Brooklynian Regift-a-thon JAN 10 3-5pm at Soda

I bet I'm not the only person who got nice stuff that they neither need nor want. For instance:

1. A set of Emeril-brand casserole dishes and pasta bowl
2. Fleecy PJ pants
3. A sweater that doesn't fit but it would have been a pain to explain that to Nana, who hasn't really looked at what size I am for a while
4. Not to mention wedding presents still in boxes from April, many of them nice but just not our style

Anyone up for some kind of gift swap? Maybe there could be a website with descriptions of stuff and bartering? (Heaven forfend that we should do it in person and schlep stuff around the neighborhood.)

Any interest? and/or thoughts on how to set it up?


MOD NOTE: Seems like the gift-a-thon is more like just a happy hour... check the last post on the thread for updates

I think that's an awesome idea...I was thinking about requesting a "wine trade" where I can trade the multiple bottles of wine I received but which I don't drink for something I do.

Subject: Proposal: Park Slope Regift-a-thon

Merry day-after-Christmas!

So, I bet I'm not the only one who got some nice stuff that I neither need nor want nor have room to store. For instance:

1. A set of Emeril brand casserole dishes and large pasta bowl
2. Fleecy PJ pants
3. A sweater that doesn't fit

I was thinking it would be neat to work some kind of gift swap, using the barter system to exchange stuff we don't need/want/have room for for stuff we do. There'd have to be some kind of web host (heaven forfend actually schlepping stuff to a central location), but I think one of those DIY wedding registry places where you can enter stuff willy-nilly might be easily rejigged to work - though if someone has a better idea for a web locale, I am not familiar with the Internet's every nook and cranny, so shoot.

To make it work we'd need a lot of participants.

Takers? Thoughts?

I've got a set of knives that came with a bunch of Omaha steaks we received. I'd happily swap these, since we already have better knives.

I think we could maybe incorporate this into the larger idea of a swap meet. I have some used stuff that's still good but that I don't need anymore, and I think a swap meet would be more fun than a stoop sale come spring.

Is anyone else into this idea?

I'm all over it. "Meet" suggests physically meeting somewhere. .... Where?

Anyone?

Let's see how much interest there is so we can figure out what kind of space would be necessary. Maybe the back room at Soda would be good, depending on how many people are into this.

Man. I wish i got something I didn't want, I'm lusting after those Emril casserole dishes!! I need casserole dishes like whoa. I didn't get much for xmas though, and I don't think anyone's gonna trade me anything for a 3 pack of orbitz gum haha

ditto, this household doesn't really do christmas. ...but I'm sure I could clean out a closet, and put the stuff in gift bags.

ditto, this household doesn't really do christmas. ...but I'm sure I could clean out a closet, and put the stuff in gift bags.

Soda is closer than that Salvation Army, afterall.

I wish I could even clean out the closet- I just moved a few months ago so I tossed all my old crap already. I might show up just to hang out, though, since I've missed damn near every other brooklynian event for the past 4 months due to work.

turtle95 wrote: I think that's an awesome idea...I was thinking about requesting a "wine trade" where I can trade the multiple bottles of wine I received but which I don't drink for something I do.

I got a big ass bottle of grey goose i'm willing to trade for a bottle or two of a nice red wine.

poor carmen! no wonder your avatar looks so upset! i thought it was because of a pending romulen invasion.

i'm sure we can figure out some way for you to get the emeril dishes if you're really really dying for them. though you're right about the orbitz gum. i chew trident.

and no, i won't trade them for trident.

lnelson wrote: poor carmen! no wonder your avatar looks so upset! i thought it was because of a pending romulen invasion.

i'm sure we can figure out some way for you to get the emeril dishes if you're really really dying for them. though you're right about the orbitz gum. i chew trident.

and no, i won't trade them for trident.

I can offer you a casserole of sorts in return. I dont actually know how to make one (mostly because I don't have the dishes haha) but I can learn. Lets see what the response is here, maybe I can trade home-baked goodies for kitchen implements.

Aw, this sounds like a great idea. I received 5 things for Christmas and I like them all. the pajamas i received that i didn't like already went back to the store today.

awwwh wait...I don't want to sound mean, but I want the Emeril dishes too and i might have stuff too trade. No pushing my way in though since I don't actually know anyone yet. Please keep postong on meet-up plans because I am always more interested in those anyways!

Carmen, I will gladly trade Oscar for baked good. Actually, he would trade me for baked goods.

Do any of the creatively inclined board members have any use for those wicker baskets that fruit/wine/cheese baskets come in? I've got three of them and I hate to throw them away if someone could use them for a project of some type. (note: all fruit, cheese and wine would be removed)

I have an Osterizer blender with a food processor attachment that's been sitting in the closet since we got our Waring. That will also be on the table.

Would people be more up for a weeknight thing or a weekend? If it's a weekend, 1/10 is the next one that I could do.

i could do either a weekend or weeknights, except for tuesday - and 1/10 would be fine with me.

especially since i started this post, i'd like to (a) offer to do everything i can to help organize and arrange and advertise and so forth but (d) admit, with some embarrassment, that i don't know what "soda" is or how to reserve them for a swap meet. do we need to get tables or anything?

and, as others have also suggested, i'm totally into the idea of "gently used" stoop sale-worthy items being included, the "re-gift" aspect was really inspired by those emeril dishes (which i can now see will command a hefty barter!)

should we set ground rules or something? like no money, only bartering, or just let things go as they do and let people bring what they want and see what falls out? (i don't know if i have a preference). i can't imagine anyone bringing anything insanely inappropriate. i once read never to get puppies at a swap meet, but i have a feeling that anyone trying to swap unwell puppies in this neighborhood would risk bodily harm.

carnivore, you sound knowledegable. PM me?

Soda is a bar in Prospect Hgts, not the Slope ...but we promise: No puppies will be foisted on unsuspecting recipients.

I would be for version where expectations be low. People would bring their stuff in a bag, and then somehow get to choose which bag they want.

Those that show up without brining anything to give away: 1. Don't get anything, 2. Have be buy someone a beverage for the priviledge of seeing us disclose our embarrassing possessions.

...we could have quiz to see who gets the Emeril casserole dishes, but winner beware: They have to figure out have to give away the rest of the items.

How about donating all unwanted items to victims of Katrina, or needy Brooklynites who could use ALL of your articles?

Arlineo

thanks, whynot.

actually, i think maybe i've even been to soda - is it a bar with a basement where people hold events?

does someone here know how to reserve it? do we have to pay to rent it?

i'm not sure i understand the bag thing - do you mean i swap my mystery bag for your mystery bag? what if i end up with a bunch of stuff i don't want as much as/more than the stuff i didn't want that i brought to the swap? that seems to undermine the idea of exchanging stuff i want for stuff i don't want.

Jebbus people. Take some pictures, post them on Craigslist, make some money and go to Soda and buy me and Carmen a drink already.

Oooo I do actually have something I can swap- an old (but fully functional!) dell laptop. Hows THAT for some dishes

Point well taken, Mamacita.

Let's make this dream a reality! Anyone who's with me on the vital transition from pontification to organization, please PM at yr convenience.

(That is the sort of thing I imagine Obama saying as volunteers leap briskly onto his magical flying bus* to Washington DC.)

*it is an emissions-free magical flying bus that runs on photosynthesis

I don't think we need to reserve the space at Soda for this (I doubt we'd have enough people to need that whole space anyway). We just need to all show up at once. Ideally this would start on the early side, so we can get at least some seats and a table. Someone definitely should stop by and talk to Tolly about it ahead of time though.

I am in! Just tell me when and where.

do they need a bottle of grey goose?

This is a great idea. I like the donation idea, so maybe it can also be a fundraiser where we all agree to pitch in some money and donate it to a charity.

We can make this a global if we firm up a time/date and make an announcement. Anyone willing to propose a date?

The only date proposed so far is 1/10, and no one has objected, so let's just say 1/10.

Are people more interested in an afternoon event for something like this or evening?

Would anyone possibly want an MP3 player that works with a PC? Still sealed in the original packaging...
(My sister hasn't figured out that I have a Mac...)