Hosting a kid’s clothing swap is a savvy way to add new-to-you items to your children’s wardrobe, while creating a fun and free get together with your mom friends. Our simple how-to guide will help you create an event that is sure to gain the attention and accolades of your tribe.
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1. Save the Date & Pick the Space
Depending on the season of swap you are hosting, there may be breaks from school or weekend dates that are best for all. If the majority of your guests are SAHMs, hosting the swap during school hours may make it easier for more to attend. Setting the date no less than two weeks in advance is a good guideline to ensure your guests have the time to gather items to swap and arrange for childcare if needed.
The size of your swap can also affect how you’ll want to coordinate details. If the swap is among a small group of moms with similarly aged children, host the swap in your home and throw a movie on for the kids while the moms shop. If you are organizing a larger event for a mixed crowd, like a church or neighborhood, meeting at a park or renting an event room at the local library may be best.
If you decide to host your swap in a public space, make sure to check for permission or pavilion rental requirements. Consider partnering with a local restaurant that offers a meeting space so that moms can take turns shopping and grabbing a quick bite to eat. The cafe may even offer a special discount to your group in exchange for bringing in more business during a slower time of day for the restaurant. Shopping savvy knows no bounds!
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2. Set the Rules
Establish a few rules for the swap, and include them in your invite. This will ensure that everyone knows what to expect. While each event can be tailored to your group’s needs, the following guidelines are a great starting point.
- Pick a number of items to bring :: Ask your guests to commit to bringing a specific number of items to the event. Establish a range of minimum and maximum items to bring to make sure that there is ample room for everyone to arrange their contributions on the table.
- Set standards on conditions :: Setting a standard for the items helps minimize disappointments. Only gently used or excellent condition items should be brought to the swap. All clothing items should be freshly laundered and pockets checked for personal items before exchange. Finding a tissue in your new-to-you clothing is a surefire way to sour the swap.
- Bring reusable bags :: Encourage guests to bring their own reusable bag. This will help lessen any trash clean up after the event. Elevate the exchange by asking guests to bring a few gently used gift bags. Pass them around and shop! Everyone leaves with shopping bags like they want on a little shopping spree, and gets a few new party bags to repurpose.
- Be specific about what people should bring :: Establish a theme for your swap to set the tone. Does a kids clothing swap also include coats or rainboots? You can make it an “anything goes” swap or limit items to specific seasons or even sports gear or uniforms.
- Establish a system :: One of the easiest ways to manage the exchange of clothes is to hand out tickets or tokens for every item of clothing people bring. Once guests have made their selections, they can “check out” with their tickets. Extra tickets can be gifted back to a lottery pot or used as a bartering chip if two people want to exchange items but disagree on value.
3. Sort Your Items
Encourage guests to allocate a box in their home for items they will bring to the swap. This makes a convenient sorting station during the days leading up to the event, and also makes quick work of getting everything out of the house on swap day.
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4. Create the Space
Allocate an entry way table as a check-in station where guests will exchange their items for tickets.
Once items are received, they can be stationed on folding tables or rolling wardrobes. There is no need to buy anything new. In fact, ask guests to bring folding tables or lawn chairs to use as hanging stations.
If the event is outside, string a line between trees, use a shade umbrella for a hanging area, and glam up a soccer tent as a pop-up changing room.
Encourage your guests to confirm their children’s measurements, and provide a measuring tape at the swap.
5. Have a Post-Swap Plan
Once the clothing swap is over, you will probably end up with extra stuff without a new home. Plan ahead by calling local charities that offer pick up services, or ask everyone to help bag extras and load into cars for drop off at the local charity shop or thrift store.
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Local nonprofits like Denton County Friends of the Family are happy to take gently used clothing items for its resale shop, Upscale Resale. Providing your unwanted items in good condition gives hope to families in need while providing an opportunity for your little ones to see the impact their closets can make.
