+caylor Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 I'm trying to improve the contents of some of the caches in my area by adding some quality swag. The stuff I've seen is pretty bad (doll's head, car with wheel missing) and the kids are disappointed. They're starting to lose interest even though I tell them the point of the game is the "find" and not the "treasure". They're perceptive enough to know that it's not fair that we try to put in good stuff while all that's there is garbage but, again, I tell them it has to start with someone. It may as well be us. What's good stuff to use and where can I get some? I don't want to spend big bucks per item but the dollar store near me has little that's interesting. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, John Quote Link to comment
+Team Red Oak Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 After Halloween I was at Wal-Mart and picked up a bunch of glo sticks for 25 cents each, they also had sets of 5 plastic cups with skulls on them and vampire blood make-up for 25 cents. We've dropped off the vampire blood and several glo sticks, but we'll need a larger cache for the cups. Many times you can find little compasses and stuff in a sale bin too. Do you live near a Marshall's store? Sometimes they have small picture frames or useless little do-dads that are inexpensive. What about a thrift store for used paperbacks in decent condition? Or even other interesting items. My daughter works at Old Navy and they sell key chains and things up near the register, sometimes they go on sale (she also gets a discount). There are a few ideas for you. Quote Link to comment
+Teamhawaii1981 & blueicyrose Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 Good for you! I personally have gotten big into collecting and trading signature items, so I rarely trade swag; but I see some neat things and have brought some child relatives caching and here is a list of things we enjoyed: Nice compasses, carbiners, interesting coins, kid's jewlery, nice action figures, camping supplies, matchboxes, collectors items, caching equipment (emergency blankets, flashlights, headlamps, batteries, hunting blaze). Go down the kids aisles at Walmart/KayBee. they have stuff for .88$ which are usually pretty neat. matchboxes other vehicles. There is so much out there. I would just bring your kids to the Dollar store or wal mart and have them fill your cart with stuff they would like, then go to outdoors and pick stuff you like. Then trade it. Quote Link to comment
+Derb522002 Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 To get swags I have gone to flea Markets. I have gotten Small Ty bears for 1. 00 that are still in their packages. I have a whole bag of swags that I dont carry but replenish my bag when I run low. I also visit the local dollar store have have picked up bummle balls for a couple of dollars and yoyos etc. Hubby and I saw some Beanz in a toy store for a dollar and got them. I have also have left a few things in caches because it looked like junk in the cache. Just a few ideas Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 (edited) Here is a partial list of things I've left in caches. I get them from supermarkets, hardware stores (like Lowes and Home Depot), Wal-mart, outdoors stores (like Dicks, Campmor, REI, EMS), crafts stores (like Michaels, Rag Shop & AC Moore) and variety (5 and dime) stores. Many are under a buck and most are under $3. Whenever I'm in aany store, I constantly have my eyes open for inexpensive, useful items. If I find something cheap, I buy a bunch. Last year I picked up 20 emergency ponchos at Walmart for 88 cents. This summer my big trade item was packs of Off! insect repellent wipes. They came 20 to a box for $4 so I picked up several boxes. Small US flags US flag pins modeling clay carabiners Energizer squeeze lights stickers bags of toy soldiers water colors mini screwdriver sets allen wrench sets gel pens boxes of crayons or colored chalk emergency rain ponchos packs of AA batteries collectable coins (buffalo nickels, indian head pennies, SBA or Sacagawea dollars) music CD's blank RW CD's cassettes (blank and recorded) calculators clip on safety strobes bungee cords LED key lights "euro" stickers & other decals mini sewing kits maps (hiking & road) software travel packs of Wet Ones or Baby Wipes Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars key rings bags of balloons velcro fasteners interesting buttons padlocks Small cans of insect repellent and repellent wipes foreign money rolls of film kazoos compasses movies on VHS & DVD office supplies (packs of paper clips, thumb tacks, Post-Its, etc...) Mylar emergency blankets decks of cards new wallets individual packs of Armor-All & Rain-X wipes survival whistles Wheresgeorge bills and stamps Geocaching.com hats, pins &, patches What not to put in caches. Items that you would have ordnarialy have thrown in the garbage. Caches aren't trash bins (though sometimes you wouldn't know it judging by some things people leave). Edited November 30, 2005 by briansnat Quote Link to comment
+Kathi & the Grouch Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 I see the same problem (garbage as swag) around where we live. We're new to the game & haven't logged many finds but what we've seen is pretty lame. I plan on upgrading a few of the worst items in each future find, if I can afford it. I'd like to see "adult-oriented" swag (uh, that didn't sound good, but I think you know what I mean) instead of just dirty broken plastic kids toys. Hardware store, Stationery store & flea markets probably my best bet. Might visit some consignment stores & salvation army stores & see what they got. Convenience stores always seem to have little gadgets at the front counter. If you put in books, make sure to enclose in a zip-lock. Quote Link to comment
+GPSOkie Posted December 1, 2005 Share Posted December 1, 2005 This is a great topic ! I'm new to the sport, but I too have been a little disappointed in what I'm finding in caches. I've tried to find intresting stuff to leaving in caches like multi-tools, cool old foriegn coins, and various other items that are interesting. Most of what I've traded out for has been stuff that I don't find interesting at all. I've decided not to take from a cache if there is not something of interest to me. I just leave something that may be of interest to others. Actually, my leave at my 3rd cache found resulted in an email thanking me for leaving the item I left. It was very gratifying and I will continue to try to leave good items in caches. I love the hunt as much as I love the find Quote Link to comment
+5¢ Posted December 1, 2005 Share Posted December 1, 2005 Some really good items I have found to leave in caches are 99 cent first aid kits. I don't know how many times I wish I could have a bandaid at the cache. I found them at the dollar section at my local grocery store. Also, new hotwheels cars are less than a buck. Cut the packaging down so they are just in the plastic cover with a little cardboard and they will fit in most decent sized caches. Plus the kids and parents don't worry about "where has this toy been because it is still in its packaging. Quote Link to comment
+Binky del Mar Posted December 1, 2005 Share Posted December 1, 2005 There is a great online store called Oriental Trading where you can buy stuff in each, dozen, units or gross depending on what it is. They have a lot of inexpensive trinkets that are good quality. The prices are great as well! The website is www.orientaltrading.com. Hope that helps Quote Link to comment
+EchoGuy Posted December 1, 2005 Share Posted December 1, 2005 Oriental Trading rocks the party. One time, we were running way low on juice. I cursed my lack of preparedness under my breath. We got to the cache and, in the waning light, opened it to find a pair of fresh AAs. YES!! A corrolary to this topic, though. If you see a cache is mostly trash, should you take it upon yourself to perform maintenance? That is, take all the garbage in there and replace it all with better stuff (if you're so inclined)? Quote Link to comment
+treedweller Posted December 1, 2005 Share Posted December 1, 2005 Oriental Trading rocks the party. One time, we were running way low on juice. I cursed my lack of preparedness under my breath. We got to the cache and, in the waning light, opened it to find a pair of fresh AAs. YES!! A corrolary to this topic, though. If you see a cache is mostly trash, should you take it upon yourself to perform maintenance? That is, take all the garbage in there and replace it all with better stuff (if you're so inclined)? I vote against emptying the "trash". Don't forget the old maxim, one man's trash is another man's treasure. Not saying you couldn't improve things by taking out candy wrappers or moldy religious tracts, but even mctoys might appeal to someone. Just leave it better than you found it. And, again, I must vote against the chinese grab bags (whether from a web site, a dollar store or wally world). I'd rather find a pretty rock than see the US trade deficit increased so someone can find a screwdriver or pliers that will likely break if anyone ever actually tries to use it. If you actually go to China and find a good deal on unique, interesting items, go for it. If you can buy the same thing, only better, in this country made by americans, don't bother with the knock-off (buy american if you can afford it; get something else if you can't). Thrift stores often offer the same basic stuff at similar or lower prices, but the profits tend to benefit some worthy cause. oh, and you can find about a million posts with more ideas if you use the search feature of this site. treedweller Quote Link to comment
+caylor Posted December 1, 2005 Author Share Posted December 1, 2005 I vote against emptying the "trash". Don't forget the old maxim, one man's trash is another man's treasure. Not saying you couldn't improve things by taking out candy wrappers or moldy religious tracts, but even mctoys might appeal to someone. Just leave it better than you found it. And, again, I must vote against the chinese grab bags (whether from a web site, a dollar store or wally world). I'd rather find a pretty rock than see the US trade deficit increased so someone can find a screwdriver or pliers that will likely break if anyone ever actually tries to use it. If you actually go to China and find a good deal on unique, interesting items, go for it. If you can buy the same thing, only better, in this country made by americans, don't bother with the knock-off (buy american if you can afford it; get something else if you can't). Thrift stores often offer the same basic stuff at similar or lower prices, but the profits tend to benefit some worthy cause. oh, and you can find about a million posts with more ideas if you use the search feature of this site. treedweller My idea is to place some quality (and some novelty) items in to all of the caches I find, whether I trade or not. I'm not going to restock the cache or remove any items I may think are sub-par. Binky: Thanks for the link. I have no problem buying novelty items made in China. Oriental Trading, founded in 1932, is now owned by a investment firm in California and employs hundreds of people in Nebraska. To all: I love these suggestions. A lot of them never came to mind because I've never seen them in a cache. Keep 'em coming. John Quote Link to comment
+dougsmiley Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 I don't think I'll ever really take much from caches unless it's something I really want or need. For me, it's more about the find than whats in it. I would, of course, remove old candy wrappers and such (unless they were old collectable ones or something). I think something useful to another cacher is the best thing to leave. Theres always something for the kids. The little bottles of no-water soap are cheap and would be something valuable to cachers. I'd really like to see a trash bag (or 2) in every cache for picking up litter. I'll make it a habit to leave one in each of the caches I visit. I also enjoy "signature" items, showing who has been there. Personally, I don't think these should be traded. Put them in a "don't trade" bag or something. Quote Link to comment
+CompuCash Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 I get a lot of the same stuff as Brian at the Dollar Store. cc\ Quote Link to comment
+BadAndy Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 Geocoins make great swag. Quote Link to comment
+whistler & co. Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 Sometime you can get neat things at the dollar store, but for the most bang for your buck (hey, it's hunting season here) the dollar section at Target is the best. They have better quality things, and they are changed periodically to go with a theme or season. Once they had all kinds of beautiful stationary, note cards, little beaded boxes, and coasters from India, and currently they have some neat nostalgic toys. The dollar section is usually located right near the entrance, so it's easy to pop in and stock up before you head out for a day of caching. Quote Link to comment
+TeamToro Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 I can vouch for Target's $1 section. I recently picked up several wooden puzzles and games. I also picked up the following 6 DVDs: Popeye - 10 cartoons Superman - 10 cartoons 3 Stooges - 3 episodes Lone Ranger - 4 episodes The Lost World - silent movie One Step Beyond - like The Twilight Zone They had a lot of others, too. I hope someone enjoys finding these where I leave them. Quote Link to comment
+gas4cache Posted December 4, 2005 Share Posted December 4, 2005 I'm still a month away from geocaching, so needless to say, I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but does anyone ever leave state/local items for someone else to get. For instance, my wife collects state shot glasses from each state we go to. Maybe we could start buying 2 and leaving one in a cache in another state or our state. Or get some type of memorabilia from a local festival, and leave it for someone else to remember their trip to our area. what do ya think Ron Quote Link to comment
+Binky del Mar Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 Just for the record, Oriental Trading is a company name, not a practice, and secondly, it has quality items at low prices, in quantity amounts, not junk. I don't think this thread was called "politics and trade embargos", caylor was mearly asking for some ideas. No need to attack! Quote Link to comment
+treedweller Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 Just for the record, Oriental Trading is a company name, not a practice, and secondly, it has quality items at low prices, in quantity amounts, not junk. I don't think this thread was called "politics and trade embargos", caylor was mearly asking for some ideas. No need to attack! I assume that is a reference to my earlier post. I don't see how you can view it as off-topic. The question is about what makes good swag. In my opinion, that rules out chinese imports. I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but I have every right to post my opinion. How is that attacking anyone? If you meant I was attacking the company referenced previously, all I can say is, I know nothing about them except they are importing stuff from overseas (and what was posted above by others, I assume to be true, though I don't plan to check into it). I don't mean to attack them, but I prefer to buy things made in this country. I acknowledge some imports are of a high quality, but, to continue my example above, I have not seen any tools (one frequently mentioned trade item in these threads) at a dollar store that I would expect to stand up to any real work. Why bother sticking them into a cache or retrieving them? I'd rather TNLN than support the transfer of $ and jobs overseas. Others are obviously free to do as they choose. TD Quote Link to comment
gusmurphy Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 I knit cotton dishcloths to keep my hands busy, and I have been thinking about using them to trade, (as soon as I get my GPSr and start geocahcing!) But I wonder if they will be appreciated (I think they are nicer than gross blue sponges) or if people will just wonder what the heck it is. I use scrap yarn, and they aren't fancy- just practical. And made in the USA, to boot Quote Link to comment
Team Dragon Racing Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 I'm still a month away from geocaching, so needless to say, I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but does anyone ever leave state/local items for someone else to get. For instance, my wife collects state shot glasses from each state we go to. Maybe we could start buying 2 and leaving one in a cache in another state or our state. Or get some type of memorabilia from a local festival, and leave it for someone else to remember their trip to our area. what do ya think Ron when we go out of state we allways take a few florida items to drop off in caches usely eads up in a race when a out of state item get droped he in florida slith team dragon racing Quote Link to comment
+Geo Froggy Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 I knit cotton dishcloths to keep my hands busy, and I have been thinking about using them to trade, (as soon as I get my GPSr and start geocahcing!) But I wonder if they will be appreciated (I think they are nicer than gross blue sponges)or if people will just wonder what the heck it is. I use scrap yarn, and they aren't fancy- just practical. And made in the USA, to boot I love this idea. Attach a tag saying handmade cache cleaner and I think most cachers would love to find one. I'm always finding wet caches and using one of your dishcloths would make cleaning it out a lot easier. If you attach a hook or grommet to it I could hang it on my fanny pack to dry, sure would beat paper towels.. Quote Link to comment
gusmurphy Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 I knit cotton dishcloths to keep my hands busy, and I have been thinking about using them to trade, (as soon as I get my GPSr and start geocahcing!) But I wonder if they will be appreciated (I think they are nicer than gross blue sponges)or if people will just wonder what the heck it is. I use scrap yarn, and they aren't fancy- just practical. And made in the USA, to boot I love this idea. Attach a tag saying handmade cache cleaner and I think most cachers would love to find one. I'm always finding wet caches and using one of your dishcloths would make cleaning it out a lot easier. If you attach a hook or grommet to it I could hang it on my fanny pack to dry, sure would beat paper towels.. I placed my first geoclothe (pronounced geocloth) today! Quote Link to comment
+maggieszoo Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 I also enjoy "signature" items, showing who has been there. Personally, I don't think these should be traded. Put them in a "don't trade" bag or something. I love finding sig items! I have a nice collection of OU8ALIZZARD and Appalachian Lizard rubber lizards. My husband has a collection of Mr Bloodhound's red plastic firemen and several other firefighter's sig pieces. Wooden nickel sig pieces? Love 'em!! I leave one of mine and grab one I don't have. Quote Link to comment
Soultrance Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 I keep seeing people talking about sig items in various different posts and though I have yet to receive my GPS (stupid canada post), I would love to have a sig. item for when I can finally begin the hunt. When it comes to sig items, are there any guidelines like there are with geocoins and travel bugs? I understand the idea of a signature item but don't know if you're supposed to tag it somehow or just throw it in to every cache you hit until people recognize it. There doesn't happen to be a section of the site for sig items does there? Quote Link to comment
+Broccoli King Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 I would appreciate some feedback on this. I like to fish and often leave new fishing lures, still in the plastic box, for trade. I wait and find lures that I like to fish with on sale and then buy several, especially spinners, and I usually also consider eye appeal. Is this something other people like? I also am trying to trade up and am new at this. Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 I would appreciate some feedback on this. I like to fish and often leave new fishing lures, still in the plastic box, for trade. I wait and find lures that I like to fish with on sale and then buy several, especially spinners, and I usually also consider eye appeal. Is this something other people like? I also am trying to trade up and am new at this. Sure is. I leave fishing lures myself and love to find them as well. Quote Link to comment
+ekanow Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Great thread, just started Geocaching with one find to date. Yesterday I was wondering around my home looking for something to leave at my next find and was totally confused as to what I use, I finally deide on a flashlight with batteries on the side. The weather turned on me so I was unable to go yesterday. Now I have some good ideas of what I an look for in the local stores. Thanks all for the help. Quote Link to comment
+freespirit1402 Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 hi all im a cacher from britain and i went to a few shops round our local town and picked up various items... four packs of make your own fridge magnets-havent done it yet but looking forward to making some to leave in caches two packs of glow in the dark sheep and teddy bears-the kind kids put on their ceiling, perhaps not useful to adults but fun for those with younger cachers with them my local pound shop sells stationery packs filled with erasers, stickers, pens and such so some of those as well as packs of gel pens or pens that write in differing colours but im always on the look out for trinkets. if i find a cache with mostly rubbish in it (and i have done a few times despite being new to this) i leave something nice for the next finder and dont take anything out free Quote Link to comment
+Thrak Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 I'd suggest stock certificates. Microsoft perhaps........ Large denomination bearer bonds are also good. Seriously though, if you want something a lot of folks would like check out a coin shop. You can likely pick up Indian Head Pennies or other old (non-rare) coins pretty cheaply and folks love finding stuff like that. Quote Link to comment
+Henki Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 There doesn't happen to be a section of the site for sig items does there? This link was posted on the forum the other day, but I haven't tried them yet. http://www.geocities.com/team_fisur/geo-creations/ Quote Link to comment
Mrs Life Seeker Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 This is an old thread. Is there any updates to where people buy their swags? Thanks! Quote Link to comment
+Zwack_&_Irish_Eyes Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 This is an old thread. Is there any updates to where people buy their swags? Thanks! Well, I was looking in the $ section at Target the other day and there was a bunch of stuff that would work. Other ideas I've had... Dollar Stores Party supply stores Hardware stores not knowing what other people consider reasonable I've left behind a mix of things depending on what I had available to me so far... Double ended screwdrivers Keyrings (promotional and fancy) LED flashlight A Vintage Pocket Watch Fob (in a ziplock bag with a note explaining what it was) I've also moved trackable items around a bit... Things I've found that were cool... small, odd souvenirs (Grand Coulee Dam charm, walking stick badges,... ) Pathtags Home made "Geo pet rocks" Wooden nickels A tiny bicycle repair kit (I didn't take it but it was still cool to find). Marbles ... Think of what you've found that you liked, and think where you might be able to get something similar... The mini first aid kit idea seems like a good one to me... Particularly as my wife claims I have a first aid kit fetish... Z. Quote Link to comment
+kreuille Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 This is an old thread. Is there any updates to where people buy their swags? Thanks! I went to a Hallmark and got a box of those bracelets kids are supposed to be going ape over - the ones I got were called SillyBandz. They were $4.99 for a box of 24. they fit in small caches. I like to try to leave a piece or two of kid swag esp. if I don't see anything in the cache. other stuff in my swag kit is mostly from the dollar store, plastic frogs, dice, mini-erasers, etc. I am new and haven't been trading swag... just adding stuff to the caches I find if it fits. Also am big into trading out ziplocs and adding log sheets if they aren't there. Staples and Office Depot have 2x3 ziploc bags. you can find logsheets online and print them out... I bring scissors to cut them in the field. Quote Link to comment
+Sauceyjill Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 If you're friendly with your local Dentist you can ask the person (usually the dental assistant) if the next time they place an order for toys, you can add some items for yourself. I got some great bouncy balls and parachute guys for super cheap... Quote Link to comment
lilizard62 Posted May 29, 2010 Share Posted May 29, 2010 I had a thought......your local chamber of commerce can help you come up with premium stuff. key chains, stickers pencils and pens. It is a great way to promote their city. For that matter Businesses might help also. Great advertising. Quote Link to comment
+Ian1959 Posted May 29, 2010 Share Posted May 29, 2010 What's good stuff to use and where can I get some? I don't want to spend big bucks per item but the dollar store near me has little that's interesting. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, John I've recently bought several bags of acrylic gemstones in all shapes and sizes from 'allstarco dot com' Cache visitors seem to like them, because they disappear pretty quickly Quote Link to comment
Northwoods Tom Posted May 29, 2010 Share Posted May 29, 2010 Here's a different idea. I placed a cache recently, and in the swag selection not only did I include the usual, but I included sealed sets of 7X9 inch prints of drawings that I use to sell locally of historical landmarks in the community. How often do you get free art in a cache? Don't know how it will be excepted, but I think it's different. Quote Link to comment
+Intemperance Society Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 I now duck into 'destination gift shops'. While most of the stuff is overpriced and/or tacky, you can usually find nice lapel pins for cheap. I personally love pins as they fit in almost any cache, they take up no room in your pack, they don't degrade in a cache, and they can reflect where you're from or where you've visited. I just picked up a bunch from a nearby 'touristy' sea-side village for $1.50 each, and they're actually really well made. Plus they all came in tiny zip-lock baggies. They also carried fun little magnets, hand-made from a local, at a buck a piece. Quote Link to comment
+ColoradoTrekker Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 Having just started geocaching, I was trying to figure out what to bring for swag. In my case, my other hobby happens to be woodturning. So, I decided to bring some wooden tops that I have turned on my lathe. I can make them in all kinds of sizes (I have even left some in micro containers). I like the idea enough that it may become my signature item. Quote Link to comment
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