How a Warner Robins local is bringing whimsy through a trinket box

WARNER ROBINS — What looks like a regular box from the outside is actually filled with unique treasures on the inside. A Warner Robins local decided to bring people together by installing the 478 trinket box into her community. 

What is a trinket box? It is a fun way to drop off any small items like figurines, keychains, pins, bracelets and stickers and trade them in for another fun item. The primary rule is to leave one and take one.

Ashlee Watson came up with the idea of bringing it to Warner Robins after seeing it in the Atlanta area and the Macon Trinket Trading on Ingleside Avenue in Macon. Watson said she visited those boxes and thought it was a cute idea. 

“That’s when I decided I was going to do one here in Warner Robins because I knew we had nothing like that around here,” she said. 

Watson then posted on Robins To Go, a Facebook group managed by the Robins Regional Chamber with around 107,000 members. There, she asked if any local businesses were interested in having it outside their establishment.

The comment section blew up. Eighty-eight comments showed excitement and businesses showed interest. 

Watson eventually chose Society 31, a new plus-size boutique located at 115 Margie Drive. 

People have been loving the trinket box so far since its opening on July 23.

“I got a message last night saying that it was overflowing and people were putting stuff on top of the box now,” she said. 

Watson thought the trinket box would be a nice way for people of all ages to share their love for collecting and trading. 

Watson took a simple electrical junction box from Amazon and made it whimsical. It is made of plastic and is weatherproof, perfect for the outdoors. She decorated it with colorful stickers from the dollar store and Amazon, including Monchichi, a popular Japanese character. 

Trinket boxes and similar exchanges, like the Little Libraries around the county, have become popular worldwide. 

The 478 trinket box is part of Worldwide Sidewalk Joy, a map that shows users where their nearest box is located. According to their website, the map features over 2,400 spots in 19 countries. In Georgia, there are more than a dozen exchanges, including a puzzle exchange library and mini art galleries. 

Watson said it has been heartwarming to see the public’s reaction and to be able to bring one close to home. 

“I noticed that a lot of people have been messaging each other saying, ‘oh, you took my trinket’ or stuff like that which is really sweet. I [am] trying to bring more people together and bring something a little fun to the area,” she said. 

People have also been tagging Watson in videos showing off what items they have dropped off and what they’ve traded. 

Due to its overwhelming response, Watson is now thinking of bringing a trinket box to Perry.

Watson is a 24-year-old who has loved trinkets since she was a little girl. She said this idea was for other trinket lovers in her area. She moved from Pennsylvania to Warner Robins at six years old, and it has been her home ever since. 

The overall goal of the 478 trinket box is simple: to have fun. 

“It’s to bring some joy to the community,” she said. 

To keep up with the 478 trinket box, follow them on Instagram and TikTok: 478_Trinkettrading.