Are you finding your closets and dressers overrun with clothing you don’t wear anymore? Then why not organize a family clothing swap? Organizing a family clothing swap is simple, and the end result is clothing that is new to you and a lot less clutter of items you don’t use. Take a look below at some helpful tips on how to host a family clothing swap in your own home, which is sure to be a hit with your friends. Here is how to get started!
1. Set the date.
Give family and friends advanced notice of the swap. Several weeks is ideal so they have time to go through closets and clean out what they no longer need. Choose a time that works for everyone, either early evening or on a weekend.
2. Set the rules.
Ask that each person bring a dozen or more items to swap. Items should be in gently used condition and free from damage. An assortment of styles, gender, and sizes is always ideal. For each item the person brings, they will get a ticket to get a “new to them” item at the swap. For your swap, you can do a general family clothing swap or focus on just kid’s or adult clothing.
3. Prepare the party.
For your swap you will want to put out card tables for people to set their items up on. You can also offer light snacks, or invite guests to bring a snack to share. Serve simple beverages, put on some music, and get ready to have some fun.
4. Start swapping.
When guests arrive, have them set out their swap items. You can also give them a paper ticket for each item they bring. When it comes time to swap, draw names to see who goes first. The person may choose one “new to them” item. You can then choose another name. Once each person has had a pick, start the picks over so each person can move onto their second pick and so on.
Have plastic shopping bags on hand for guests to take their new to them clothing and accessories with them. They will love having new items to take home, and you will love that you just got rid of items you no longer need.
This type of swap does not have to be limited to family. You can include friends or have a neighborhood clothing swap too.
Give these tips for hosting a family clothing swap a try and see how fun it can be to get rid of the old and bring in some new!
coolchillmom says
February 11, 2015 at 7:17 amThis is a great idea! I never thought of doing this. I just give out the hand me downs. This would be the best way to renew my closet
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
February 11, 2015 at 7:18 amI don’t wear the same size as anyone else in my family, but I raid my best friend’s closet ALL THE TIME. She has more clothes than anyone I know 🙂
Liz Mays says
February 11, 2015 at 11:25 amThis could make for a really fun event. We have never done something like this but it could be a blast with my sister’s family.
aimee fauci says
February 11, 2015 at 11:54 amThis is a fun idea. I normally swap clothes with a mom friend of mine. I get her little girl clothes that are too big for her daughter and she gets my middle child’s clothes.
Kristen from The Road to Domestication says
February 11, 2015 at 12:46 pmThis is a really creative idea! Would be a fun part of a family reunion, too! LOL
Pam says
February 11, 2015 at 1:22 pmWhat a great way to get “new to you” clothes without spending any money! I love the idea of refreshing your closet with a clothing swap.
Heather says
February 11, 2015 at 1:28 pmThat sounds like fun. Clothing swaps are a great way to save and give.
Sarah Bailey says
February 11, 2015 at 2:34 pmI love the idea of this – if only I wore the same size clothes as the rest of my family, hmm guess it could work with friends though too. x
Jeanine says
February 11, 2015 at 5:37 pmThis is fabulous. Never heard of something like this before. I could do this. We have such an incredible amount of never worn clothes or Clothes just sitting.
Donna Ward says
February 11, 2015 at 6:08 pmVery creative and fun idea – always fun to see posts like this – I clean out my closets and shelves every 6 mths to keep it in order and just give a lot away
Alice Chase says
February 11, 2015 at 7:05 pmThis could be a great idea for a fundraiser too. Everyone could just pay a flat entry fee.
Maureen @ A Debt Free Stress Free Life says
February 12, 2015 at 3:50 amThis is a great idea to host your own clothing swap. I think I’might do this.
Ninja Mommers says
February 12, 2015 at 6:54 amThis is GENIUS! I am serious! What a great idea. I am going to have to arrange this for my family.
Chrissy Mazzocchi says
February 12, 2015 at 8:39 amThis sounds like such a great idea! I really need to do this with my Sisters haha
Theresa says
February 12, 2015 at 10:37 amWhat a fun idea! We tend to just pass clothes around to who we think would like them when we are done. Or have a yard sale and tell them to come grab what they want before it gets sold lol.
Ashley Gill says
February 12, 2015 at 12:53 pmThis is absolutely brilliant. It helps with the cost and helps with clutter. AND its a party! Perfect!
Babita says
February 12, 2015 at 6:52 pmYou know Pam I have never done this before. I always donate our clothes to goodwill or one of the organizations that accepts clothing donations. But, this sounds like a great and fun idea.
Janell Poulette says
February 13, 2015 at 7:39 amWhat a great idea. It will save a ton of money on clothes!
Amber Nelson says
February 13, 2015 at 8:00 amThat is very interesting. I think this would be very fun actually!
touristmeetstraveler says
February 13, 2015 at 9:33 amI have never done a family clothing swap before, sounds like a lot of fun and a great way to spend time with family!
Mary O'Malley says
February 13, 2015 at 8:15 pmI think this is a great idea. My family and I are all different sizes or this would be perfect. Though, this could be a fun thing to do for a Girl Scout troop!
LAURA B says
March 14, 2015 at 7:54 amI’m loving this!! Definitely on my to do list!!
Susan Broughton says
March 18, 2015 at 12:59 pmThis sounds like a great idea! I don’t think it would be as much work as a yard sale because it wouldn’t last so long.
Lily@IW says
March 19, 2015 at 9:07 amThis would be fun. Like others, my family is spread out in ages and different ages. I can see a big family having a good time with this.