Back by Popular Demand!

This is to let you know about The 11th Annual Winter Toy Swap. It is coming up very soon, and it is time to start weeding out the toys that you no longer want in your home!

Please Note:

This event is about recycling, keeping things out of the landfill, reducing packaging, saving a little money, charity, and getting great people together to HAVE FUN.

If you are the type of person that is going to be disappointed that you can’t find anything you want, or that this event will “ruin Christmas” for your family, please stay home. This is for FUN and is always a gamble. Visit your local big box store for specific items you absolutely must have. 🙂

VOLUNTEERS are NEEDED. Please PM me if you can help before, and I definitely need help loading and donating leftovers after.

ADMISSION:

*Please bring at least one canned food item for donation to Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry!* or$2-$5 (sliding scale). More is appreciated if you can! All will be donated to those in need.

Where:

The Carver Center, 101 Carver Ave, Black Mountain, NC 28711 (near Lake Tomahawk). This is just 20 minutes or less from downtown Asheville. Easy to find, lots of space, and lots of parking!

What:

Swapping of toys, books, games, videos, DVDs, room decor, cool clothing items, riding toys, bikes, etc…..there is no limit to what you can bring, as long as it is in decent condition. Birth through teen. We would LOVE to see more stuff from older kids this year. More baby items show up because babies outgrow things more quickly (and seem to have more stuff!), but items for teens and tweens are welcome!!!! Please don’t bring anything you are not willing to part with. There are no guarantees that there will be items appropriate for your children, but I don’t think anyone ever left the previous ten swaps unhappy (well except that one bitchy lady who showed up late and complained the whole time). For me, getting rid of stuff is the best part! This is not a clothing swap, but you have something extra special you think a child might enjoy as a gift, you may bring it.

Batteries for electronic items are appreciated, but not required. Please make a note if a toy is not working properly or has missing pieces. There have been complaints about non-working toys (missing batteries at swap and then found to not work when batteries put in). Be cool, Ya’ll!

Label/bag anything that is unclear or has lots of pieces. You can bag up small toys into clear packages for a grab bag if you like. Labeling things for clarity is always appreciated.

How:

RSVP here on facebook so I can have an idea of how much space will be needed. Check for updates online regarding weather cancellations.

Check in time is promptly at 11:00. Please be on time. We will begin swapping at 11:30. We use a fair trade system so that everyone leaves happy. Your items do not need to be marked before you arrive. You can do it easily and quickly when you check in. This year we will not be accepting late comers who arrive after we have started swapping.

Just a little hint: After you have picked out items for your own kids, consider others that you buy for such as nieces, nephews, classroom, preschool, or friends. I was kicking myself last year after the swap for not thinking of that sooner!

PLEASE LEAVE THE KIDS AT HOME. It makes it easier for everyone if kids are not there going through the toys (and seeing their items get taken by other people!). Infants (under 6 months) are welcome. There is a lot of parking and space for everyone (if all spots are filled in the back, you can park in front).

We plan to donate left over toys to various charities and programs. We NEED HELP loading items into our cars at the end. Let me know if you are able to do this. Let us know if you have a charity in mind that we can donate to. I cannot have this event in the future without the help of volunteers at the end.

We are trading items for free. Please consider this when you are ready to pass on your “new to you” toys down the road. GIVE them to someone. They have already been rescued from the system. In other words, let someone else enjoy the gifts for free, don’t sell them. This defeats the purpose of this event. ****You will have very bad Karma if you sell the things you get from this swap. ;)****

Thank you for considering to participate.
Let me know if you have any questions.

Stephanie
phone number available upon request

P.S. feel free to invite other friends who might be interested in an event like this. Just make sure they RSVP!

P.S.S. There will not be a snow date in case of cancellation due to weather. Sorry!