Let's be honest: January can feel a little glum. The holiday sparkle vanishes just as the weather takes a turn for the dismal. And then come the December credit card bills. (Sigh.) This year, with the economic news as grim as the weather, there's even more motivation to tighten our belts and avoid shopping for as long as possible.

What could be a better pick-me-up than a pile of new (to you!) clothes, for free. Even better? You get to offload a bunch of things you no longer use. Add the appeal of a little "What Not to Wear" action that could help you get your friends to try on the colors or styles you've always secretly thought they should wear, and you've got the recipe for a great party. A clothing swap is the perfect way to alleviate the post-holiday blues while spending a potentially hysterical evening with your best girlfriends. Here's how to organize to make sure everyone leaves happy.