New Here And Have A Question About Swap Items

[jenndiggy]

I just got my GPS this week, and with it, it brought snow, so I haven't been caching yet, but I was wondering what makes good trade items. I've been lurking on the forums for a little while, and after reading the "best items found in a cache" thread, I'm wondering what I should be taking to trade with. I assumed it was always McDonalds toy type items in a cache, but now I'm wondering. . .

 

Anyway, I do several crafts, but the one I enjoy most has a religious (Christian) theme to it. It's pretty, and I sold these to several stores when I was in college, and could never keep enough made. But I'm afraid that might be offensive to some, even as a trade item.

 

I also make "Scrunchies" (like girls use to pull their hair back in a ponytail)

 

Or should I go with non-handmade stuff. Just thought handmade might be cool but maybe I should go with something that can be bought?

 

Any thoughts?

 

And please, don't flame me for the religious item since I'm a harmless newbie. LOL

[+Enspyer]

Any handmade items are special to find in a cache. If you left them in each cache you visited it could become your signature item that locals know you by. I would not be offended by any religious item in a cache, but views on that will probably vary.

[+briansnat]

The religious item sounds nice. Too bad if it offends someone. Nice, hand made items are always appreciated. If it were me, I'd save my nice, hand made items for caches that I particularly enjoyed.

 

Beyond the hand made stuff, nearly anything goes. You don't have to break the bank. Just get stuff that you think might be useful, or fun for others. A few months ago I bought a bunch of emergency rain ponchos at Walmart for 87 cents. I was trading those for a while until I ran out. I recently picked up 10 packs of Hefty Handi Sacks (little garbage bags) for the same price and I've been trading those lately.

 

Just don't clean out your junk drawer and throw it in the cache and you're be fine. If its garbage, throw it out, not in a cache.

[+briansnat]

Also, you don't have to trade. Many geocachers, particularly ones who've been at this for a while rarely trade.

[JohnX]

I would welcome seeing a handmade item in a cache, whatever it symbolized. Keep in mind that many cachers take things quite literally and like following the rules to the letter. If you do leave a handmade item, take the time to package it well because cache containers tend to be damp and nasty. Consider leaving a note with the item, such as "A handmade XXXXX by YYYYYYY." That will be appreciated.

[Delaypat]

Is it too cheesey to place a guitar pick I have used and sign it, Delayed Sleep has used this pick? It would be kinda neat if it traveled around to another cache...But that could be really cheesey....But then again, its free so..........

Delay

[jenndiggy]

Thanks. Neither take long to make, and neither are expensive, so maybe the cross bookmark will become what I leave at every cache.

 

I may take some other stuff to trade to, just wasn't sure what stuff is usually traded for sure.

 

Now if this rain and snow would go away. LOL!

[+tirediron]

Your sig items sound great. I always like hand-made items, a thought however; both sound like they would be susceptible to moisture, so perhaps a stock of Zip-loc bags to put them in and keep them dry?

[jenndiggy]

Thanks everyone! Found my first cache today and didn't realize how wet the inside of caches are! Thankfully I did have the bookmark in a Ziploc, and put it inside the Ziploc with the log.

[+thumperness]

I always look for hand made stuff first and thats what I take. My son who is with me looks for WG$ and tradeing cards (i.e. Poke mon cards) so I place both type of things in cache's. Our first sig. item is a beaded keychain. As for offending someone with religious items don't worrie about it. I think there is a big difference between religious tracks and a book marker with a cross on it.

[+Greymane]

Just remember, your item is only one small piece of a (hopefully) well stocked treasure chest. If people do the right thing and trade-up, the cache only gets better with time. (Not usually the case, but that is the hope.)

 

Everyone has different tastes, so if you put in something you think is nice, eventually someone will find that cache that feels the same way.

[worthallthewhile]

I'm an atheist and have no problems with religous items in a cache, caching is as much for the christian, jew, or atheist as it is anyone else.

 

Don't get me wrong I hate to be preached at but there is a difference between knocking on my door and leaving a bookmark to be found.

 

My only wish for caching items is that they could be edible, I know it's not practical but I sure would love to find a yummy morsle and the end of a search.

[+Renegade Knight]

...Anyway, I do several crafts, but the one I enjoy most has a religious (Christian) theme to it. It's pretty, and I sold these to several stores when I was in college, and could never keep enough made. But I'm afraid that might be offensive to some, even as a trade item....

A signature item represents you. If this is what you would like to do. then it's yours too do. If someone is offeneded, that's entirely their fault.

[+IV_Warrior]

My only wish for caching items is that they could be edible, I know it's not practical but I sure would love to find a yummy morsle and the end of a search.

I bet as you find some more caches, you'll change your tune......I wouldn't eat ANYTHING I found in a cache, no matter how well sealed it may appear to be....

[+geologyrox]

i am not religious - actually, i'm almost anti-religious because i've had to cross picket lines to get to the geology building. but i would not have any problem whatsoever with seeing a religious item in a cache. it's a trade - you aren't locking anyone else into taking it, not if they don't want it. trade what you like!

[+Tidalflame]

Yeah, I don't think the religious items would be a big deal (although I have to wonder what would happen if I put, say, Wiccan items in a cache...) Homemade stuff is always cool. My first recommendation would be to not go overboard before you've even found your first cache, because while there are sometimes really cool trade items, there often aren't, so you may end up having a bunch of items you can't really use. I've found seven caches so far and only made one trade (though my girlfriend has made two.)

[+Renegade Knight]

....(although I have to wonder what would happen if I put, say, Wiccan items in a cache...)...

Would most people even recognize them? I wouldn't.