Immediately we each found things we wanted to take home with us. I swapped for some cat slippers for Miss M which she absolutely loves and wears even on these hot hot days. I got a Flightpath book for my father who has a keen interest in planes and then my favourite was a beautiful temp red and black dress which had never been worn.
For the kids I set up magazine bunting decorations, a mat full of things from our recycling (boxes, egg cartons etc) to see where their imagination would take them but we found the most fun in making beautiful snow globes out of baby food jars. It was a great way to reuse them. Here's how they were made....
Snow Globes
* NB Lots of parental assistance is needed with this activity, from handling glass jars to using the super glue.
You will need...
Baby food jars
Water
Glitter
Strong glue like Super Glue - water resistant
Figurine - we used tiny My Little Pony figures
- Super Glue the figurine to the inside of the lid, making sure you have enough room to put it back on the jar. I did this process the night before so they were ready to go.
- Add about a teaspoon of glitter to the inside of the jar.
- Fill the jar almost to the top with water.
- Put Super Glue around the top of the jar and return the lid, screwing it on tightly. Be careful not to spill the glue!
- Keep the jar upright until the glue dries.
There you have it. One very simple but beautiful snow globe.
Hosting a swap party was a lot of fun and it felt good to be reusing items that might otherwise be thrown away or left sitting in a cupboard. I also found it a great way to teach the girls about the three R's - reduce, reuse, recycle. If you're interested in hosting a swap party go to http://www.recyclingweek.planetark.org/ for all the details.
Have you entered the BusyBrissyMum card giveaway? Entries close and winner will be drawn tomorrow, Friday, November 27 @ 9pm. Let me know what item you would choose to giveaway at a swap. Please make sure your name is clearly on your comment.
4 comments:
Hey Amanda,
Just wanted to say that i think the swap party idea is a great one! Esp with kids clothes and toys that they grow out of so quickly...i even still have baby clothes with the tags on them!!
Might have to look up that link, and give it a go!
The swap party idea is wonderful. Yes hold one!!! You'd be able to host a great one Hannah. We had so much girlie fun at ours. My friend went home with almost a new wardrobe - the clothes were so lovely. I'd like to do another one once we've moved. I'm sure to find lots to give away hiding in our packed cupboards.
Having a swap party with friends is a great idea, we had a clothes swap at church which was huge.
I think I might try a smaller version including toys and things.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Lots of fun but worthwhile too. I say this as I sit here wearing my new (second hand)Morrissey shirt from my swap party. You'd like to try a smaller swap party - I'd like tp organise a BIG one next year. He he he! Lots of fun!
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