Have you ever hosted a clothing swap party? My cousin, Sadie and I each have three kids and they’re all only a few months apart. We’ve been trading hand me downs since they were little babies because, let’s be honest, buying new clothes for your kids gets expensive! On top of that, throwing clothes out isn’t great for the environment, which is another reason we swap – for its sustainability impact. Did you know in one-year, North Americans sent 10.5 million tonnes of clothes to landfills? With how quickly our kids grow, keeping their clothing in good condition is really important to help our family swap. It makes me feel better knowing we’re handing down clothes in good condition. For us, when washing clothes, we use Tide and Downy Fabric Conditioner since together it helps keep clothing looking newer 50% longer, and helps us get more value out of our kids’ clothes. Downy is specially formulated to protect from stretch, fade and fuzz that’s why this combo helps protect our kids’ clothing so they can be worn, re-worn and handed down and not worn out and thrown out too soon!
With our little people growing like weeds, it seems like every other month they’re in a new size. I’m sure all parents can relate, that it’s the worst feeling when you spend money on a cute, kids’ outfit and they grow out of it after only one or two wears. So it’s nice to see it passed on to someone else to get enjoyment out of it AND help contribute to a better planet. Win, Win!
I decided to host a Hand-Me-Downy Kids’ Clothing Swap Party and create more of a “shopping experience” since it makes it way more fun! Downy sent me a curated swap kit to help get the party started. It was filled with cute, functional items like a clothing line and old-fashioned clothes pins, a party banner, a reusable laundry bag, rapid clothing repair kit and of course Downy Fabric Conditioner.
For my swap party I wanted it to feel more like a shopping experience. Before the party started, we all made sure to check each item to make sure everything was in good swapping shape! I encourage everyone to always add Downy to the wash. It really helps keep the clothes stay in great condition when it’s time for swapping! Folding everything ahead of time is also helpful!
When it came time to set up for the party we laid the clothes out and separated them by size and season to keep things organized, making it easier to find what you need. Of course, a party wouldn’t be a party without light bites so I prepared and set out appies! Once everything was set up we went through all the clothes and picked out all the items we each liked and needed.
It’s really important for us to continue passing items along to others even after our kids have outgrown them. After we finished selecting the items we all needed, we created a “donate pile” so we can bring what’s left to others who could really use it and continue the garments life cycle even more. Knowing how much clothing ends up in landfills every year, we like to donate what we can to others and help those in need. It makes me feel good knowing our clothing is getting as much wear as possible.
So what do you think? Are you up for hosting a Hand-Me-Downy Kids’ Clothing Swap Party? Downy has offered my readers a coupon HERE to get $2-off your next bottle. If you host a party I’d love to hear how it turned out and the clothes you scored from friends and family!
Would you like to win a swap kit so that you can get started on your own party? I’m giving away two kits valued at $170 CAD each! To enter just comment on this blog post and let me know who you’d invite to your clothing swap party! Contest ends May 31 2018.
I would invite my friends and family members to my clothing swap party! I think its a good idea!
I would definitely invite my best friends to a clothing swap . Guaranteed to be a good time .
I would invite my friends
I would invite my niece and nephew and some neighborhood kiddos that are friends with my son. Kids grow so fast. Such a good idea.
What a wonderful Idea! I would invite ladies from work, some close friends and ask them to spread the word to their friends as well!
I would invite all the volunteers at the thrift store.
This would be perfect for our Grandson and all of my cousins grandchildren. They are all of varying age now and we could combine a mini reunion with the practicalities of re-using clothes.
I would invite my sisters and cousins t come.
i would invite a few of my neighbors and my sisters one of which who has 5 grandkids 🙂
I would invite friends and family to my clothing swap that wore the same sizes as me.
I would put an ad in the paper and advertising that there will be a swap of clothing for children and grown up. this way you get to meet new friends and you get to pick from different ages category. children grow up so fast this way parent save money and the children get what they need and parent might to. win win situation
What a great idea!! I would invite family, friends and neighbors.
I would invite parents to the party. Children outgrow their clothing so quickly.
I would invite my friends
The kids from the neighbourhood as it would be a great opportunity to get to know the parents
I would invite a mix of friends who have nice clothes and those who need nice clothes.
I think a Kid Clothes swapping party is a great idea! They do grow so fast and have clothes that they hardly have worn. I would invite my neighbours and god children who all have kids under 12.
I would invite the whole neighbourhood. this way u get to meet all of your neighbours and you get to swap clothes. it is a win win situation
Is invite my fiancée– that way he can do the laundry 😉
I would invite my high school and university friends to my clothing swap because we all have similar tastes in clothes!
I would invite my girlfriends
I would invite all my friends that have young children. It would be really beneficial to pass along old clothes instead of everybody buying new ones frequently.
I would invite my best mom friends and enjoy the time we would get to spend together…hard to find that time when you’re a mom! Thanks for the chance!! 🙂
Swapping kids clothes is a great idea. I have 4 kids and I can get pretty expensive. Not only is it great on the pocket book, it is also good for the environment. I would Invite all of my mom friends and my sister in law.
I will invite my family to the party
I’d ask my cousins and coworkers with kids to come join.
I would invite my neighbors over. What a great idea. Thank you for the idea.
I would invite my friends and family
The more the merrier!!
I would invite my daughters
I would invite my friend Joyce, she loves doing laundry!
I would invite my friends, family and neighbours. It would be lots of fun!
I’d invite my family and a few close friends.
I’d invite my 3 closest friends as we all live close to one another and it would be a nice hangout as one is moving to Seattle in the fall and another to Montreal!
I’d invite friends from work, and the friends I have in my life. This would be a lot of fun! It’s such a good idea – fun, and good for the environment. Thanks for the chance.
What a great idea! I have clothing that’s still in good shape, but I’m tired of. Why not swap with family and friends? Great idea! I’m doing this!! I’m inviting my Mom and her friends and I’ll have to find some people to invite that are plus-sized for me. 🙂
I would invite my friends.
Oh gosh – this would be great. I have a very tall 7-year-0ld and while we do our best to try and pass things along it isn’t always easy to remember who needs what!
I would invite all the moms and dads from our school council to my clothing swap party! What a NEAT idea. Kids grow SO fast!
Thanks!
I would invite my friends and family members to my clothing swap party! I think its a good idea!
I would invite my friends.
I would invite my friends and neighbours.
I would invite some of my cousins, this is great.
I’d invite my friends 🙂
I would invite co-workers and my sister-in-laws.
Definitely the moms in my little circle. What a great idea
A clothing swap party is such a a good idea! I would invite my best friends 😛 hehe. Thank you for the awesome giveaway!
I would invite friends and family and neighbours this is such as great idea
I would invite my friends.
Work friends, family and I would add a charitable theme too msybeveveryone bring new pack of underwear’s for shelters
I have lots of family and friends living near, would invite the ones that have the same taste as myself.
my book club. they’re such fun girls.
my homeschool moms group this would be a great idea
Know lots of young moms who would love to come to something like this
I currently live in an apartment building full of moms and kids so I’d invite some of my neighbours – would be a great get to know each other event. I love the idea of passing on clothes to other Moms!
I would invite my friends and family
I would invite my family and a few friends.
I’d invite the girls in my barbershop chorus. It’s always nice to try new styles, and we’re a real mixture.
What an amazing idea! I would invite friends and family!
I would invite all of my mom-friend/neighbours!
I would invite my Facebook friends anď meet people I have not met before sounds so fun
I love the idea of swapping clothing
I would invite friends and family.
What a neat idea! I would invite my sisters and friends 🙂
A clothing swap party would be fun
This is great idea. I’d invite friends and family.
This sounds like such a fun idea. I would invite my fellow Mommy friends.
I would invite my family (including in-laws) to my party!
I would invite all my cousins and in-laws
I would invite the parents in my neighbourhood. There is such a wide range of kids ages around here so I’m sure a swap would work very well.
Love this idea! I would have a swap party with my sister and our neighbours, we all have girls! Thanks for the chance to win!
I’d invite my friends and family and any of my neighbors who would be interested in coming.
I would invite my closest friends from work, this is a great idea 🙂
I would invite my friends and my neighbours.
i would definitely invite my friends, my sis and my mom
I would like to bring my sister, mom and mother-in-law!
id invite all my pals!
I would invite my sisters and sister in law .
I would invite my sisters, my cousins, my best girl friends, some of my work colleagues and maybe ask people to bring along one of their own friends or family members.
I would invite all of my bff and we do some shopping till we drop at no cost
I would invite my friends.
I would invite my mom, sister, and some close gfs and neighbours!
I would invite all my family and friends.
I would invite all my family and friends!
I would invite my siblings and their kids. We all swap clothes all the time
Great idea! I would invite all my friends and neighbours!
I would have a street party
I would take my bestie.
I would invite all my friends that have kids. A swap would help all of us. Great way to not waste clothes.
I would invite my bestie and my sister ^^ I love their styles 🙂 Mine can be a bit too “out there” for them, sometimes 😛