One of the most amazing things about raising children is how fast they grow out of their clothes, particularly when they are toddlers and preschoolers. It seems that every time you turn around, you’re buying them new things when the old ones seem barely worn. In this time when many of us don’t have more than two nickels to rub together, trading clothes with other families may end up saving us lots of money. If you’d like to host a kid’s clothing swap with your friends or neighbors, here’s what you need to do.

1. Find a group of parents with similar-aged children and make an invitation or evite. Ask each person to bring a nibble or a beverage and a bag or two of clothing or shoes that they are willing to swap. Make sure to emphasize “gently used” to your invitees.

2. Host it in the evening so that childcare doesn’t have to be an issue and you don’t end up with kids under your feet during the event.

3. Borrow some folding tables and clear any surfaces you have in your living room, dining room and family room so that you can make shopping areas. Label each area with a clothing size or size grouping (i.e. infant, toddler, preschooler or 8, 10, 12).

4. Keep the entertainment part simple. Use paper or plastic cups and napkins for your drinks (recycled if you can find them).

5. As guests arrive, have them sort their clothes.

6. When all guests have arrived, have them all pick a number from a hat to determine the order for choosing. You can re-choose numbers each round or go from the lowest to highest, round 1 and then the highest to lowest the next round.

Have fun with your new clothes and use the money you save for a manicure or cute pair of shoes!

Julie Arnheim and Darcy Ratner
Co-Founder, Rubbingnickels.com

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