Throw a Pre-Valentine's Meet-Up Party with Everyone's Single Friends

Several years ago, I had an idea for a Valentine's party. It had occurred to me that many of my friends had great single friends that they themselves just were not interested in. Maybe they had been lifetime family friends, and, although others might have found them to be desirable, they felt more like a brothers or sisters to them.

So this was my idea - we will all come to the party with our "throwaway friends" that we are not romantically interested in for whatever reason for the others to consider. The throwaway friend is the most important part of the success of this party. Your friends can come to the party with a safety valve (their throwaway friend). The unknown (the throwaway friend) is what gives the party a twist; otherwise it's just a bunch of people that one person invited. Some of my favorite party guests have been the people that I had never met that a friend brought with them! It's also a great time to meet all of those people that your friends and family have tried to fix you up with, a comfortable way to see if there is an attraction at all. I remember one party where there were three possible fix ups for me in one room.

I named my party the "Pre-Valentine's Day Party For the Relationship Challenged" Relationship Challenged = Desirable single, not currently in a committed relationship. I would invite my most eligible single friends, relatives, neighbors, and clients to meet and share in an evening of food and fun. I would ask my guest to bring a friend or two that they were NOT interested in (Male or Female) to throw into the pot.

The idea of a Pre-Valentine's Day Party works for two reasons. I would always try to have my party the weekend before Valentine's Day so that if there happened to be a love connection at the party, they may actually end up with the coveted Valentine! The other reason that a Pre-Valentine's Day Party works is that you can buy your beer, wine, snacks and sodas during Super Bowl party sales

To have a successful party you really have to have your antenna up for most of the year seeking out the best Relationship Challenged singles. I collect names and contact information all year at business functions, weddings, and even while shopping when someone tells their tale of woe about being single or when they mention a Relationship Challenged Friend. It may be a little late to organize a successful party for this year, but if you take advantage of 50 percent off party favors the day after Valentine's Day, you will be well on your way to a successful party next year!

I have thrown this party four times now (no plans for this year), and each year there has been one or two Love Connections. If you decide to throw a party like this plan to be busy the day after the party with phone calls from your guests making further inquires about the other guests. I can remember one year feeling like a Relationship Broker!

Tips

Think of everyone you know that is truly a desirable single, not currently in a committed relationship. Leave off your guest list your alcoholic neighbor, or your cousin that can't keep a job. After all you are vouching that your guests are single, desirable and looking! Just knowing the other guests have, for the most part, been screened as such eliminates a lot of the normal party guest anxiety - you don't have to filter through the room and find the one person that may be looking for someone.

Pick an age group I would suggest that you have an age range of five - ten years older and younger than you. Too large of an age range just doesn't work; the younger women felt uneasy from the attention that they received from older guys. I am 45 and at my last party my targeted invitee was 35 - 55 and that worked for me, but if you are looking for an older Sugar Daddy you may want to target 50 - 65.

How many should you invite? I don't know how scientific this is but I have noticed that your guest count will be about 30% of the total number of guests that you personally have invited. For example if you personally invited 60 people you will end up with 20 including the throwaway friends that your guests bring.

Mention that you're having the party as you're bumping into potential guest all year and explain the concept of the party so that they understand the mixer concept. If you mention that you are having a "singles party" without further explanation, this will conjure up thoughts of Club Med in the 70's or a party where they have games passing an orange from chin to chin! NOT!

Send invitations, about two weeks prior to the event, and be careful not to have the party on the weekend prior to Presidents Day. Many people try to get away to somewhere warm or even a ski trip that weekend, and you will not get a good turn-out. Overall I think people are looking for something fun to do in February.

Follow-up a few days before the party with a phone call. People are lazy, and that may be one reason they are single! They want to whine that they don't have a companion, but are often too dysfunctional to put themselves out there.

The throwaway friend, Stress to yours guests how important the throwaway friend is to the party. Suggest that they bring one or two. I have had a guest bring four or five and that was fine, but it seems that they are less likely to mix when they come in a pack, and often one of the members of the pack talks the others into leaving the party because they are not having a good time (they weren't mixing), and when 5 people leave the party at once the party can easily fall apart.

Shop for your goodies whileSuper Bowl Party supplies are on sale for big savings on beer, wine, snacks and sodas.

Have pens and note pads easily available for phone number exchanges!

This party has always been a lot of fun for all that have participated. I have one single male friend who attended all four parties since 1999; I tell him that he is in my Relationship Challenged Hall of Fame! I hope this party concept catches on and that the guest lists build from one party to another.

Happy Valentines Day! And if you're single and reading this, I truly hope Cupid's arrow finds you!