I've previously written an article on what NOT to place in a geocache (and why) and included a few suggestions of what actually makes a good trade item. In this post I'd like to answer another question we've been asked numerous times.
Where can I find decent swag / trade items?
Inexpensive trade items (note, I didn't write "junky, used, trash items) can be found all around you. Sometimes you just need to know "where to look". Get it? ... "Where to look?" Just a little Geocaching joke there ... ahem. OK.
One of the places that I like to hunt for swag / trade items is at trade shows. Conventions and trade shows come in all sorts and sizes, but in general, if you walk the "vendor floor" of most conventions, you're bound to find lots of give-away knick knacks. As always, use discretion when choosing which things to actually place in a geocache. I've found that if you're friendly to a vendor, you might ask for a few extra to "give to friends". Most likely, the vendor isn't going to want to bring all the items back with them anyhow. The trinkets will also have some type of company logo on it which is what they want: to get their brand in front of people ... and you're just the person to help them do that! You might have to politely listen to their spiel but that doesn't cost much and who knows, you might learn something about a product or service that you'd be interested in anyhow!
Another place to look is at your local "dollar store". It's amazing what you can find there for $1, isn't it!? You might want to select a variety of items and sizes. Some of the geocaches you'll find will be rather small, while others will take larger items.
If you're the creative type, you might consider making some cool swag. Head over to your local crafts store and browse around. You might be surprised what imaginative ideas pop into your head as you walk up and down the aisles. Maybe some beaded bracelets? An artful refrigerator magnet? A ceramic keychain? The best thing about making your own trade item is the handcrafted uniqueness of it. If you are able to make something cool and creative people will love it! One bit of caution however: The word can quickly get out in your geocaching community that you are a talented and creative person and "oh can you make me one too?" Just realize that if you've got an active amount of geocachers in your area (i.e. they go geocaching together, they attend a lot of geocaching events) you may be overwhelmed with requests for your crafted swag item.
Perhaps the most convenient place to search for swag items is online. Here you can quickly browse for items, find good prices and have it delivered to your door. Online, you can find not only swag goodies, but you might even find something that would make a good "Sig Item" for you and your caching team. (More on Sig Items in another post). One place that I've mentioned is orientaltrading.com. There you'll find novelty, small toys and party items. As a former classroom teacher, this was a good place for me to find trinkets as motivational prizes for my students. For less than $20 here you can get a LOT of swag that should last you awhile. The selection is pretty good too. You could get packs of magnifying glasses, compasses, balls, gliders, keychains, cars, yo yos, ... you get the idea.
Lastly, my post would be remiss if I didn't mention the big boy on the block: Amazon. I'll put a link to some ideas below.
By the way, if you DO end up shopping at Amazon and enjoy the content that we bring you here on this website, you can help support our effort by first clicking THIS AMAZON LINK before you go shopping. Then shop as you normally would, your purchases won't cost a penny more, and yet a small portion of your purchase price will come to this website via that affiliate link. THANKS!
Alright, I'll leave you with a few examples below. Trade well and keep on cachin'!
Flashing Led Bumpy Ring (Pack of 12)
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