Book Swap Parties for Savings and Fun
Nov 17 2010 02:00 PM | Tricia Meyer in House, Heart, & Home
I have always loved reading, but in the past two years I have become more than an avid book reader. The books that I read have become the basis for many of the conversations that I have with my friends. Yet, reading can actually be an expensive habit. You can check out books from your local library, but if you are addicted to series books, it’s hard to wait for the library to get them. Also, it’s more fun to read the same books as your friends so that you can discuss them. My solution? Book swap parties.Book swap parties are great for many reasons. First of all, they are a way to get together with friends that is fun but doesn’t require money. No shopping is involved or expensive dinners out. Second, they give you a chance to see and hear what other people are reading to get new ideas for yourself. Lastly, you can get something for your old books that is actually worthwhile—new books!
Book swap parties can take a couple of different forms. The easiest is to tell all of your friends to bring books that they do not mind giving up. As they come to the party, they drop off their books in a central location. After everyone arrives, you spread out all of the books and let everyone take 1 for each 1 that they arrived with. Everyone goes home with a variety.
The other type of book swap party is a little bit harder but solves the problem of people wanting their books back. When everyone arrives they should write their name and email address inside the front cover of the book. Guests then look through the books and essentially “borrow” them from the owner for a set period of time. You either arrange another party for a set date for trade back (2-3 months) or let everyone return them to each other as they finish them.
One nice touch to the book swap party is to have everyone bring a list of their favorite books as well, even if they are not bringing the books themselves. Also, each person can bring an appetizer so that the cost of the party doesn’t all become the burden of the hostess. Get creative and have fun with it!
Tricia Meyer is an attorney, blogger, affiliate marketer, wife, and mother of two daughters. Her cash back site Sunshine Rewards helps moms save money with coupons and shopping rebates. Her newest venture, Hunger Games Fan, combines her love of deals with pop culture.
1 Comments
Eva Rosenberg
23 November 2010 - 02:07 PM
What a fabulous idea, Tricia!
And it sounds like such fun.
I did something like this, long distance with friends who have moved away.
It kept us actively in touch, mailing each other our books, and giving something more to talk about than - "how are you doing?"
It was also an excellent substitute for wasteful expenditures on gifts neither of us really wanted or needed. After all, you can gift-wrap used books and videos just as easily as you can silly little chachkes (knick knacks).
We also started doing something like this once with some friends who are writers.
Writers are also avid readers.
We should revive the custom. Thanks for reminding me.
Hugs
Eva
And it sounds like such fun.
I did something like this, long distance with friends who have moved away.
It kept us actively in touch, mailing each other our books, and giving something more to talk about than - "how are you doing?"
It was also an excellent substitute for wasteful expenditures on gifts neither of us really wanted or needed. After all, you can gift-wrap used books and videos just as easily as you can silly little chachkes (knick knacks).
We also started doing something like this once with some friends who are writers.
Writers are also avid readers.
We should revive the custom. Thanks for reminding me.
Hugs
Eva
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