What to Do With Leftover Party Supplies

So, as you know, I cleaned out  the hall closet in my house during Operation Organization.  During my purging, I decided to make a "Party" box with all things needed for birthdays and other festivities.  Things like number candles, birthday banners, noise makers, and colored paper goods.  But then I found that I had leftover party supplies from the themed birthdays that we've had.  You know, Batman, Superman, Toy Story, etc.  


Now that the boys are older and I have gotten wiser.  I don't buy the themed paper products anymore because I'm always stuck with leftovers and I don't know what to do with them.  


That's when I turned to the almighty internet.  When in doubt, search it out!

First off, I asked those of you on Facebook & Twitter.  Here are some of the suggestions that I got:

@workandcats told me "We keep some in the car for when we have impromtu picnics in the park + napkins are useful if I run out of paper towels."  Not to mention having napkins in the car are great for those "accidental" spills that happen all too frequently!


Lindsay Hamer told me: "Napkins, I save for school lunches. I will pack a different one every time I make my kids lunch. (on "yucky" days. They are like fun party reminders.)"  How sweet!!


Abby from Abby & Eva shared: "Paper plates and spoons/forks can be made into masks... Sometimes I just let my kid cut and glue til her heart's content."

Then I researched ways to sell my outdated party goods.  MmmHmm, make money on this junk!!

One way is My Party Is Over.  This website is dedicated to selling party supplies: new, gently used, or even handmade.  You can also buy supplies too!  

 

Another way to sell those party items is to use the tried & true eBay.  This was suggested by none other than Caroline, Smarty Pants Mama.  She even gave me suggestions on how to find the right price on eBay.

Now I have my work cut out for me...

I think I may keep some for those last minute spills and picnics.  But I will probably sell or donate the rest.  

What do you do with your leftover party supplies?

Alexis

I Just Became an eBay Seller!

I've always been an eBay buyer.  From Cricut cartridges, to personalized invitations for the kiddies birthdays, to Tory Burch sandals...eBay is great!


But recently I finally became an eBay seller.  

For my birthday, my husband surprised me with the iPhone 4S....you know "Siri."  I didn't ask for it.  My iPhone 4 was merely a year old.  But who am I to deny his generous gift?!


Now what to do with my iPhone 4?  Why not eBay?

I was a little nervous to list it.  
It's almost a fear of rejection.  Kind of like in high school and the fear of being rejected by the "cool kids."  What if no one wants it?  What if someone is sitting home reading my listing and laughing?  Did I make it sound good enough?  What if I made it sound too good?

Before I listed my phone, I followed some simple steps:

1)  Research:  I looked up similar phones on eBay to see how others listed, priced, and worded their product.  


2)  Networked:  I spoke with people that I know that have recently sold items on eBay.  (I really just needed reassurance.)


3)  Photos:  I took a photo of my phone and tried to make it look pleasing.  


4)  Honest writing:  I don't want to mislead buyers.  Not to mention that I want to sell this thing.  So I wrote honestly about the item I'm selling. 


5)  Looked through a buyer's eyes:  I thought of the listings that usually appeal to me as a buyer.  A picture, free shipping, feedback percentage, and a clear description. 


Now I'm just sitting on pins and needles waiting to make a successful sale!


Have you ever sold anything on eBay?  How did you like it?


Alexis