DSD: Swap Party Edition

Hiya, Folks! This week's edition of DSD didn't actually take place in a Dollar Store. Go figure!

It took place at a SWAP PARTY! 

And what's better than stuff that costs a buck or two? 

Stuff that costs NOTHING!

Have you ever heard of a Swap Party before? I had always wanted to join one but never had the chance, but since moving to Bville I've been to TWO. Lucky Me!

Basically the eye-deer behind swap parties is that you collect all of the crap you don't want (old clothes you're bored of/don't fit anymore, house accessories you're bored of/don't match anymore, kids toys/clothes your kids are bored of/don't fit anymore, etc.) and you throw them in a bag or a bin (one bag/bin max) and you lug 'em over to your friends (or friend of a friends') house, eat some meatball hors d'oeurves, swig back some wine zinfandel and swap your little heart out!

It's actually quite fun, and you generally get to meet new people which is always a blast!

You know that saying, "One man's junk is another man's treasure"? Well the swap party totally makes that a reality!

Here are the rules: 

1. One Box/Bag limit per person

2. Each person takes their turn showing the items that they've brought. Generally you provide a story about the item (how you got it, something special about it and/or why you're giving it away) and then the other swap party people will raise their hands, jump out of their chairs or just generally yell that they would like the item.

3. If more than one person wants the item up for grabs, then the competing "grabbers" have to either model the item runway style or explain why they deserve the item more. Alternatively, if one person's "take home" pile is larger than the others, then the person with the smaller pile gets the item up for grabs.

4. If no one wants the item up for grabs because it's a. ugly, b. not the right size/style for anybody in the room or c. broken, it gets put into a pile in the middle of the floor that will be donated to a charity or doorstep of someone you all mutually dislike. (The person who brought the item also has the option to take it home with them again if nobody wants it.)

5. Whatever clothes/accessories you get in your pile must be tried on/modelled for pictures that will be saved for posterity/blackmail later on.

Sounds like a good time, doesn't it?

Here are some pics from our swap party!

Holy crud. That's a really pretty wreath, right?

I heart mirrors. Especially free mirrors.

Mint Condition Boy Toys in the box? Looks like Christmas wrapables to me!

L to R: Clinique Clarifying Wash (new); Ice Cream Cone Plates x 12; Veet Wax Strips (newish);
"Thinking of You" notes; Gingerbread Cake Pan (New in Wrap!); Candle Holder; Xmas Tree Cake Pan (new!);
and a Xmas Candle (new!!!)

Some pretty new jean capris from Old Navy in my sad size. :/

I think I'm going to have one of these in the coming months, so if you're in the area and want to join, let me know! :)