History of Snuggle Parties & These Pages
Organized cuddle events date back to at least 2002, when a small group of visionaries in Portland, Oregon began to hold snuggle parties. Formal and informal snuggle gatherings have since become frequent pastimes among segments of the community.
A number of wonderful groups have formed since then, including Cuddle Party, which has spread awareness to countless people under its branded version of a snuggle event. Yet, this joyful, connective way of relating still remains a mystery to most people.
A decade after their inception, I discovered snuggle parties and other platonic touch-positive events during a challenging life transition. I had rarely sought nurturing touch outside of romantic relationships, and found this new approach profoundly supportive.
I was eager to share what I had learned with others, but no books on how to throw such events existed. A few innovative training programs had created talented facilitators, but time and tuition costs still left out many people.
So, immersed in a long-established community of grassroots cuddle experts, I created a book and these resource pages. It’s my attempt to share with you much of their collective wisdom, developed over many years, along with my own experiences and psychology training. Included are the voices of many people who have benefited from snuggle events.
My hope is that you will experience many of the same benefits. Snuggle parties are a powerful tool for helping to create a healthier, more peaceful, more sustainable world.