I am a serious believer in the barter system. You know - trading good or services instead of money. TSC and I barter whenever we get the chance.
We traded yummy lamb from TSC's family farm for our TV unit (not a bad deal, I must say). I swap organic veggies from my garden with my neighbour in exchange for salted butter from her husband's business. I also trade plants and clothes with my mom and swap home-grown spinach with mushrooms from my friend's mother who does cooking promotions for a mushroom farm. We have bachelor friends who come over to tutor TSC in various varsity subjects in exchange for a hot meal from my kitchen. It really works for us.
I'd love to take it to the next level, somehow. Not one red paperclip level, but the next level. I had a dream that we did a home swap with someone from abroad for a few weeks. It was great in my dream. And Po and I are thinking maybe we should trade places for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, seeing she reckons it would be cool to be in South Africa and I'm over the hype already.
I remember when I was a kid we used to trade stickers. And Magic Diaper Baby figurines (does anyone else remember those rather scary-looking plastic babies with the nappies that would change colour in cold water?).
So as adults, I reckon we should hold a trade-off for unwanted Christmas presents after the event. Who's in? I get hand towels from my grandparents every year, if anyone is desperate for a pair? ;-)
Have a good Wednesday.
23 comments:
That's a great idea. I get deodorant from my gran...but I don't think anyone would want that. I am also starting a campaign in my family for this year's christmas: No wrapping paper. Either reuse newspaper, office paper or magazines or wrap it in something reusable like cloth napkins.
I still have all my magic diaper babies, I managed to get every single one! woo hoo :P and I have a couple of the diaper animals that came out after.
Those darned diaper babies must have driven my mother nuts with my desire to collect them all.
The house swap sounds like a great idea, especially since it would be with Po Po who is...mostly...normal. Mostly.
Flying Lessons: What deodorant? It it's from the grandparents, it must be Mum ;-) Or one of those old-lady Yardley scents.
Anon: Do you remember the mermaid ones?
Tara: Hehehe... Well, I am mostly normal too. Maybe. I guess I should inform dear Po of my intentions ;-)
great idea - I think trading/bartering would be fun as adults....
I think woman should trade clothes more often.
:)
Tam that sounds like a GRAND idea. But my Christmas gifts are usually hand made but can I trade my paintings...?
I just wanna join in in the fun :D
Brazen: I agree! I ahve trouble finding people who wear my size though. Other than my mom.
Paula: I'm also considering having a crafters' market at my house. Keen to flog your artworks there?
Alright! House swap! There is only one problem Tamara, your house looks stunning! I live in the ghettos of a small English town in a one room bachelor flat with no heating. Basically my house is crap. We are considering moving though... I always feel sorry for my friends who come to stay with us in our teeny flat.
I used to have diaper babies, I loved those things, remember sticking them in the freezer to find out what sex they were.
I am pretty keen to just give my unwanted Xmas prezzies away actually. Maybe I should give them away on my blog...
Lamb for a TV!
Did you ask the lamb how it felt about that? ;)
Oh most definitely! It just depends on the date it is! Now I am SO amped for it. Just let me know and there I shall be
Novel idea....Just depends what I get for Christmas ;-)
I love bartering, especially now that the economy is slowing down a little. There are several good sites you can use, such as http://barterquest.com that's the site I am using and so far I have only had positive experiences with it.
Po: Oh yeah - the place that gets set on fire and stuff, hey? Oh well... it will be an experience ;-) Sounds like a great giveaway.
Ches: No - lamb for the unit our TV stands on. I would've. But it was dead, so I figured it was past caring.
Paula: Will keep you posted.
Gill: Hehehe... good point. If I get something cool instead of hand towels I'm not trading!
Anon: What a cool site! Thanks for the link. Guess where I'll be procrastinating tomorrow?
I'm in! I love hand towels :)
ive gotta a real dirty comment about 'trading goods for services', but i know you well enough to know that you are above such juveinlle things...
bartering sounds great. Not sure what to throw in the pot though because my Christmas present differ every year. Except for the jars of bath oils and creams etc that my relative revert to when they are not sure what to buy.
I don't remember the scary diaper babies. I think I've missed something wonderful.
i had so many diaper babies!
and the puppy/kitten/pony in m pocket figurines...
I'm so keen on a swap session, it sounds like a great idea! Like recycling, but you get something back!
I'm too old to remember diaper babies :) but I like the swapping idea! I've traded a few photoshoots before
I saw your note on Being Brazen's blog and had to stop by - I used to have a newt (a live one) named after Ella Fitzgerald (as well as one named after Louis Armstrong).
I still have diaper babies and diaper puppies :) Kiara has them now - she doesnt seem as taken with them as I was tho :-p
I trade kid clothes with my one friend and she feeds us on the weekends :)
Forever Feline: You're welcome to them ;-)
Slyde: The thought had crossed my mind that the wording might be misconstrued. By you, of course :-)
Damaria: Ja - those and the candles. I get some every year too!
Susan: Hehe... don't worry. You didn't miss out on too much!
Helen: Exactly!
Jeanette: Yay - another taker. Exciting!
tattytiara: Thanks for stopping by! Awesome names for newts. Were they musical?
Laura: Hehe... there are far more exciting toys out there now. Makes me wanna be a kid again. That's a nice arrangement.
You hand towels made me laugh
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