What to Include in a Clothes Swap

A clothes swap is a great way to get together with friends and family, unwind after a long week at work and enjoy each other's company as you look through everyone's clothes. It can also save you money by exchanging items you no longer wear. What should you include in a clothes swap?

Offer Snacks to Guests

Treat the clothes swap as you would any other social gathering by offering snacks to guests. But be careful about offering a lot of finger food. After all, you would not want clothes to be handled by hands that have been indulging in sticky, gooey snacks. Offer snacks that will not stain clothes, such as devilled eggs, pretzels and pita chips. Stay away from chocolate, and fruit snacks, unless they are eaten with a fork.

Entertain the Children

Young children who are in attendance may not be as excited as you at coming along to a clothes swap, so be sure to keep an eye on them and to set aside games and playtime for them. That way, they can interact with their peers and they will not be tempted to handle the clothes or get in the way as you search for new items.

Keep it Simple

There is no need to enforce rigid rules for the clothes swap, such as insisting that guests exchange one outfit or that they can only take the same amount as they have donated for the clothes swap. Keep the clothes swap lighthearted and fun, otherwise guests will feel restricted and less likely to come to any other clothes swaps you host in future.

If there are a lot of clothes and you are unable to get to them all at once, rotate with friends and family so that others also get a chance to host a clothes swap at their home.

Donate a Bag

At the end of the clothes swap, you are likely to have clothes left hanging up on the clothes rail. Rather than put these back in your wardrobe or return them to friends and family, set aside these leftover clothes to donate to a local charity of your choice or to a homeless shelter that could do with some extra clothes. That way, you will be helping out others in need.

Hosting or attending a clothes swap can be a fun way for friends and family to get together and help each other out. Clothes swaps can help save you and others money, but you can still come away from the clothes swap with a number of gently used items that will suit you or your family. Keep the occasion informal and fun by offering snacks to guests, keeping the rules simple and then setting aside leftover clothes to donate to charity.