We celebrate Christmas by swinging with 250 others – people think we’re animals but it’s classier than an office party
GAGE Masterson is quietly buzzing with excitement as he watches his wife Olivia flirt brazenly with one of their party guests.
The gorgeous red-head giggles as she leans in for a kiss with another man, in full view of her husband.
But unlike most men in his position, Gage isn't jealous or annoyed and he doesn't race over to split the pair up either.
He barely bats an eyelid because in that same moment a different woman, a complete stranger, has him in her sights.
The married couple aren’t at a work Christmas party that has got out of hand, but a winter ball which is packed full of fellow swingers.
They organised the event in Leeds, West Yorkshire, and it was a sell out.
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The couple, who have been together for 15 years, decided to spice up their relationship by swinging - engaging in casual or group sex with other people - seven years ago.
They always enjoyed an "adventurous" sex life before that, but their desire to open their relationship to new partners began when Olivia mentioned her interest in sleeping with women.
From there, they went online and met a community of swingers, and began exploring their sexual desires together.
The couple - who now run a swinging app called SwingHub that has over 40,000 users - now regularly hook-up both with other couples and other people separately.
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They say "communication is key" to making it work and that they're seeing a shift in younger couples in their 30s taking up the lifestyle and attending their events.
Olivia, a part-time air steward, from Lincolnshire, says: "We communicate amazingly well with each other and that definitely makes for a stronger relationship.
“The term ‘swingers’ has been phased out.
“It’s better known as being in an open relationship or a non-monogamous relationship."
Gage, CEO of SwingHub, adds: "There's a big change in the UK - the lifestyle is far from seedy and underground.
"It's tasteful and modern.
"It's definitely not just for old or middle-aged people - it’s for everyone.
"I have seen people in clubs in their early twenties all the way to people in their eighties."
Olivia and Gage met during a night out in Leeds in their teens.
Gage recalls: "I was back from the Army, I wasn't even supposed to be home that weekend and my friend invited me out.
"That's when I met Olivia - she had a beaming white smile and even laughed at all my bad jokes."
After exchanging numbers, romance blossomed and the pair got married on July 31, 2012.
Eight years into their marriage, during some "pillow talk", they began discussing the idea of sleeping with other people.
Olivia says: "Gage asked if I'd ever get with a girl, and I told him I had.
"We started talking around the idea of seeing people solo, but when we realised that we were both up for it, we decided to explore doing it together.
"We had a conversation a few times and it sparked another desire for each other."
The pair met another couple online, and after chatting with them for six weeks, they were invited over for a drink.
The girls went upstairs, and all I wanted to do was join them.
Gage Masterson
Olivia says: "I was absolutely terrified.
"I said to Gage 'I think we should turn the car back around', but once we’d met and had a drink, it was so natural and normal."
Gage adds: "It was awkward for me at first.
"The girls went upstairs, and all I wanted to do was join them.
"When I finally went up, seeing her with someone for the first time was amazing."
The couple ended up having a foursome, with Olivia - who is bisexual - and the woman "playing together" and also "swapping partners".
But the couple say they don't 'play' - either together or solo - every week. They see it as a "hobby" for when they have a weekend spare.
The pair also attend events and weekends away that are either social events to meet fellow swingers or include 'play' rooms and hideaways, where they get to do more.
Olivia says: "It's always social first - it's canapés, drinks and chats.
"11pm is the golden hour and everyone will be in lingerie.
"I've seen couples in their 20s and 30s up to their 70s.
"It's really liberating - I wanted to be like that at their age."
After launching their app in September 2023, the pair have gone on to host their own events including their recent winter ball. Tickets sold out in less than a day.
What is Swinging?
SWINGING, also known as partner swapping, is a sexual activity where partners in a committed relationship engage in sexual activities with other people.
All parties involved must give explicit and enthusiastic consent.
Open and honest communication between partners is crucial.
Many swingers engage with a community or attend events specifically for swinging.
Such activity can enhance intimacy and trust within the primary relationship.
It provides an opportunity to explore sexual fantasies and desires.
But it is not suitable for every relationship and requires a strong foundation of trust.
Jealousy and emotional challenges may arise and need to be managed.
Gage says: ";All the websites we were using to meet people looked like they were made when the internet first started – that’s why we started the app.
“We advertised the event and it sold out with 50 on the waiting list.
"For our events, we really focus on entertaining people with things like circus performers or fireshows.
"It's all walks of life who attend - the range of jobs is really astonishing.
“There are people who have dangerous jobs or stressful jobs.
“They use the lifestyle as an opportunity to escape.”
We like to try and educate people on what it's like, we're also open with our friends and family about it too.
Olivia Masterson
Olivia says the ball was just a social event, however many of the guests booked hotel rooms upstairs to stay overnight.
Despite its success, Olivia says the couple had difficulty securing a venue for the ball due to the “nature” of the event.
She says: “I must have emailed about 40 hotels until I found one.
“There is definitely still stigma around the lifestyle.
“They must think we’re going to get naked right there on the dance floor.
“But everyone is very well-behaved – we run our events professionally.
"Probably more so than at normal Christmas parties that can get boozy and rowdy.
"Guests have said they feel safer attending these sorts of events with like-minded people."
Since sharing her experience online, Olivia has now amassed a following of 325,000 followers on TikTok.
The pair have appeared on multiple reality TV shows about the lifestyle including Open House and Sex Actually with Alice Levine, both on Channel 4, and Adults Only on Channel 5 - and believe the stigma around swinging is slowly disappearing.
Despite enjoying the lifestyle throughout the year, the couple insist that they won't be meeting anyone during the Christmas and New Year period, instead focusing on "family time".
Olivia says: “Loads of people now are proud and are telling friends and family about the lifestyle.
"We like to try and educate people on what it's like, we're also open with our friends and family about it too."
For anyone interested in exploring the lifestyle, they say that “communication is key”.
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Gage adds: "Opening up and talking honestly with your partner is the main thing.
“Take your time, explore your options, and be truthful to each other about what you want from the lifestyle.”
