The Abundance Swap, Dec. 15 at the Historic Ashland Armory, promotes sustainable holiday ‘shopping’

By Jim Flint for Ashland.news

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the rearview mirror, Ashland’s Abundance Swap on Sunday, Dec. 15, offers a refreshing reset.

The event lets community members exchange three quality items for thoughtful gifts. No price tags. No stress. Just meaningful connections and a sustainable way to celebrate the season.

Participants are invited to come early. The doors open at 1 p.m., with gift-picking from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. at the Historic Ashland Armory.

A tradition since 2001

“We love the idea of children learning a new way to gift people for the holidays,” said Leslie Lanes, one of the organizers. She’s been involved ever since Jeff Golden hatched the idea for the first Swap, held in 2001.

The event was paused from 2020 to 2022 because of the pandemic. When it was reinstated last year, more than 400 enthusiastic people showed up.

Lanes says this year is extra special.

“The election year has been difficult for everybody,” she said. “It felt more important than ever to come together as a community and brighten up our spirits.”

The Elbow Room Taiko group will provide entertainment at the Swap during an intermission. Led by teacher Suzee Grilley, a longtime Ashland resident, the group performs a Japanese art that is a mixture of drumming, choreography and martial arts. Lanes is a member.

Bring three quality items

Here’s how the Abundance Swap works:

Each attendee is invited to bring three quality items from their home, office or shop that someone would enjoy as a gift.

“Quality” doesn’t have to mean “expensive.” People should bring well-made, worthwhile items, likely to be valued, Lanes said.

“We don’t want them to be cleaning out the garage and bringing stacks of old books, clothing or CDs,” she said.

“Although there may be a special book or a unique piece of clothing, we want people to give some thought about what to bring.”

On the day of the Swap, people are asked to bring their items to the Historic Ashland Armory. They should plan to stick around to visit and tell stories about their items. And they should find some things they would like to take away for gifts to others. “It’s okay to gift yourself too,” Lanes said.

Bringing the kids is encouraged

Families are encouraged to bring their children, who can participate as well.

“The children can find three of their toys they aren’t using anymore and join the adults in putting their items on the tables,” Lanes said.

The organizers have devised a clever way to get participants to circulate around the room.

“We break the attendees into three groups, based on the color of their name tags,” Lanes said. “When we begin the process, one group at a time checks out what’s available while the other two groups remain at their tables to meet people and tell stories about their items.”

After all three groups have had a turn to wander among the tables, the process will be repeated two additional times.

Lanes says telling the stories behind the items enhances the experience.

“It helps make connections among people even richer,” she said. “Sharing our stories is part of the gifting.” She says people enjoy learning where items come from, how they were acquired, and how they’ve been enjoyed.

A reaction to Black Friday

Golden, now a state senator, was working at Jefferson Public Radio when he got the idea for the swap. While hosting a late November edition of the Jefferson Exchange, he found himself whining about the frantic interest in Black Friday kicking off the Christmas buying season.

Reports of people planning to get in line in the predawn hours before the stores opened fueled a 10-minute monologue on holiday values and Americans’ obsession with consumption.

When some people responded that Black Friday should be a “buy nothing” day to protest rampant consumerism, the idea for the Abundance Swap was hatched.

The original one was held at the Oak Street Dance Studio, a venue the Swap outgrew after a few years. The Historic Armory donates the use of the space for the event.

Lanes said hot tea will be served and attendees are invited to bring cookies to share.

Zoe Kauth, another member of the planning committee, has been involved since 2006.

“Some new faces and younger ones are showing up to help now,” she said. “People can sign up to be part of the crew when they attend the Swap on Sunday.”

The committee will meet at the venue at 12:30 p.m. to put up round tables in the auditorium and greet attendees.

“If you’d like to help next year, see the lady at the cookie table in the back to get on the list,” Kauth said, referring to herself.

Some memorable gifts

Lanes shared a couple of memorable stories from previous Abundance Swaps.

“One year a guy brought a car key to the Swap,” she said. “Somehow, a person who really needed a car found the key on a table and got a big surprise. It came with a car that was parked in the lot outside!”

Another time, Lanes’ husband brought all his golf clubs, a cart, gloves and other golf paraphernalia to give away, after many years of enjoying them.

“It still gives him pleasure when he remembers hearing a 7-year-old girl walk out with her mom that day and saying, ‘Daddy is going to love this!’”

For more information about this year’s event, go to abundanceswap.org.

The Historic Ashland Armory is at 208 Oak St.

Freelance writer Jim Flint is a retired newspaper publisher and editor. Email him at jimflint.ashland@yahoo.com.