On Tuesday, we had our ANNUAL SCARF EXCHANGE!
Every year (for like 10 years now!), I get together with a group of girlfriends and we kick off fall with a scarf exchange. I need to re-name this post “fall accessory exchange” because we decided last year to make it more broad and encompass all fall accessories, but in my heart of hearts, it will always be our “scarf exchange” 🙂 . I post this year after year because so many of you do it too, and it’s always so fun to hear the feedback!!
Here’s how you play:
1: We always do it at the beginning of fall because it gets us in the mood.
2: Everyone brings a fall accessory wrapped up so that we can’t see what it is. (You can set a budget so that everyone is paying the same amount.)
3: We write down numbers on pieces of paper for how many of us there are. So if there are 10 of us, we write 1-10 on little strips of paper and then we all draw a random number.
4: Number one goes first and picks a package. They open and we all admire. Then #2 can either steal whatever #1 picked or pick another random wrapped package. And this goes on and on (like a White Elephant Exchange you might do at Christmas). The accessory can only be stolen twice before it gets frozen and then cannot be stolen again. At the end, we let #1 go again and she can either keep her fall item or exchange it with anyone wearing an unfrozen accessory.
So, you could bring a scarf (totally fall!) or something else. We had girls bring all sorts of things from earrings to a fall hat, bracelets, nail polish and more!
If you’re looking for a fun GNO activity this fall or holiday season, you should totally do this! You could make it vague (kind of like we did) or specific (bath products, makeup, drug store buys, candles, bracelets, etc). We do this with the girls in our Sunday school class about twice a year and it’s the perfect group activity if everyone doesn’t know each other because it really gets you into things and introduces you to new people.
This little party would be fun for your tweens and teens too (or a multi-generational group!).
We never, ever, ever have a scarf exchange without thinking about this sweet friend…
…we miss you so much, Manda!! You have to love on your friends every chance you get because life is really short.
Okay, do you have any other traditions like this that work well for girls nights out? I would love to hear them!! It’s always fun when you eat and then do some sort of activity too. Let me know!!
And then one more thing…
…did you see my post this morning? It’s Apple Butter 2 Ways! I made it in both the slow cooker and the instant pot! You can check that out HERE.
Happy Thursday, friends!
Erika Slaughter says
It’s one of my FAVORITE nights of the entire year! There’s nothing that gets me in the fall spirit like the Scarf Exchange with some of my favorite girls!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
You have the best annual traditions and GNO activities! Lovely to see how your friendship evolves! 🙂
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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
KC says
I’m trying to get in the fall spirit but we’re getting slammed with a hurricane here in Charleston, SC. Can’t wait to have one of these parties soon though!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m so sorry about that, KC!
KC says
Thank you! I love your blog! It’s a bright spot in my day!
Sheaffer Sims says
I love my new earrings, and I love time with my girls.
Elspeth says
I love this idea! what a fun way to see girlfriends and celebrate the fall season. I want to do this with my girlfriends!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Karen says
So fun! What did everyone get??
Mix and Match Mama says
We had such a wide variety! It was easier to showcase what we got when we all brought scarves! Ha!
Kelly says
I’m NOSY and want to see the gifts ; )
… I hosted a “Favorite Things” gift exchange party around Christmas-time last year and instead of playing, “White Elephant”, we played “Hot Potato!” …we pass each gift, one-by-one, to the sound of Christmas music and when the music stops, whoever has the gift, keeps it…this way of playing makes it actually FUN to get out! We keep playing until everyone has a gift, last one standing gets last gift : ).
Mix and Match Mama says
I picked Andrea’s bag! It had a really cute pair of tortoiseshell earrings and Essie’s Wicked polish (one of my faves!).
Alexis deZayas says
I have my second annual scarf exchange planned for this year 🙂 Such a fun tradition!!
Natalie Alvarado says
I love this tradition! Could you please tell me where you got that fabulous Pumpkin spice mug from your insta stories yesterday? It’s fabulous and I want one!! Happy fall!
Mix and Match Mama says
Anthro!!
Mary says
Where was your tee from?
Mix and Match Mama says
Nordstrom! It was on Friday’s post!!
Cindy Davis says
Thank you Shay for always, always acknowledging & remembering Manda. The Fall Scarf Exchange was one of her very favorite parties!! I know she was watching. Looks like it was another huge success of beautiful ladies getting together and having a blast. You all are so blessed to have each other.
Love you all!
Mix and Match Mama says
Love you so much, Cindy!!!
Erin H says
Your friend group sounds so fun and amazing it makes me want to move (back) to Texas just to try and make y’all be friends with me 🙂
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams says
Hosting a favorite things night with friends would be a fun way to spread the love! That apple butter looks DELISH!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
Melanie M. says
For several years now, I have played Keeno with a group of ladies. It’s kind of like Bingo except the board is made up of playing cards. We play once a month. There are 12 of us so everyone hosts a month. We always have a theme to wear and the hostess prepares the meal. Everyone brings a $10.00 gift and we do the stealing and the freezing like you mentioned. It’s so much fun and I am thankful to be a part of this.
Mix and Match Mama says
I love that idea, Melanie!!
Deej says
My girlfriends and I started this tradition next year and I gotta get a date on the books! Such a fun thing to do 🙂
Beth Valenta says
I love this tradition. Mine is on the 20th and I opened it up to accessories too! Your sausage pumpkin soup is a favorite that I serve, have you ever doubled it? I think I need to.
Mix and Match Mama says
Yay!! I’m so happy to hear that! And no, I don’t think I have ever doubled that particular recipe. Enjoy!!!
Lorie says
Will you be posting pictures of all the gifts everyone brought? I’d love to see what everyone brought and got! Hope to start this tradition in my new neighborhood. Thanks for sharing!!
Mix and Match Mama says
We didn’t take pics of individual items. Dang! We will do that next year!
Beth Valenta says
I forgot to ask…would you happen to know where the girlfriend that is taking the pic got her cute flannel shirt??? Love the black stripes.
Tina says
Did you send out invites or evites? If so would you mind sharing the text you used? I love hosting this type of party but often struggle on what to say!
Molly Gionet says
SO MUCH FUN! I love this post every year.
Here is a great idea for another girls night out! I host this girls night every Holiday season but it can totally take place any time of the year. Its called a favorite things party and I know you and your girlfriends would love it!
Pick a number and a price (example: 4 things at a $10 value). Each girlfriend chooses one thing that they LOVE that is valued at the set price and they bring 4 of the same thing to the party, unwrapped but creatively displayed. Everyone places their “favorite thing” on the table at the party and you do different rounds where each one gets to take a “favorite thing” from the table! So everyone ends up leaving the party with 4 different things that are her girlfriends “favorite things!” It is SO much fun!
Mix and Match Mama says
I love that idea, Molly!
Leiah says
I’d love to see pics and links of all the fun gifts everyone got! Would be great to get some fun fall ideas and get in the spirit!
Bethany says
Hi! Is this the same party where everyone brings a food item and you vote on a favorite? Or am I loosing my mind? Regardless, I’ve always loved this post!! Happy September! ?
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s our Recipe Exchange in December!! 🙂
Bethany Skobel says
Ahh, okay!! I am already looking forward to that post, too! Happy Friday!! 🙂