How to Host a Swap Party And Shop at No Cost to You

I love to shop! I mean, come on now, I'm a chick. And what chick doesn't love a good bargain or a great pair of shoes? You may have heard of a new, crazy, innovative trend that has women all over the country swapping their goods for someone else's! It's a swap party and they are so easy to host, and tons of fun to be a part of!

The basic concept of a swap party is to gather all the clothes, shoes, purses, jewelry and accessories that you have not worn in 2 years or more, or know you won't be wearing in the future and take it to a friend's house to trade with all your fashion-forward friends! This is a great way to expand your own wardrobe as well as get rid of some of those things you never wear anymore!

There are a few rules to holding a swap party. If you are interested in hosting a party, or even getting the ball rolling with your friends who may want to host one, this is the article for you! Read on for great tips and ideas for having a "swap 'til you drop" good time!

As with any gathering, you first need to invite people to join you! Decide on a casual way of inviting your friends. If you are holding a themed swap party (such as just black and white clothing, holiday, just purses, etc.) design your invitation around that. A group email may be the swiftest course of action for getting the word out, but check out your local craft store or dollar store for invitations that meet your needs.

When you are wording your invites, keep them light and casual; this is a party after all! Be sure to include all the usual information such as date and time, and specify the type of clothing you are looking for: gently used, clean and pressed, etc. Let your friends know that you will provide a place for them to try things on as well as have a full-length mirror available.

Decide how extensive you want your party to be. Will there be food available? Perhaps each of your friends can contribute a small snack and you, as host, will provide the wine. Think about the comfort of your friends and make your decisions based on space, convenience and cost to you.

You should have a bright open space for laying out everyone's clothes. How you do this is up to you (and of course the kind of space you are dealing with). Can you hang a tension bar to hang dresses on? Is there adequate space for everyone to move around among the clothing? The best course of action is to have each girl set up her own station, arranged by article and size, so that you know where each item is coming from and there is no confusion. Then you can shop around to each of your friend's "departments." Be sure they have plenty of room to spread the clothing out for inspection. Designate items according to value: bargain finds, moderately priced, and high-end.

You will want a large array of styles and sizes. The more people you invite to your party, the more selection you will have. Be sure the clothing is marked with a size and if it is slightly more gently used (missing a button, needs a small repair, etc) let everyone know!

In the event a swap isn't possible during your party, allow your guests to exchange items however they decide. Maybe cash is the best answer; buying a piece rather than swapping it. Perhaps there are other items of interest, such as a pair of shoes or a pretty necklace. Make sure your guests know that there are other options to swapping clothes.

Have shopping bags ready for your guests to take their new items home. Also, be sure to thank everyone for coming and help them clean up their stations.

Having a swap party is a great alternative to spending next week's paycheck at the mall. You have the benefit of multiple styles and sizes, the time you are spending with your girlfriends and in the end you may have made a little more room in the back of you closet. When your party is over, any clothing that your friends no longer want should be bagged and taken to a Salvation Army or women's shelter. Have fun, expand your wardrobe ... you'll spend no money and you may even be able to contribute to a worthy charity!

Swap 'til you drop!