Here's a great way to have fun with friends AND save money: host a recycling party

We all have things we bought and then thought better of.  Or things we bought for a specific use that we could never use again.  They take up space and require dusting.  (I hate dusting.)  These things could be CDs, books you know you'll never read again, accessories (like handbags, scarves, and fancy shoes), party dresses, and small kitchen appliances.

Pick one or two categories of things (books and CDS, accessories and clothing, appliances) and invite a group of friends to bring 2-5 examples of each plus a covered dish to a party.  Everyone should bring the same number of items.  When folks arrive, have them place their items in a designated space.  Obviously, whatever people bring should be clean and in good condition.  Novels with their covers torn off and stained clothing are definite no-nos. 

Each person can draw a number (or a card from a deck) to determine their selection order.  After snacks, the first person chooses one of the items on display.  Then the second person and so on.  When the last person is up, he or she makes two selections and the order reverses so that the first chooser picks last in the second round.  There is one round of selection for each item brought.  Anyone can pass in any round if nothing interesting is left.  People can trade things after the selections if they wish, but no one is required to trade. 

Anything not selected at the end of the evening goes to charity.  And your guests go home with new books to read, new music to discover, that perfect scarf or tie, or the fondue pot they've always wanted.