By Kyle Roderick
ThirdAge News
Let's face it -- it's tough meeting new people out there in the wide world. So have you ever considered opening up your
private world to social events? Hosting parties and informal gatherings in your home can be an enjoyable way to widen your social circle and meet potential dates.
Here's just a few suggestins of at-home events to spark your imagination:
If you belong to a neighborhood, community or business organization, volunteer your home for meetings and event-planning sessions, says Liselle Wonderman of Scranton, Pa. "Joining a few community organizations can help increase your chances of meeting eligible people," she says.
Join a singles club like Spiritual Singles in the Washington, D.C., area, or start one of your own and hold meetings in your home. "I started an interfaith spiritual singles group in my house by advertising in yoga studios and health clubs around town," says Miranda Brahm of Louisville, Ky.
Start a weekly book club featuring a specific theme such as mysteries, historical fiction or British novels. Invite your core group of friends and ask them to invite their friends; advertise the club on bulletin boards at your local bookstore, your public library and at local restaurants and cafes.
Team up with friends to start a travel club for people to show slides and videos from their journeys. Publicize your meetings through flyers at travel agencies.
If you or your friends love cooking, throw a weekly potluck party for area singles. You may also want to include a cooking lesson each week. Get the word out via bulletin boards in gourmet food stores, cafes and restaurants.
Organize a neighborhood drive of used clothing, toys and other goods to donate to charity. Hold an open house on weekend days so people can drop off goods, then stay to chat.
