Books On A Budget: Get Some (Basically Free!) Gifts At This Swap

There aren't many great secondhand holiday gifts — sure, vintage finery and antique decor pieces hold a special place in our hearts, but giving a pre-loved present can be tricky at best. Except (don't you just love when we say "except"?) in the case of used books — for some, getting a dogeared copy of their favorite book is 10 times better (and infinitely cooler) than getting a squeaky-clean copy of a new bestseller.

It's with that handy holiday tip in mind that we're adding ReadySetDC's book swap to our agenda for this week. The online mag has teamed up with local men's line Read's Clothing Project and indie bookstore Politics & Prose to host an old-school book swap, but they've added a fun, feel-good twist: You get free entry if you donate one book at the door, and that book will be collected and provided to non-profit organization Books for Africa.

Once you're in, you can swap your favorite tomes for others you like, or ones that will thrill the bookworms on your shopping list. All categories are fair game, so you can bring (and take home) anything from children's books to poetry to non-fiction works (but keep it clean and classy, folks). Also on the docket: music, a cash/credit bar, and a chance to chat with local illustrator Elizabeth Graeber and check out her book, An Illustrated Guide to Cocktails. You can also enter to win a $50 gift certificate to Politics & Prose. But even if you're not the lucky winner, you'll still feel pretty charmed if you can leave with a free pressie or two, right?

When: Wednesday, November 30, from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Where: The Dunes Gallery, 1402 Meridian Place NW; 202-436-9118.