Trinket trading has been a fun way to socialize since childhood. First it was shiny pebbles and sticks collected on the playground and then it was silly bands and gushies. Now one might observe adults getting back into the childhood trading gig at various events with more handmade trinkets and goodies.
Getting into or back into trinket trading can sound intimidating or childish, but the activity is simple and fun and brings back a sense of community that social media is squandering. Everyone loves a good shiny object, but more so, everyone loves a good memory and a new connection.
Three places come to mind where trinket trading culture thrives: concerts, festivals and conventions. Each one hosts their own subculture surrounding the activity, all of which are based around kindness and respect.
Renaissance festivals and favors
The Renaissance Festival is already a great place to make new friends and trinket trading is a growing tradition that encourages people to be kind to one another. The activity started as a way to bring children into renaissance festival culture, with performers and vendors offering favors that reflect their act or business and spark joy.
Nowadays many attendees make trinkets that match their garb and hand them out as a way to compliment strangers and to thank people for kind interactions. Some trinkets are designed to clip onto costumes while others are meant to tuck away in a pocket till they can be traded again or placed on a display shelf.
Trinket trading at various renaissance festivals has become such a large part of fair culture that a firm set of rules had to be put in place. Trinkets are not to be edible, nor are they meant to be of a high enough quality that they might take business away from vendors. Parents should always be asked first before offering a trinket to a child. It is also courtesy to never expect a trinket in return.
One of the things that makes renaissance festivals a great place to get into trinket trading is the inclusion of a symbol that identifies traders. While wearing the symbol is not required, it is a great way to break down the barrier of fear that can come alongside approaching a stranger.
Concerts and Kandi
Kandi are pony-beaded bracelets that are often exchanged at raves, concerts and festivals. They’re given as a creative way to save a memory or shared experience. The bracelets are typically brightly colored and often have some sort of wording on them.
Kandi trading was initially reserved for raves but has since spread to the concert scene with Taylor Swift fans popularizing them as friendship bracelets. Now many concerts house traders with Kandi titling the setlists.
Perhaps the most important part of Kandi trading comes in the form of the acronym “PLUR” which stands for peace, love, unity and respect; the qualities that make up a good trade. The term even comes with a cool trading handshake; joined peace signs for peace, a joined heart for love, clasped hands for unity and a successful trade for respect.
Youmacon and the Ribbon Game
The newest edition to the trinket trading scene comes in the form of the Ribbon Game at Detroit’s own Youmacon. The game is a way to encourage convention participation and positive social interactions with the added fun of collecting ribbons to attach to badges.
Trading works roughly the same as Kandi and trinket trading but with the added game aspect. Not only can participants trade as normal, but they can also participate in challenges and quests to earn ribbons.
Since ribbons are harder to make by hand, Youmacon offers a group order for ribbons to help keep the cost down for individuals. The biggest rule for the ribbon game is that all designs must be PG-13 and traded respectfully.
