Spring is the perfect time to declutter your home and make spring cleaning much easier. So, make sure to donate clothes that don’t fit, chuck old magazines and clear out your outdoor space. But, many people have a hard time cleaning their bookshelves and saying goodbye to their reading materials. If you’re one of those people, don’t worry! There’s a great way to lighten up your bookshelves, get rid of the old and welcome new books in your life—organize a book swap party! Here are some of the best ideas for this bookworm event.
Send invites
First, if you want to have plenty of books to swap, you must invite enough people. If you want to be eco-friendly, opt for Evites. This way, you’ll help save the planet, save up some money and make it easier to RSVP. Make sure to write the address, time and what they need to bring. Plus, state your agenda clearly. A book swap isn’t a way to add 20 titles to your collection without giving away a single book. The goal is to give just as much as you get!
Provide enough swapping material
You, as the host, will probably provide the most books for swapping but encourage your guests to bring as many books as they can. This way, your guests will have plenty of material for swapping and giving away, plus, your event will look more professional. Additionally, you’ll be left with more titles which you can donate to your library.
Set some rules
Book swapping parties shouldn’t have too many rules, but there’s one that has to be respected: no book shaming! It doesn’t matter if you bring a YA dystopia, romance, historical fiction or cheap sci-fi – every book is welcome and (almost) every book has its perfect owner who shouldn’t be ashamed to take it home. Plus, a book swap is a perfect occasion to broaden your literary horizons and take a book you’d never buy otherwise.
Make enough space
If this spring surprised you with the warm and sunny weather, feel free to take your party outside. This means more space for book stands, snack stations, and mingling. Just make sure to provide at least two or three tables to display all the books (if you run out of space, you can start stacking books). Providing your guests with some drinks and snacks will not cost you a lot, but it will make everyone relax and feel more comfortable (especially if you serve wine). Additionally, if you happen to have a really hot and sunny day, make sure to get some protection. You can check out some practical Shade Sails Online that are affordable, suitable for every backyard and offer great sun (and even rain) protection. This way, your book-swappers will not sweat out all their reading interests and your books will stay dry in case of a spring shower.
Employ the post-its
To make the swap more successful and to let your guests know exactly what they’re getting, encourage everyone to write a short “review” of the book on a post-it note. For instance, let them write “I recommend this book to those who like…” This will certainly help with book swapping and even spark some interesting conversations.
Have a little friendly competition
End the event with a little trivia quiz about books and literature. It’s fun and educational and people will get the chance to show off their book knowledge. And of course, don’t forget the award for the most knowledgeable book lover. Let them have the chance to “steal” a book they really want, even if it’s already swapped!
Donate the leftovers
Every book that gets left behind can be donated to your local library or used to set up your free neighborhood library project. These are popular in over 80 countries with over 60,000 “stations”, so why not try it yourself. All you need is a box or a cabinet and some books to fill it. Once the library is full, encourage people to take a title and put one of their own in its place. If you need some free library inspiration, here are some of the best ideas that already function all over the world.
Book swap parties are a great way to celebrate literature, share your love of books with fellow readers, enrich your book collection and learn something new about art. So, volunteer as a book swap party host this spring and have a great time!
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