Last night I hosted my first Kremb de la Kremb SWAP. I learned a few things along the way, so I thought I’d share–just in case you too want to get some people in your community together to exchange your old for their new.
1. Test the idea–First, feel out the idea of a swap amongst your close friends. You are going to want a few people to commit to attending. Relying on your close network of good friends will help you to move forward with a swap. If no one’s interested, then it might just flop.
2. Set a date and send out an invite--at least three weeks out from the day of the swap, send the invitation. Before choosing a day, if possible check the invitees feasible calendars; in this way you will be cautious of what else is happening on this date within your community. I used Evite to create my invitation along with my work’s daily newsletter. For any future swaps I host, I will maybe mix it up adding a Facebook invite as well or even a print invite. Printed invitations state seriousness whereas a mass call may create weariness for attendees. For this swap, I was super inclusive–that’s just the way I am. Next time though, I think I’ll be more strategic and attempt some exclusivity by targeting those that I invite. Finally, the invitation is the place where you can be real clear on what a swap is. Explain the motive behind the party so attendees know what’s expected of them.
3. Weed your own closet–a swap provides an opportunity to clean out a closet. Take it!! I tried to clean my own closet out with several types of people in mind. I look found different styles of clothing–from classy to my boho ways. I looked at my jewellery box, sunglasses, bags, and shoes. I even included a few household items. Mainly you want to make sure that there’s a little something there for everyone, so no one leaves empty handed. Hopefully those who attend will have done the same.
4. Create a menu–hopefully people are using their hands to try on clothes; therefore you want to create a simple menu with finger food. I provided homemade crackers and cut up vegetables (carrots, cucumber, and broccoli) with a ranch dip (sour cream and plain yogurt based–no mayo!). There were little meatballs for the protein lovers. There were also three types of pita pizzas: carmelized onions with blue cheese and mushroom, pesto with mozzarella and cherry tomatoes, and tapenade with arugula and parmesan. I had red and white wine available along with diet coke and soda water. Mainly the point of the menu was everything was done beforehand. The table was laid out, and I was free to help people swap.
5. Prepare a shop–I turned my living room into a little shop. I created to clothing lines where I could hang clothing from hangers. There were storage bins filled with just sweaters, or just pants. I used a lamp to hang bags from and had a storage bin at the base of the lamp filled with more handbags. I displayed jewellery in little boxes with earrings in one, dainty necklaces in another. Mainly, it was identifiable where things went, so when guests arrived they could add their items with little instruction.
Overall the night felt very successful! The ladies who came seemed to enjoy the chance to exchange close plus socialize with each other. Everyone walked away with something. I scored a ribbon pearl belt, two stunning bracelets, a beautiful black, dress-up clutch, plus a pair of grey jeans and pinstriped bermuda shorts. I tried to exchange this adorable baby, but she was off grabs!
Luckily I’ve got my own cute babe!!
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