A cuddle party is a non-sexual event designed to allow participants to experience group physical intimacy through cuddling. Described by organizers as workshop/social-events, cuddle parties are spaces for adults to consensually give and receive affection and touch with no expectations in accordance with their own boundaries. As cuddle parties are described as nonsexual events, activities such as kissing are not allowed.
Cuddle Party was founded in 2004 in New York by relationship coaches Reid Mihalko and Marcia Baczynski. They decided to create a space for their friends who were too intimidated to come to some of their other events and workshops. After the Cuddle Party website was created, there was a huge amount of media attention. The events became open to the general public. In 2005 and as demand grew for Cuddle Parties, in different cities Mihalko and Bacynski created a training and certification program for people who wished to facilitate Cuddle Parties.
