Standing before a vibrant pink box brimming with an array of colorful and textured items, I hold a small glass owl, eager to exchange it for something new. Inside the box, I spot a variety of intriguing items, including a plush elephant adorned with a green and pink sombrero, a rubber object that resembles both a doughnut and a frog, a bubble tea keychain, an assortment of stickers and pins, and a dazzling collection of bracelets. My goal is clear: to partake in the lively experience of a trinket exchange.

Across the United States, a trend featuring boxes filled with collectible items for visitors to trade has emerged. This phenomenon, which began last autumn with installations like one in Philadelphia that repurposed an electrical junction box, has evolved from the earlier successes of Little Free Libraries and expanded significantly during the pandemic into various neighborhood initiatives.

Rachael Harms Mahlandt, an artist from Portland, has been documenting what she terms “sidewalk joy” since 2022. Her yard features a variety of exchanges, including mugs, seeds, stationery, and even a mini-library dedicated to tiny books. In 2024, she initiated a world map to track these installations, and it has rapidly expanded from 800 to almost 1,500 locations, with the UK emerging as a key area for this trend. “We had just one location for quite a while, but the trinket box trade has really taken off,” she notes.

While there are trinket boxes scattered from Blackpool to Brighton, I find myself at Argonaut Books in Leith, admiring a vibrant pink box filled with trinkets managed by Sam Stevens, known online as @edinburgh.trinket.trade. Originally from Toronto, Stevens, 29, now works as a pet-sitter, which allows her the flexibility to engage in community activities. She was inspired by an online trinket exchange in San Francisco and decided to create her own in Edinburgh. “It was such a fun and free project; I had a great time designing and assembling it,” she reflects, noting that many of the items were sourced from her own car boot sale finds, allowing her to recycle unwanted goods.

Adam Barclay, who runs Argonaut, acknowledges that while he may not be a “trinket fanatic,” hosting the exchange box aligns perfectly with the shop’s community-focused mission. In March, Argonaut showcased a coin-operated print vending machine by local artist Eve Tong, which inspired Stevens to propose the trinket exchange. The custom-made box was installed at the beginning of April, and Barclay describes the response as “wonderful.” He observes that trinket enthusiasts come from all walks of life, including Argonaut staff who occasionally “raid” the box for items, like a magnetic lobster now displayed on their staff whiteboard.

Stevens anticipated a positive response to the trinket exchange, but the rapid growth in popularity took her by surprise. “It felt like I gained 400 followers overnight, all from the community,” she recalls. Each time she visits the box, she witnesses people actively trading and others sharing their finds online. “It’s heartwarming to see the community engaging with it,” she adds.

As I observe, Franky Cannon, an artist and writer, along with her sister Liza, are evaluating various stickers and ceramic sheep in the box. Having frequented their local bookshop, Argonaut, Franky was drawn to the area after noticing the print vending machine. Both in their 30s, they reminisce about their childhood enjoyment of treasure hunting through geocaching and letterboxing, making the discovery of small treasures particularly appealing. Franky admits that while she enjoys collecting “ancient, mysterious” finds from beachcombing, she also appreciates newer items. “We all need a little more fun in our lives,” she remarks as she selects a crab coin purse and Liza opts for a tiny rocket pin, donating a fluorescent bike safety armband in the process.

Stevens expresses her delight in observing the trading process, asking participants about their exchanges. “Most of the items in the box are new to me now, especially nostalgic collectibles from the 90s and 2000s, like Pokémon and Pingu,” she shares. Nostalgia plays a significant role in the appeal of trinkets, especially for her, as she enjoys collecting items from her childhood, including Tamagotchis, Polly Pockets, and Sylvanian Families.

Noa Carter, a 22-year-old photography student, is also drawn to nostalgia as she eyes a pink Littlest Pet Shop bird. “I’ve been collecting them since I was little,” she explains. Finding the trinket box through an online map of UK swaps, she arrives without anything to trade but resolves to return. Stevens encourages her to take an item anyway, emphasizing that contributions are not mandatory. “Sometimes the box is overflowing,” she adds. Carter leaves with the bird but later returns with a pink stuffed mouse and a tiny diplodocus to donate, while her friend Cameron is thrilled to find a plush fish keychain to attach to her backpack.

While some may dismiss these trinkets as mere clutter, the concept of trinket trading fosters a sustainable circular economy, offering enjoyment without the negative environmental impact associated with consumerism. A TikTok user who runs a London trinket exchange describes it as providing “instant gratification” without ecological harm. Stevens agrees, noting that it allows individuals to experience joy while also recycling unwanted items. She observes that many contributors have emotional ties to the items they offer, often feeling that “someone else will cherish it instead of me.”