This past weekend, a friend of mine decided to clean out her closet, and as a result I am now the owner of six pairs of new (well new to me) jeans.
As great as cleaning out your closet is, it can sometimes be boring. Hosting a clothing swap party or free store are two ways that help spice up this often mundane task.
Throwing a clothing swap party is very similar to throwing a potluck. All you need to do is invite a group of friends over and tell them to bring any clothes they wouldn't mind giving away. Don't forget about drinks, snacks, and maybe even dinner.
At the party, all the clothes are thrown into a big pile, and everyone tries on items and takes home what they like. All the stragglers can be donated to the Salvation Army, Good Will, or any other charity.
A free store is roughly the same concept as a clothing swap party, but a little larger and a little less intimate.
Last summer, a group of my friends arranged to have a free store at their house. They transformed a large basement room into an actual store. The store was open all weekend, and they advertised it like you would a yard sale.
People trickled in and out all weekend, taking items they knew they would use. They were also encouraged to leave items to contribute to the store. Again, like the clothing swap party, left over items were donated.
Whatever you choose to do, clothing swap parties and free stores are a great way to de-clutter your life, have fun with friends, and avoid getting caught up in the hassles of a price tag.
Have you ever hosted a clothing swap party or free store? Do you have any tips for making it a success?