How to Host a Swap Meet Party
Swap meets are a fun way to exchange items with friends. You can swap clothes, furniture, accessories, housewares, books, tools or anything else. Swap meets are good for your budget, because you can get things you need or want for free or for cheap. They are also good for the environment, because you avoid throwing things away. Make it even more fun by turning it into a party.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
To be environmentally friendly, send out electronic invitations instead of paper ones. You can just send an email or use a free online invitation service. The invitation should say whether your swap meet party is just for clothes, just for housewares or are there no restrictions. Keep in mind that you will need an empty space to host the party, so limit the items or friends you invite per the amount of space you have available. Consider clearing out your garage for extra space.
Set the rules for the swap meet. Will everything be free or will people put prices on their items?
You may want to ask everyone to bring a side dish, appetizer, drink or dessert to the party to go with whatever food your provide.
-
2
Go through all of your items in your closets, basement, garage and attic. Decide what you want to offer at the swap meet. Organize your items by type, size or season.
-
-
3
Set up your home, or other place where you're holding the swap-party with tables or bins for your items and your guests' items. If there are larger items available, such as furniture or large appliances, you may want to leave those pieces where they are and just provide photos and descriptions, including dimensions.
Don't forget to set up a table for food and drinks.
-
4
As people arrive at the swap meet, ask them to put their items down and browse the other items while eating and drinking. No swapping should occur until everyone has arrived. You might mention in your invitation to arrive starting at a certain time, such as 7:00, and the swapping will begin promptly at a certain time, such as 7:30.
-
5
Put items that are left at the end of the night into boxes or garbage bags and take them to a local charity or donation center after the party.
-
6
Consider making this a yearly or biyearly event.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Creatas/Creatas/Getty Images
