17 people lying down
Students cuddling in 2005

A cuddle party (or a cuddle puddle or snuggle party) is an event designed with the intention of allowing people to experience nonsexual group physical intimacy through cuddling.[1][failed verification]

three wild dogs lying together
Nonsexual physical contact is common among social animals

History

Reid Mihalko[2] and Marcia Baczynski,[3] a pair of self-described "relationship coaches" in New York City, founded Cuddle Party in New York on February 29, 2004. According to their website, the events were initially created for friends who were too intimidated to attend Mihalko's informal massage workshops. Upon publication of the Cuddle Party website, the events were opened to the general public, and, thanks to a swarm of media attention, became a phenomenon in New York.[4][5][6][7]

In order to meet the demand for Cuddle Parties in other cities, Mihalko and Baczynski began a training and certification program in January 2005, and have since trained a number of individuals to facilitate Cuddle Parties in various cities.[8][9]

Media

See also

References

  1. ^ Morris, Alex (25 January 2006). "The Cuddle Puddle of Stuyvesant High School". New York. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  2. ^ Washington Post
  3. ^ Lusher, Adam (2006-10-15). "Telegraph.co.uk". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  4. ^ "People". People. 2004-09-27. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  5. ^ Klonick, Kate (2006-11-30). "ABC News". Abcnews.go.com. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  6. ^ New York Observer Archived October 11, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "Seattle Times". Seattletimes.nwsource.com. 2004-09-05. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  8. ^ Kramer, Rachel (2005-12-23). "Gothamist". Gothamist. Archived from the original on 2012-02-02. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  9. ^ Dailycal.org Archived March 31, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "The CSIs Get Cuddly On 'Grand Murder At Central Station'". CSI Files. Retrieved 2007-05-01.
  11. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". Orange County Cuddle Party. Archived from the original on 2007-05-03. Retrieved 2007-05-01.
  12. ^ "Cuddle Party". NYDailyNews.com. Retrieved 2007-05-01.
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