting Cards we didn't use last year. In some cases we have Decorations that are in great condition and we no longer desire. How about organizing a Neighborhood Exchange? Have everyone bring what they have to a central location. For every item or lot of items you can give them a coupon. Have a cut off time at which nothing else gets accepted. Then set up the Items nicely and have each person trade in their coupons for something they want. One coupon = one item. For example you could use green coupons for greeting cards, red coupons for Christmas lights, blue coupons for decorations worth up to X amount of dollars. You get the Idea. When you set the Items up you put them in the color code. This way nobody gets cheated. Since nobody wanted the items to begin with, have everyone agree that the unwanted items are getting donated to a Shelter or Thrift Store. This way, not only are you able to get something for yourself, but also do a good deed in general.

Christmas Cookie Exchange.

Find out how many people are willing to participate and then ask each person to bring one dozen cookies. Each item has to be home made, no store bought products. Once you have everyone together, divide the cookies in such a way that each person has the exact same amount and type of cookies. This way you arrive with a certain type of cookies, but you will leave with different ones but the same amount. This takes a bit of organizing, but you can do it.

Winter Clothes Exchange

Do you have anything you no longer fit or your kids have grown out of, but is in wonderful condition? Why not put on a Neighborhood wide Winter Clothe Exchange. To make sure every person gets what they need you can circulate a size sheet ahead of time and a request of what is needed. This way each person can see what they have and if there will be something they are interested in. Make sure you have people participate that are not out to make problems, but want to be part of a solution.

Baby Sitting Exchange

When more then during the holidays do you need a free night or afternoon from time to time. How about setting up a free Baby Sitting exchange with fellow parents you trust. X amount of hours for X amount of hours with certain black out dates. Let each person know up front which times and dates you have available and which you need covered. Once you have made an obligation you must stick to it.

These are just a couple of simple ideas that can make your life easier and safe you some money. Remember that sometimes working together as a Team and thinking creatively can end up being a lot more economical then going it on your own.