How to run a clothing swap

Everything that clothed my daughter when she was a baby was usually brand new. Now with three kids, new is not normally the option. Thankfully between consignment sales, yard sales, and thrift shops I clothe my children (and myself) affordabley. Gosh they grow quick!

But if your town is so small that you do not have a local sale or shop, playgroups can still save the dollar by having a clothing swap! Here is a how to:

• Let you members know as you would traditionally. They need to know what they can bring (or can't), how they should seperate it, and when and where to bring it. Be sure to let them know if they can or cannot take home their belongings if no one takes them (my suggestion is that you have a donation pick up after the swap; if they were willing to give them away to someone in the playgroup, then they should be willing to give them away otherwise. It makes it easier on you this way--you'll find out why below.)
• Determine how much space you need and what areas will be for what colthes. Should there be divisions of girls and boys? Should infant colthing be seperated by months?
• Have clear markings the day of where items should be placed. Have enough room for each pile--twice. A space to hold the items, and a place to put them as moms dig through the pile.
• Make sure to have garbage bags on hand- the moms will probably bring bags for their items, but it's good to have some just incase they wind up getting more.
• If there are concerns about keeping the swap fair, each memeber can take only the amount of item they bring in. Most of the time, moms wind up taking much less.
• Decide who gets what turn. In cookie swaps I've been too, we take turns looking in the pile by drawings. The first drawing (in order of birthdates) everyone picks one item. The second drawing (in order of oldest child) everyone picks two items. etc......

Once everyone has a fill of items, the remainder can be donated or saved (for a yard sale fundraiser or for the next swap).