Swap Your Way to New Stuff: Swap Party Themes and Hosting Tips

In this article: Tips for hosting swap parties that can enable you and your friends to treat yourselves to new-to-you stuff without spending any money.

by Andrea Norris-McKnight

Swap parties are a fun and eco-friendly way to exchange goods. You invite friends to bring a certain number of gently used items that fit a specific theme, like kitchen items or kids’ toys. Then, you swap with other guests. You can also ask everyone to bring a snack to share, and you provide the drinks. The result is a low-cost, enjoyable evening where everyone goes home with something new.

Keep reading for some popular swap party themes to try and some rules to make your party a success.

Swap Party Themes

Below are some popular swap themes that might inspire you to try something unique.

• Clothing Swap: A clothing swap is a popular party theme, but you can also tailor it to your needs in various ways.
• Book Swap: If you love books, this swap is a great way to discover new authors and genres.
• Toy Swap: For families with kids, a toy swap is a great way to refresh their toy collection without buying new ones.
• Plant Swap: Gardening enthusiasts can exchange cuttings, seeds, potted plants, tools and accessories.
• Art Supplies Swap: Artists and crafters can swap unused materials like paints, brushes, yarn, fabric, beads and more.
• Home Decor Swap: Invite participants to bring gently used home decor items, such as vases, frames, small furniture, lamps or wall art, to exchange.

• Kitchen Swap: Bring kitchen gadgets, cookbooks, specialty ingredients or homemade items like preserves to swap with fellow foodies and cooks.
• Board Game/Card Game Swap: Gamers can trade in games they no longer play for new ones to enjoy.
• Accessories Swap: Fashionistas can exchange jewelry, scarves, hats, belts and bags to refresh their style.
• Holiday Decorations Swap: Update your holiday decor by swapping unwanted items for new ones, including Halloween costumes, with fellow attendees.
• Sports and Fitness Gear Swap: Athletes and fitness enthusiasts can trade in workout clothes, sports equipment, yoga mats and more.

Swap Party Rules

To ensure your swap party is enjoyable and fair, establish the rules for your guests to follow beforehand. Here are some general rules and guidelines for hosting or participating in a swap party, which you can always modify as needed. The key is that guests understand the rules before they commit to bringing items to the party.

Specify the condition and number of items attendees should bring to participate.

For instance, for a clothing swap, ask for gently used, clean clothing with no significant damage. If it’s a seasonal swap, specify cold- or warm-weather clothing. Encourage guests to bring items in good condition — things they’d be proud to give to a friend, not just items they want to get rid of.

Also, decide how many items each person should bring. The more items, the better the swap, but you don’t want to ask guests to bring too many. The number may depend on the number of guests.

Organize the space for easy browsing.

Arrange the items in a way that’s easy to view. If applicable, organize them by category. For example, you could categorize clothing by type (tops, pants, dresses, etc.), size or color.

For a clothing swap, provide a space where guests can comfortably try on clothes. A bathroom works, or you can set up a temporary changing area with a screen or curtains.

Determine how the swapping will work.

You could have a free-for-all, but using a token system (each item gets you a token to exchange for a new item) or taking turns is more organized. You can also draw numbers to determine the order in which guests get to select items per round. If guests bring five items, you can do five rounds of picking items and choose a new order per round.

Decide what to do with unclaimed items.

As the pickings get slimmer, some guests will pass rather than choose an item in the final few rounds of swapping. These leftover items can be donated to a charity, or guests can take back what they brought. Once again, it’s best to inform guests beforehand if you plan to donate items.

What Type of Swap Party Will You Host?

Remember, a successful swap is about more than just getting new things – it’s also about being sustainable, building a community and having fun! Turning it into a social event with light snacks and music helps create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. To ensure a successful event, set clear guidelines on the condition and type of items to be swapped.

Related:

• Flipping Thrift Store Items for Extra Cash
• The Many Ways You Can Barter Your Way to Savings

Reviewed January 2025

About the Author

Andrea Norris-McKnight took over as the editor of The Dollar Stretcher and After 50 Finances after working under the site founder and previous editor for almost 15 years. She has also written for Money.com, GOBankingRates.com, HavenLife.com and The Sacramento Bee.