Like an op shop in my house and everyone's invited!

A couple of times a year, my lounge room floor becomes frenzy of excited women clawing through their friend's "love it but over it" clothes, shoes, bags, accessories, and (recently added) books and homewares.... Actually, it's not as cut-throat as that. In fact, it's lovely and fun. Let me lay down the process, including the all-important rules of a Clothes Swapping Party.

Venue
You'll need enough space for your mates to fit around the 6 piles (knitwear, skirts, dresses, jackets, pants, tops) plus a shoes/accessory section. They only need to shimmy around the edge of glory (hi there, Lady Ga Ga). I've held these in a tiny apartment that you could barely shimmy around at the best of times! Be prepared to move furniture and don't forget to vaccum thoroughly unless you want your guests picking fluff (and worse!) off their new knitwear. You also need a room or two where people can try things on in front of a full length mirror. Unless you are all happy to try things on in front of your mates and have them let you know how it looks...

Food
Wine and chocolate. Oh, and low fat dips with veggie sticks. Chances are most people are on a diet that requires them to squash their chocolate-guilt with healthy snacks before they can go back for more chocolate. And if you have any friends who can bake delicious cookies and muffins (you know who you are, ladies), exploit them. You'll be busy enough with all the vacuuming and crudite-ing. Take the help where it's offered.

Rules
The rules are very important and as the host you need to enforce them (followed by passing over some chocolate):

1. Everyone must bring at least 3 items to swap (as mentioned above).
2. No-one can complain about their weight, size of their bum, how thundering their thighs are, how much they have preggers belly... Firstly, it's irritating. Secondly, please a size 8 complaining to a size 14? Bugger off! Remember that everyone has their hang ups, but you're all gorgeous, so you can keep it to yourselves!
3. First in, first serve. 
4. Everyone needs to wait until all guests have arrived (although if someone is coming an hour or so late, don't hold off) and all of the clothes are laid out in their piles. No dibs. No cherry-picking before the starter gun goes off. Fairs fair.

Hosting

It's your job to see that people know where items go, that everyone has a drink and some snacks within reach, and that all parties have been properly introduced (don't include dress size, that's just rude). Chances are you'll have people from all areas of your life coming together to experience the Swap, so make sure everyone is comfortable. It's also your job to signal the start. I usually cry out: "Dig in, ladies!" and it's on. Sometimes you'll have to make the first move, but given you would have already sussed out where you want to start, this wont be hard.

The Wrap Up

Once everyone has been in and out of the "change room(s)" 2 or 3 times, the party starts to slow, with a dedicated few going back for a fourth and fifth time. This is the time to designate one person to hold up each piece for a final group-viewing and another person to put the unwanted items in bags for your local op shop. Pick someone who isn't shy and has a good eye for what suits others. She also needs to strike a balance between jovial and forceful (eg "Who wants this pink top? Ali, you can have that. No. Go and try it on! It'll look lovely!"). This is also the point when people who didn't jump in with the rest of us at the beginning score!

So there you have it. The most fun you can have for free. And there is something lovely about seeing an old favourite go to someone who you know will love it. Until the next Clothes Swapping Party, that is...