Clothing Swaps: Behind The Scenes At My Invites
I wrote about my clothing swaps in today’s Austin American-Statesman, but if you aren’t on my list for the swap invites, you may not have seen what goes out to my guests.
Here are some of the ways I’ve hornswaggled people into coming to my swaps over the last year! If you want to throw a swap of your own, feel free to use my material, or improvise on my themes:
From the upcoming Make Way For Christmas
The holidays are coming, but that doesn’t bring much joy if you can’t find room for the tree!
So bring your faded tinsel, your nativity scene missing the baby Jesus, last year’s party dresses and the presents you got from your ex. Let go of the books you’ve read, the albums that you’re over and the scratchy swag from the ghosts of conferences past.
Even though this event has “Christmas” in the tile, you are welcome to decommission your dreidel and K6 your Kwanzaa decor.
Liberate last season’s handbag and the shoes that always give you a blister.
In return, come collect the planter that didn’t match someone else’s bathroom and the high heels that fit YOU perfectly!
There will be a prize for the fuglist Christmas/ holiday sweater swapped at this event!
You don’t have to bring anything to come to the swap, as we always have SO MANY THINGS that people liberate from their closets.
As usual, no money changes hands at this event, and it’s for ladies only! Children are welcome, but boys who are old enough to be left home alone will consider this event dull.
All the swap leftovers will be donated to charity, usually the Top Drawer Thrift Shop.
From: Escape From Clutter Mountain
It’s that time again…the time to liberate yourself from the clutter that lurks in your closets and on your shelves! So bring those pants that have always been too short, and that ULGY shirt you were gifted by someone who loves you very much!
This week I found a classic handbag that I bought in the 90s and I think I’ve used once, so it’s destined for the swap!
This time we’re adding a “books and beauty” challenge, so bring that shampoo that left your hair flat and that perfume that smelled funny on you when you got it home! Liberate those books you’ve read and those you’ll never finish!
As is traditional, snacks and wine will be served, and no money changes hands. If you don’t have anything to swap, come by and hang out and help crowdsource an answer to the question “What do you think” when someone tries on an outfit and wants to know what people think!
This is an WOMEN ONLY event, and feel free to bring your female friends and relatives. Children welcome, though you must take home the same ones you brought! (Small boys who have already started school will likely find this event way too lame for them!)
As usual, all the leftovers will go to charity! I’ll take most everything to Top Drawer Thrift, and the beauty/grooming products to Casa Marianella (where they know me, and I’ve given beauty and grooming things before!)
From Ladies Clothing and Thingee Swap, Summer Swag Edition
LADIES ONLY! It’s time for another installment of : how do I still have all the things I NEVER wear or use? This is the summer and travel edition!
So bring the cute fur hat you bought on holiday in Gonawanaland, the decorative plates you got in D.C., and the wrap you bought on a beach vacation fifteen years ago…and haven’t worn since.
Also bring the ill-fitting suits from the job you no longer have, the pants that never fit right, and the super-cute shoes that rub a blister on your heel.
You are welcome to bring non-clothing things–like books and coffeepots. If it’s too large to fit in the backseat of a car, it’s too large for the swap!
As usual, no money changes hands, and all the leftovers go to charity!
Kids are welcome, but please let us know in the comments if you are maybe bringing them, so other people with kids will know what to plan!
You are welcome to bring female friends who’d like to reduce their clutter!
