4 Summertime Singles-only Celebrations
by Linda Rains

Summer's nearly here and you're ready to kick things off with style. This is the year, you say, to meet more people and hook up a summer love. And why not? The sun is out, bodies are tan, and that added warmth has been known to inspire a little extra friendliness during those summertime months. So take advantage of that combination of season and singles to throw your own celebration with four suggestions for successful celebrations just for singles.

Date exchange. If you're single, you're invited. But this isn't your typical potluck picnic. Instead of potato salad or turkey slices, you're asked to locate and bring an available member of the opposite sex. Can't decide on just one? Go ahead and bring two—the more the merrier. Just don't bring a sweetie that you've got your own eye on. Because at this party, flirting is encouraged and it's best to leave with someone other than the one with whom you came.

It's not so complex. Those big sprawling buildings dot the scenery of suburbs and cities all over the country. They attract people of every age, and most tend to stay for about a year. What are they? Apartment buildings of every style, color and size with a variety of amenities. But they do have at least one thing in common: most, if not all, are filled with hundreds of available singles. While most are friendly and eager to expand social circles, it can be tough to approach an unknown building-mate while picking up the mail or dropping off the trash. Why not take charge and plan your own apartment party? It really takes no more than a few flyers, and on-site pool (or party room), and a few drinks. Love may lurk next door!

Keys for a good party. Again, for this type of party, singlehood is required. Instruct all to arrive via their own automobile. And ensure that you've got a healthy mix of both male and female. (Really, it's best to have equal numbers.) Upon arrival, all are asked to drop their keys into one of two large bowls (one for guys, one for gals). Allow a good amount of time for mingling and munching amidst a warm atmosphere of music and drinks. Then at a specified time, gather all for the selection of keys. One by one, party-ers step up to select a set of keys from the bowl of the opposite sex. Those two are then set to spend a certain amount of time getting to know each other—be it the entire evening or a brief fifteen minutes. The shorter the time, the more you get to know!

Meet your match. If you're a member of the Internet's most popular online dating site, Match.com, you already know that their Events Team goes out of the way to plan exciting offline events where members can meet each other live and in-person. But did you also know that you can plan and throw your own Match.com party right in your town? It's true! If you're not a member, log in now to surf and search through thousands of available singles in your area. Then imagine the possibilities should you throw your own exclusive Match.com members-only party. Spend some time online, meeting, greeting and inviting select people on your own. Or contact the Events Team at events@match.com and they'll add your event right to their database so that anyone can view the details. Either way, you're sure to find just enough singles to spice up any summertime party!