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San Francisco Bay Area

Take a trinket, leave a trinket: 'Trinket Trading' boxes have sprung up around the Bay Area

2026-06-08

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Trinkets, trades, and small surprises: Bejeweled small boxes are popping up around the Bay Area called "trinket trades."

Small trinkets, knick-knacks, treasures, toys and other items can find a place in these small, repurposed boxes. Often made from old mailboxes, junction boxes, or cabinets, they're decorated and personalized, then mounted outside of homes or businesses. People of all ages can come visit to pull, trade and expand the collections.

"A trinket trade is a lot like a Little Free Library, except it's for trinkets and toys. You can come any time. You don't have to make a reservation to come. You don't need to knock on the door. You don't have to ask, 'Hey, can I trade this? Is this OK?' It's totally up to your discretion and what you think is fair," said Danielle Couch, owner of the Concord Trinket Trade.

Those who pay a visit to the boxes with tchotchkes in hand, also called trinket traders, can delight in the surprises. From cards to keychains, rubber duckies and bracelets, a trinket box contains a plethora of items that were contributed by previous traders using the universal "take one, leave one" honor system. Friends and families can enjoy the activity together and connect through the trading.

"Everything is so expensive right now and I see families that come here and do trinket trades all the time. They have told me that it helps them connect with their kids. It is something that they can go do without spending money, but it still makes their kids happy," added Couch.

A few miles away in downtown Lafayette, California, another trinket box, the Lafayette Trinket Vault, is posted outside Vintage Vida, a quaint, well-curated store specializing in all sorts of unique, authentically vintage items.

"I actually heard about it through social media. I've seen some videos of people making trinket boxes, which I find really interesting," said Cheyanne Larson, one of the vendors at Vintage Vida.

Passersby don't always know what the boxes are, but are pleasantly surprised when they open them up.

"It is just an exciting, fun thing to see what is in there. What people leave behind and what you can add to your own personal life that will make you happy or bring you joy," added Carmen Guerrero, owner of Vintage Vida and the Lafayette Trinket Vault.

The trail of trinket boxes can be found in more locations around the Bay, from San Francisco to San Jose to Santa Rosa to Martinez and beyond. A full map of locations around the Bay Area -- and even the world -- can be found at WorldWideSidewalkJoy.com.

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