freecycle party...

two halloweens ago, we threw what in my humble opinion was the most fabulous party of all time. (i'll let you be the judge of whether i get out much...) in the backyard was a low-key halloween party: we bought loads of pumpkins, borrowed sharp knives from neighbors, and, fueled by a little keg of pumpkin beer, held a very competitive pumpkin carving contest. i don't remember all the entries, but there was a great sarah-palin-o'lantern, an impressive carving of the l.a. dodgers logo, and a hilariously disgusting sick-o'lantern, with x's for eyes and a mouth spewing pumpkin innards.

meanwhile, a secondary party was going on in the garage: a freecycle party! we asked everyone we invited to go through their belongings and box up and bring those items they didn't want, need, or use anymore. for example, in my case, i often have things that i don't use anymore, or that i even actively want to give away, but i'm not yet ready to drop them into that dark anonymous hole that is the thrift store drop off. when i still have a connection to something, or it has some sentimental value, i want to first try to find a home for it with someone i know. perhaps this is a disguised unwillingness to really let go, but i don't really care- if i can ease the process of downsizing for myself, i'll do it.

so, in preparation for the party, we arranged blankets and tapestries on the garage floor, and as people arrived, they unloaded the bags & boxes they'd brought onto the floor. people brought a great array of fun stuff to give away: dishware, pots & pans, frames, games, clothes, a working tv, books, appliances, etc. by the time everyone arrived, the garage looked like a thrift store, and throughout the course of the evening people would go rummage through and take things they wanted- basically it was like shopping for free. i ended up finding a fabulous stovetop cappucino maker that i use to this day, and so many of my things were able to find happy new homes.

after everyone left, there was still a ton of stuff in the garage, so we boxed everything up, put it out on the driveway, and called salvation army the next day to come pick it up. it was every bit the success i'd hoped, and i wanted to share the idea with all of you. it's a fun way to shed stuff before a move or after a big spring cleaning, and i'll take any excuse to throw a party...