How did free meetup apps take over the world after the pandemic?

The pandemic was the hardest time for all of us. We were all locked in our houses and had nothing to do. This tool takes a toll on our minds and makes us restless every day. That’s why, when this pandemic was over, everyone went crazy and started making plans to explore the world once again. And that’s when free meetup apps come into action. It would be right to say that these applications helped us revive our mental health by connecting us with the rest of the world. These meetup apps have changed the fashion of socializing in a greater manner. Free meetup apps are everywhere these days because they have a number of benefits. Let us check out what makes these applications so special.

Why are free meetup apps trending?

#1 Finding friends is easy: Let us take an example that you recently got a new job in New York and you moved to the big city. Wouldn’t you like to explore such an amazing place after the pandemic when you didn’t go anywhere? But since you have moved recently, you probably won’t have any friends. So, what would you do? The answer is free meetup apps. We know exploring a new place is not very fun when you are all alone, and that’s why it is best to use free meetup apps to find new friends. These apps help you connect with people who are in your area. You can get in touch with them and plan an exploration date.

#2 People with similar interest: Many people come in life and not all of them share similar interests. And we can all agree that making friends who like what you like is a blessing. Thankfully, there are some free meetup apps through which you can meet people who share similar interests. Some meetup apps even have a feature that allows users to fill in their interests so that others can learn more about them and their preferences. However, if any app does not have this feature, one can write about their interests in the bio.

#3 Making plans is easy: We all know how hard it is to make plans with our old friends. We just keep on planning and planning and planning. What happens at the end? No one goes anywhere. So, how about trying to make plans for those who want to go out and explore new things? Most people who are on the free meetup apps are looking for a good company to explore new places and learn something new about the world. That’s why, it will be easy for you to make new plans. You can even make quick weekend plans with people on free meetup apps. Imagine hanging out with people with similar interests. We know it sounds super fun.

#4 Socialize more: No matter how much we all like to stay all alone in our private space, we all crave nice company once in a while. After all, we are humans and being social is in our nature. Free meetup apps give you an incredible platform to socialise with other people. We can hang out with them, share some stories, learn from their life experiences and what not. There are many things we can do while socializing, and that’s why it is one of the biggest reasons why meetup apps are trending these days.

#5 Escaping chaos: The world is becoming chaotic everyday and this is taking a toll on us. We are caught up in our work so much that we have forgotten how to live life to the fullest. Thankfully, these amazing free meetup apps have got our backs. We can make plans with people on these apps to escape the chaos. And since those people are looking for the same thing, the entire bond becomes very special. You can make plans in NYC to take a break from your daily routine and refresh your mind and soul. Visiting new places in NYC and discovering something will be extremely refreshing and you will love this small change.

#6 The network: Growing a network in a new city could be extremely tough. It takes a lot of time to meet new people and establish a bond with them. However, free meetup apps can make the job easy for you. Using these apps will allow you to broaden your network and you will get to connect with more and more people. In a big city like NYC, it is easy to find groups to meet people online, and meetup apps could be the best bet for you. The best part is that you can build a network of people who share similar interests.

There you go! These are some of the reasons for the rapidly increasing trend of free meetup apps. In fact, we would like to say that this trend does not seem to end any time soon. If you want to do the same, there are a few things you must understand and learn.Here is a list of what you should know before using a free meetup app.

What should you know before using free meetup apps?

#1 The real meaning of ‘free’: Most of these ‘free’ apps are not really free. They use this word to attract more people. These apps may ask for some fees to continue the service. Imagine you are chatting with someone and having a very healthy conversation with them when you realise that your account needs to be upgraded in order to resume the conversation and you have to pay some amount for it. Yes, we know it feels terrible. So, before you create an account on these apps, you need to make sure that there are no hidden fees included in the app's service.

#2 The security: The internet can be pretty creepy. You may come across some creeps on these meetup apps, and let us tell you that catfishing is very common. The only way to keep these issues miles away is by choosing a trusted and reliable app. You need to do thorough market research in order to find an app that is safe to use.

#3 Privacy policy: Many meetup apps may share your information and data with a third party for commercial use. Does it sound scary? Well, yes it does. Imagine your meetup app profile is exposed to some third party entity you do not even know about. It will definitely give you the chills. This is the reason it is better to check out the private policy of the app before using it. Choose an app that does not transfer the users’ data to a third party.

#4 Know your purpose: Why do you want to use free meetup apps? While some people want to come across interesting local meetup groups in New York, others want to find someone special to date. Everyone has their own reasons for You should figure out why you would like to join meetup apps and then choose the right one. Meetups apps are built for different purposes. Some meetup apps are especially for hook-ups, and some apps are designed to help people expand their network. Check out the descriptions of the apps to find out what you are about to deal with.  

#5 Match or no match: You will find two types of social meetup apps. The first one will be when both parties agree to have a conversation. This is decided by swiping each other’s profiles to the right. The second type is when you can text anyone on the app. You need to know what type of app you want. There are pros and cons to both types.

At the end

Social planning apps have become a vital part of our lives after the pandemic. We can make new friends and explore the world with them. It is magical to see how we can connect to so many people. This post has discussed various aspects of using free meetup apps. If you wish to create your profile on a reliable and trusted meetup app, you should not wait to visit the App Store and download the Leaf App. Our meetup application is extremely trusted and has people of all interests. With this application, you will definitely find a nice company. Learn more about this app by exploring our website.

A detailed guide to hosting your events online

It's the season of spring. Many places in New York witness flower blooming accompanied with butterfly dances and sweet, warm breezes. A faint, aromatic air fills every corner of New York at this time of year, signifying happiness, calmness, and tranquility. The timing could not be any better than this to host your events online.

Do you love meeting new people? Then, this is the perfect time to organize small or large gatherings, based on your preferences, and meet with new people. Although nowadays, it is not necessary to visit a community or spread posters to organize local events in New York, many scheduling apps for friends, family, and strangers, such as Leaf, are available on the play store and app store that allows you to host your event online.

You can create a local or community event and add topics, ideas, location, and timings of the event and post them online. Many meetup events are organized this way.

Several times, pre-planned meetings get postponed or canceled because of several reasons. Some could be valid others can be made up. But whatever the reason may be, holding an event or making plans with friends often is difficult.

It's a normal thing to face difficulty hosting an event. Of course, because you need to take care of everything on your own and ensure that meetup is fun and engaging rather than dull and boring.

So, if it's your first time hosting an event, organize a meetup with strangers. Below are some points that will help you host your first meetup successfully.

Journalize your Idea

• Our brain is surely a powerful tool in our body. However, it has its own limits. For example, you can only remember a part of your whole day. So remembering each and everything can be difficult. So start Journaling your thoughts and ideas on the meetup.

• Think about how you want to organize your party? Surely you won't get the idea on the first go, but you will have a trail of thoughts after thinking about it. These thoughts will help you understand how you want it to be? Is it going to be a leisure meetup, dinner, going to an amusement park, or simply having a cup of coffee in the library?

• Of course, you will have a ridiculously large number of ideas in your mind, and keeping a track on all of them is humanly not possible. So, keep a journal or notebook with you and write down everything you are thinking about. So that later on, you can look at them and get creative ideas to host your events online.

• After you write, strike off the unnecessary points or do not fit in with the overall goal of your meetup. You have to understand that every meetup has a goal, whether to learn more about each other, increase the network of people, discuss a common issue, or just hangout.

• Be sure to convey the aim of your meetup to people and attract people who have the same idea as you and want to contribute to your event. This is particularly true when you have a specific topic genre that can only interest a handful of people, and inviting other people can make all your work go in vain.

Organize your idea

• As we said earlier, jot down every idea you have, and once you have the collection of ideas, strike off what's inappropriate and consider useful ideas. Ideas can come from anywhere; maybe while organizing, an idea will cross your mind, which is better than your previously written idea, or mix a bunch of ideas to create a brand new idea.

• Whatever it may be, organizing your ideas will align your thoughts and come out with a clear intention for the meetup. Of course, if you are a group of friends, then anything is fine. However, if you are planning strangers meet up. Then directing the flow of meetings is essential to keep the fire alive during your event.

• Think about what you want to do, what topics you want to discuss, where to meet, and what fun activity you want to include in the meetup. Then, generally organize everything, to know what follows after usual hello and hi's.

• This will also help you and the attendees who run out of ideas get an idea and maintain an interesting conversation.

Sign up to meet up apps

• If you want to make plans in NYC, you need to use smarter ways. NYC is a city of technology that first finds a 'need' for technology and then develops the technology. And hosting meetings online is also the same thing.

• Meetup apps allow you to create an event and post it online to find interested candidates to join. You can select the number of people, adjust timings, choose a location, post the event, and ask people to join.

• You can send invites to your friends and ask them to join your event. Moreover, these apps also allow you to start a conversation and know about each other more. So that you can have a decent idea about the people you are meeting at the event.

Be courteous

• If you are hosting an event, reach the event location on time. As the host, you should be the first person to take the lead. This marks a positive impact on other people you have invited. Lastly, be kind and generous with your words. You don't need to be formal, but keep it appropriate and respect their ideas.

• Often in such meetings, despite having common interests, the thoughts may not match, which may lead to dispute. In such times, keep an open mind. It's unnecessary that you are always right and do not get defensive. Instead, respect the other person's opinion about the topic and understand why they think it that way.

• One of the fundamental principles during meetups is listening to understand, not respond. As many people are habitual of responding to people without thinking about what they are saying, this can be a big red flag in your event.

• Be respectful and mind the other person's boundaries and keep calm during the event. Pay extra attention to people's thoughts and try not to provoke people.

How are meetups beneficial for you?

Since the last few years, many people have stayed indoors and didn't have much opportunity to meet new people or even with their friends. So, as the rate of the pandemic is declining every day, people have started falling back to their old patterns and want to enjoy others' company.

Increase your network

• Meeting new people builds your network. So what's the difference between a politician and a normal man? The difference is between the size of the network. A normal man has a network of relatives and friends, but a politician has a huge network of people, including friends and relatives.

• Meeting people at events and connecting with them builds your network of people. This network of people can help you land a new job, find a new client, or maybe find someone to say 'I do' in the church.

Expand your knowledge

• Knowledge is the only thing that increases when you spend it. The more people you meet and learn from their experience, the deeper your knowledge grows.

• In events, you meet people from various backgrounds allowing you to understand and learn from their experiences. After all, people's experiences are more valuable than any degree or textbook.

There are majorly two types of people- Introverts and extroverts. While extroverts love talking to people and enjoy events, introverts do not. But introverts do have social batteries. So as long as their social battery is charged, they will indulge themselves and talk a lot. But as soon as it runs out, introverts disappear. But meetup events can work for both types of people.

Meetup for extroverts

Well, there's nothing to say. You are already good at speaking and love talking to people, so it is obvious that you will enjoy meetup events. As talking and knowing about other people is natural, hosting community events in New York will be easy for you.

Meetup for Introverts

As introverts are already shy, it can be a little difficult to push yourself out of your comfort zone. However, hosting events with fellow introverts and planning the topic beforehand will ensure that you host a successful event. Because 'Topic' is the only problem with introverts, and if you can come up with interesting and common topics, your event is successful.

Wrap up

A well-planned event will ensure your first-ever hosted meetup will be a great success. Host your events online using meetup apps like Leaf to post an event status, get the attention of like-minded people, and increase your network to ensure a successful event.

These apps are also helpful to make plans with friends and let you have responses from them. So next time you make a plan with friends, try using meetup apps.

Best fun activities for group outings in NYC in December 2021

Congratulations! December is on. And December is the month in which you will see almost everyone celebrating something, or going shopping in New York. One of the best things about December in New York is that it is packed with festivals, events and celebrations. Thus, you will find something new every day when you walk around New York's streets this month.

 And as there are so many things to do on meetup in New York during December, it is the best time to plan group outing in NYC. Although there is nothing bad about traveling alone, it’s nicer to make friends in New York and enjoy the holiday month with them. 

 And now, there are a thousand things you can do in New York this month, but it won't be possible to do that in just 24 hrs. Thus, we have chosen some of the best activities and events you can do in New York this month. But first, we will list some basic things you can do to enjoy this festival season in New York. And at the end of this blog, we will list some special events to attend and enjoy in New York this month. So let's start. 

You would also like to read: A Socialized Guidebook on “How to Interact With Groups to Meet People”

Go to Bryant Park for a winter village

If you love food, shopping and skating, then Bryant Park is the place for you this December. You will find a winter village in Bryant Park, close to the Bank of America. The winter village is famous for its fantastic food and lots of shopping kiosks. So it is a must-see for foodies and shopaholics. You will also find a 17,000 square foot ice-skating rink here, and it's completely free to skate. However, you need to bring your own skates. So, gather your group and visit Bryant Park but don’t forget your jackets as December is very cold in New York. It is a good option for group outing in NYC. Also, make sure you follow the Covid guidelines and protocols while traveling. 

The Holiday Light Show at Bronx Zoo

 If you love lights and animals, Bronx Zoo is the best place for you to visit at this time of the year. You will see an LED and lantern representation of about 260 animal species. The zoo is basically divided into five parts, each representing the animal species from different continents and regions, including Africa, Latin America, North America, Asia and the Oceans. There is also a forest of color inside the zoo which interprets 21 new larger-than-life lantern representations of some specific animals, such as toads, snails, etc.

And this year, the zoo has also added around 79 new lantern representations, including 30 new animal species. So don't be late and visit Bronx Zoo today. 

The Rockefeller Christmas tree

We are not exaggerating but Christmas in New York is kind of incomplete without the seeing the Rockefeller Christmas tree. One can say that it is the signature Christmas tree of New York. You can see the Rockefeller Christmas tree near the ice-skating rink at the Rockefeller Center. You will also see it when you are roaming on the roads of Times Square. Hence, if you are looking for group outing in NYC, you should consider this as an option.  From December 1 until the New Year, the Rockefeller Christmas tree is lit every morning from 6am to midnight but especially on Christmas Eve, the tree is lit for 24 hours.     

The Holiday Lightings in Central Park

In case you want to enjoy something Christmassy with your family, you should visit the Holiday Lightings in Central Park. It has been around 20 or more years that the Central Park Conservancy has been arranging Charles A here during the Christmas month. So, if you are visiting Central Park with your family, you can listen and even sing some lovey holiday carols with other visitors. 

The NYBG GLOW!

The NYBG GLOW is an abbreviation for the New York Botanical Garden Glow. And this is only the second year of NYBG GLOW. So at this time of the year, you will find the New York Botanical Garden fascinatingly lighted with thousands of low-energy LED lights that look much more beautiful at night than during the day. A 1.5 mile walk surrounded by beautiful lights. 

The Lumino City Festival 

This festival started as a light festival in New York a few years back but lately, it has become popular. So it is a beautiful light festival that happens around Christmas. In earlier years, the show happened on Randall's Island in 2019, and it was a huge hit. This year, the festival will happen at Whitney Pond Park in Long Island. And this time, the festival will be a 45-minute walking, with a narrative to follow and towering LED sculptures. This year, the theme of the Lumino City Festival is Shine Again. You will also see Lumi's Utopia and Lumi's Friends. It’s an outdoor event and will be guided by Lumi, the LuminoCity mascot.  

Museum of Ice Cream's Pinkmass

So, just like Christmas, it is Pinkmass for the Museum of Ice Cream. The event started on November 18 and it will go on until January 9. You will find 13 multi-sensory installations bursting with snowflakes and candy canes and there are many more events happening in the museum, such as decorating MOIC trees and crafting ornaments. You can also try many different kinds of sweet treats there. 

You can also get a special surprise in the hunt for a candy cane sprinkle. It is hidden inside MOIC NYC's world famous Sprinkle Pool.

The Radio City Rockettes' Christmas Spectacular

If you are in New York this Christmas season, you must see the Christmas Spectacular. This year, it is starring the Radio City Rockettes. It's a holiday stalwart where you will get the full Christmas vibes with Santa, wooden soldiers and dazzling Rockettes. And lately, it has become more astonishing with sparkling, attractive costumes, new music and advanced technology. Another mind-blowing thing about this event is the big dance numbers, especially by the Rockettes. 

New York's Festive Cocktail

Well, it's December and snow is obvious in New York. There are very few things as delightful as drinking a hot beverage in snowy New York. But have you ever tried a hot beer?

Yes, we are seriously talking about hot beers. If you have not tried a warm beer before, go to the Loreley Beer Garden to try one. And don't be scared before trying any beer here. These beers are warm, tasty and feel Christmassy as well. In case you want to try some more delicious hot beverages, visit the Rivington Street Destination or try the Outdoor heated beer garden. 

Now let's discuss some Christmas celebration events that will be hard to forget and will be forever in your mind if you attend them. Get ready to make some unforgettable memories. 

The Circle Line Holiday Sight Cruises

New York looks beautiful when walking around the city but have you seen the city while floating on the waters, that too at night? Oh, the city looks amazing at night and with Circle Line Holiday Sighting Cruises, you can enjoy the amazing views of NYC's skyline, the lit-up Statue of Liberty and other famous places of the city with cruise experience. But it's not just any cruise; it's the Christmas Celebration Cruise which includes a buffet dinner, an open bar with beer, wine and other cocktails, plus a DJ for the night. 

However, all these facilities come at a price. The cost for a single person is $199 for one night and for kids under the age of 12, it is $179. Children under 3 are not charged.  

Pulitzer Fountain on Fifth Avenue

If you visit, and you should visit, the Pulitzer Fountain on Fifth Avenue, you will see the fifth installation of the Fifth Avenue Association this December. Although the Pulitzer Fountain itself a very beautiful place to visit, . But around Christmas the celebrations and decorations here are worth seeing. This year, you'll see 32 hand-designed animal sculptures by Harlequin Designs, . Then there are 5,000 feet of lighting, a beautiful skating rink and about 24 handmade icebergs. But that is not all; there is also wonderful music composed by Paul Brill. Don’t forget to wrap up with plenty of layers to keep yourself warm. 

Cozy Igloos at the Rockefeller Center

According to our personal experience, we can say that a cozy warm igloo in snowy weather at the Rockefeller Center is truly unforgettable. Along with this amazing experience, you will get a view of the beautiful 79-foot-tall Rockefeller Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center. In addition, Maryland's heated domes at the Rockefeller center are an amazing place to be on a cold December evening. It can accommodate a maximum of 8 guests in one dome at a time and offers full-service dining.

Some of the special servings of these cozy dooms are mulled wine, hot chocolate and spiked cider, along with signature wines and snacks. 

The Train Show at NYBG

If you love trains and train shows, you must visit the train show at the New York Botanical Garden. They have been presenting their train show every year around Christmas for the last 30 years. So, if you are obsessed with train shows, it's a must-see for you. This year, the botanical garden is featuring 25 G-scale model trains running on a half-mile track. And along with that, there will be about 175 miniature NYC landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty, the Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge and other  landmarks.

Classic Holiday Shows

Around Christmas, you will find a concert or show going on in New York almost everywhere. So, it is a little bit hard to decide which concert to see. We have listed some of the best Classic Holiday shows you should attend this December:

The Winter Solstice celebration of St Johns is a have-to-go holiday classic show. As per the Winter Solstice, the event will take place on December 17 and 18 and it will be live-streamed as well, if you can’t attend in person and want to watch it online.  

Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular is another name on the great classic holiday shows list. Live streaming has already begun and will be streamed until January 2. 

But if you don't want the conventional Christmas celebrations, try the Hip Hop Nutcracker. The show takes place in Flatbush, Brooklyn on December 19, and here you will find the classic Tchaikovsky score with a blend of modern dance. 

New Year's Eve at Times Square

There are few things in New York that can beat the enthusiasm of celebrating New Year's Eve in Times Square. So, if you are in New York for the New Year celebrations, keep New Year’s Eve in Times Square on your bucket list. But do note that this event is famous all over America so there will be an huge crowd. Also, the entry at the event is on a first-come, first-serve basis. So, the earlier you go, the better you will be seated or standing. Also, the event is barricaded, and occupancy will be limited. The event starts at 6 pm on New Year's eve and will end at midnight. There are no washrooms or bathrooms inside the barricades; once you go inside, you can't come out until the event ends so plan accordingly. 

How Should You Plan?

We know you want to celebrate your Christmas month in New York but as the covid pandemic hit America hard last year, it is advisable to follow the government's precautions to avoid any problems. Also, the emergence of the new Omicron variant, restrictions should be strictly followed. 

You may also like to Read: Welcome in 2022 with a BANG: Make Plans in NYC with Social Meeting Apps

 If we talk about restrictions, restaurants and theaters will be open but indoor dining will only be allowed to those customers who are fully vaccinated. In case you are visiting America from any other nation, the US government has banned travel from 8 specific nations due to the emergence of the new Omicron Covid variant. The eight nations are – Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Namibia and Zimbabwe. However, there is no ban on US citizens returning to the USA from these nations. Also, the US has denied access to unvaccinated travelers from other nations. 

So, do read the Covid guidelines and follow them while making plans for group outing in NYC. 

You can also try social event planning platforms, such as Leaf, to plan events and outings with your friends. You can visit Leaf's website to learn more.  

Scheduling App for Friends: Enjoy This Festival Season With Your Loved Ones

"No, sorry, I can't make it this time." Are you tired of this statement, too? Unfortunately, it happens a lot of the time.

Trying to organize a meet with your long-lost friends or teammates is hard. No matter how hard you try, they just can't agree on a particular date or even the place they want to go! If you are in charge of planning get-together, you know how tedious that can be. Matching a time when people are actually available is a tough task. Even if you’re not usually the coordinator, sometimes you get trapped in a huge chat where no plans are solidified. Finding time in a packed schedule for your friends can be challenging, especially when you're trying to find free time with another ten people as well. Actually, you need to choose a time that works for everyone. That is why a scheduling app for friends was created. They make the planning process painless. There are a number of super-helpful apps that take the stress out of planning and allow you to merge schedules and group to-do lists. You can see friends’ suggested locations or invite new members into the chat.

Basically, there are three modes to choose from – Going Out, Flexible or Busy – your friends must choose between them. But some avoid your message or may not even bother about the plan. As a negative impact, the ones who really wanted to go suffer. Don't worry about entering a group full of strangers. A scheduling app for friends will enable you to mitigate unnecessary plans and ultimately reduce friction. You can only focus and spend time on deserving friends. A user is able to explore group scheduling tools to create a more effective meeting process.

Get Started with a Free Scheduling App for Friends

Gone are the days when we had to wait for months to meet a friend. Luckily, there is a meetup scheduling app for friends to simplify the process of friends get-together. It is fun to get out of your comfort zone and include new social activities in your life. Meeting long-lost friends is really crucial in such times. However, if you make a new group plan, you must have the confidence to start a conversation with someone who shares the same interests. So, make a quick list of the activities that you love and are most comfortable with. Need some good ideas? Here is a list:

1.Volunteer in the community - when you have a passion for finding others and communicating with them, the scheduling app is perfect. Spend a few hours to find an organization of your‘s or your friend's choice. Out of all the great places to meet friends, volunteering for a cause ranks very high. Explore the perfect volunteer opportunity by entering your city and interesting areas. Consider these worthy causes:

• Children and youth

• Animal welfare

• Human rights and advocacy

• Education and literacy

• Disaster relief or crisis support

2. Make a sports team - it's not possible to meet your friends often. So, it's better to make a sports team with highly athletic people or just enjoy having fun through games. Schedule your sports league with various scheduling apps for friends. From competitive softball to flag football, sports leagues create great ways to get together with friends or meet new friends, especially in cities, such as New York, where people love to play rugby or join gaming clubs. 

3. Go for a dance/gym class - Joining gym and dance classes with friends is fun. It's a great way to be social and stay fit. Add an extra layer of group exercises. You can find something enjoyable and maybe someday, you will find the perfect workout partner in the gym. Group gym sessions are the new goals. Stay together and get fit together. With a scheduling app for friends, you can create a proper setup and invite friends at a particular time. Boost your chances of making strong bonds and staying active in your social life.

4. Run a local race - You may hear people saying that road races are the ultimate exercise but have you experienced them with friends? If not, you are missing out on something major here. Communal events and running clubs offer excellent ways to meet new people and have fun with old friends. The benefits of getting involved in a running community are marvelous. See your town from a new perspective and break a sweat with your friends today on the roads.

5. Cultural clubs - share your love and respect for religion or cultural activities, too. Becoming active in the local mosque or church helps you engage with like-minded people.  If you have strong ties with culture, consider seeking out the local club that represents this in your city. Moreover, it's a great way to start a Sunday at church and end at a bar. Not only that, book clubs are also very much appreciated. Reading together in a group is widely known for stimulating your brain and overall emotional health. A scheduling app for friends can arrange a book meeting for everyone so you can get together and read your favorite books.

6. A tip to beach or lake - relax and relieve all your stress with the sun! A great book hand, a mojito and playing volleyball with friends: spending time at the beach with friends is a fun activity; it creates opportunities through which you can get to know each other better. If your current friends are not ready for this, make new friends on meetup sites and use a scheduling app for friends to plan outings with them.

7. Go to bars with events, like a trivia night - who doesn't love trivia nights? If you enjoy competitive trivia sessions, invite your whole group to a local bar or brewery to enjoy the evening with you. Most of them will join the event happily. For those without a group, the trivia managers can also arrange a team of people. You can create the funny, innovative name of your group. Go through the internet to find them.

You may also like to read: A Socialized Guidebook on “How to Interact With Groups to Meet People

8. Visit museums, zoos or national parks - spending quality time in public places is the best way to keep in touch with nature and yourself. The visit will take a whole day and you have to use a scheduling app for friends in order to plan this day. A group of people who are interested in such activities will join you. Many cities have a variety of museums and so does New York. NY is a beautiful city and if you are inclined to spend the day with animals, NY’s zoos are waiting. Other than that, there are over 59 national parks in the US. You can purchase an ‘America the Beautiful Pass’. The pass will give you access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites. You can share your experience with others as well.

9. Local music and food festivals - festivals are centered around fun. Luckily, at this time of the year, the festival season is going on in the US. Attending local music, food or art festivals is the best way to meet your friends. Schedule every event with them on the scheduling app for friends and often include group activities like competitions, games and demonstrations. You can read the NYC calendar in our previous blog for more details.

10. Cooking class - learning something new will open you up and build confidence. It's better that you want to do things with your friends. So, invite them to your next cooking session. It is a fantastic way to make new connections, too. Join language classes which offer access to groups and where you practice with others.

11. Shop at local stores - local business owners must get a chance and good revenue during the festival season. They are always eager to meet and serve their community. During the festival period, there are extreme sale options and new arrivals to enhance the start of next year.  Spending time in the local boutiques and restaurants of NYC will help you build relationships with hard-working shop owners and your friends. Invite your shop buddies and increase the #shoplocal trend.

12. Go to the local brewery - craft beers have always been popping up and they have been explored a lot in recent years. Almost every town has at least one brewery. Explore great breweries and take up the offer of tours or making classes to your friends. Cities with large collections of breweries see weekend tours and even specific bus tours take you to multiple breweries over the span of a day so you can enjoy the whole day and have fun with your friends.

13. Farmer's market- Many towns offer monthly farmer’s markets that are full of local products. This is just like shopping locally direct from the farmers. It is a great way to support the community and surround yourself with people who are interested in doing the same. Enjoy healthy living and good food with farmer’s markets. Diversity of regions and people attend such events. Arrange your ext meetup at farmer's market through scheduling app for friends.

Finding a Time That Works for Everyone

It is challenging to schedule plans and meetings at times. Here are a few tips for creating an ideal meet-up through a scheduling app for friends.

Provide proper details

Have you ever been to a meetup and the first couple minutes spent figuring out who actually organized the meeting? What was the purpose of this get-together? Were there any agendas to follow? A single objective can change everything or create confusion.  The statement at the invitation plays a major part - "Hey friends, we are getting together this weekend to celebrate my promotion” or “We are going to discuss the new environmental plan".  Make it clear why you are gathering people. Make sure whoever is interested must come and join the meetup soon.

Prepare a motive

If you are meeting more than one person in your meetup arranged through a scheduling app for friends, you will find it helpful to have a plan. Tangents happen and sometimes they happen for a good reason. For example, if group discussions have no motive, there will be nothing left worth seeking attention. So, there must be a plan on which people are comfortable to talk and give their opinions. It's respectful for everyone to join and stay for better communication. This will help to build a better meetup and interested people will become participants again.

Communication value

In addition to that, a scheduling app for friends is famous for communication. Having an objective only will not matter; you need question and answer as well. All group members must participate actively in the meetup. Perhaps the conversation reveals something innovative or fun. Everyone must know what’s in it for them and how they’ll be presented throughout.

Consider time zones

For any person in your group, you must keep in mind any different time zones. All the participants must be present for a particular time zone. You can see their Google Calendar or make plans with friends in the scheduling app for friends. It's important that everyone is comfortable with the time zone. Make sure you don't make any sudden changes at the last moment. Avoid bookings just a day or two before the meet-up.  In order to have the most productive time, set up everything properly. Everyone needs a chance to participate adequately.

Don't schedule a meeting on ‘back off’ days

There is always a particular day, like a Monday or Tuesday, when everyone is busy with their own schedule. Don’t pick the days and times that are not productive for them or have some personal activities planned - Saturdays and Sundays are ideal – so their task won't be interrupted by your meet-up. If you’re the one being invited to a ton of meet-ups from the scheduling app for friends, choose the ones you want and decline others.

Closure

Perhaps socializing with planning is all that we need today. Finding new friends and meeting old ones can happen easily with scheduling app for friends. The online forum helps you schedule meetings with friends. Be confident and outshine yourself to new social connections. Establish genuine friendships and make sure you meet them. Now that you have scheduling apps, you don't have to worry about arranging meet-ups. Start scheduling your events with friends and family today!

Welcome in 2022 with a BANG: Make Plans in NYC with Social Meeting Apps

NYC remains the beating heart of the USA, forever charming and beautiful! New York is home to 10 million people; there are tons of things to do and see here, too. The city exudes an incredible vibrancy few other cities in the whole world can compete with. Thousands of restaurants, museums, plays and quirky things make it more fun. Here you will experience a vivid celebration of life throughout the year, especially in December, which will leave you euphoric. This year, too, celebrations are in full force and you will find yourself surrounded by lights, music, dance performances, market fairs and holiday events. This is the best time to plan an epic trip to New York and visit the evergreen attractions, like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Empire State Building and Central Park. If you are planning for a weekend, there is so much to see that you will need a lifetime to do it all. Here is an ultimate guide on how to make plans in NYC and make the best use of the holidays. What are the best things to do and see in NYC? When is the best time to visit? How can you make the most of it? You will find answers to your questions in this post.

What makes New York more special in December?

Holiday cheer: New York is one of the best cities to spend the annual holidays. It is also known as the ‘melting pot of the world’ as it witnesses extreme holiday celebrations from various cultures across the globe. The festive season starts with Thanksgiving and flows through December until the New Year. That is why most people prefer to spend their holidays and make plans in NYC.

Calm environment: The city witnesses two phases – the first couple of weeks don't have many tourists so you can enjoy shopping with fewer queues. But if you love a crowd and being in the thick of things, enjoy the last weeks of December when there is holiday madness all around. Flight and accommodation expenses reflect this as well; choose the kind of experience you want!

Shopping frenzy: New York has multiple sales during the Christmas market fairs and pop-ups. As a result, the city is ideal for festive shopping. Even window shopping is a treat here, going over the top with holiday decorations. In addition, you can see special shows, like a Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes and Nutcrackers, plus several music concerts to entertain you and the entire family.

Fabulous weather: If you want to make plans in NYC, make sure you choose December. Winter is in full force and temperatures drop during this month. The average daytime temperature is 7°C and it often goes down to 0°C at night. In addition, you can expect rain and windy snowstorms to hit the city towards the end of the month.

Top plans to make in NYC this December

First, let's check out what's happening this year. Not everything will be the same this year due to COVID but luckily, New York's famous celebrations are still going on as scheduled. In addition to that, new social events and virtual components have been launched. For instance, Lumino City Festival is a newly-launched fair. Randall’s Island hosts an immersive light show. Anyone looking for a little holiday magic can visit this with family and friends. Rather than showcasing houses, take a walk through colorful sculptures inspired by nature, history, art and fantasy. There are food trucks, gift shops, galleries and many more fun places.

Make it a music winter: a not-so-Silent Night: Not every winter activity is about New Year’s or Christmas. December 21 is known as the shortest day of the year. On this day, people make plans in NYC and join a free outdoor music-making celebration hosted throughout New York City to commemorate the winter solstice. The Make Music Alliance is a non-profit organization that uses music to connect New Yorkers with their community and, guys, we all need to connect after the horror of the 2020 pandemic! Anyone can attend or participate in this free musical festival to sing, dance or play their instruments, whether via a smartphone or a harmonica.

There are musical parades and each one is different; they’re encouraged to be outdoors with security this year. Be sure to read specific descriptions of each event before you go.

The famous Christmas Tree at the Rockefeller Center: The Rockefeller Center is the hub of holiday season during December. The giant Christmas traditional tree takes you back almost 100 years and seeing the famous Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is the highlight of the holiday season. All the lights and decorations will take your breath away and don’t forget to snap that iconic photo in front of the ice-skating rink. Visit the annual Christmas tree lighting during a ceremony featuring exceptional musical performances and special guests which all happens after Thanksgiving weekend. This event is one of the most crowded in the city but is a must when you make plans in NYC. However, this year, guests will be limited to maintain proper distancing. If you can't make it to the plaza, you can still watch the lighting of the tree from home.

NYC Saks 5th Avenue Christmas Lightshow: After visiting the Rockefeller Center, you must check out the Saks 5th Avenue Christmas Lightshow. It starts around 5pm and does the full light show every 10-15 minutes. You can also see the show from the Rockefeller Center. Saks 5th Avenue is located at 611 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022.

Radio City Music Hall: One of the best things to do in New York City is to visit Radio City Music Hall in December. Every New Yorker's bucket list includes Rockettes dance night. Radio City Music Hall has been the spark of Manhattan, New York City, since 1932. The address is 260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020. Book your tickets in advance to avoid any inconvenience. Here you will find the iconic giant red Christmas ornament and beautifully decorative court. Vendors are selling all types of goodies, including bags, paintings and wallets. If you don't manage to watch the show, make sure to go and see Radio City’s Christmas tree decorations; they are marvelous.

Ice-Skating: If you are making plans in NYC and still miss ice skating, your trip is incomplete. The three major ice-skating rinks, Rockefeller Center, Wollman Rink and Bryant Park, are favorite spots. When skating at Rockefeller Center, choosing to venture to one of the other rinks can be a safe bet. The crowds are smaller and you won't have to wait longer. Additionally, skating below the city's biggest Christmas tree is an amazing experience and a memorable moment. Wollman Rink is right inside Central Park, behind the zoo. The extraordinary combination of trees surrounding the city's architecture makes this the most enjoyable rink in the city. Finally, the Bryant Park ice skating rink is in the middle of the Winter Village. If you are looking to go skating at night, the Bryant Park ice skating rink is perfect.

It’s got classic holiday music, lights and food to entertain you when you’re not skating. This year at Bryant Park, reservations can be made online to limit the number of skaters on the rink. Also, instead of locker rooms for storing your stuff, you will get a free drawstring bag to carry things with you on ice.

Christmas Windows on Fifth Avenue: Window displays along Fifth Avenue are the most dazzling ones in the world; they glow more, especially in December. As you walk up and down the streets for holiday shopping, take time to admire these lights and decoration. The best ones are seen in Saks Fifth Avenue (right across the street from the Rockefeller Center). If you are there in the evening, be sure to stick around for the light show. The dancing lights and play on a loop every 10 minutes.

Holiday Shopping in December in New York City: One of the best things to make plans for in NYC is to check out our one-of-a-kind artists’ markets, flea markets, craft fairs or shopping festivals. The special market offers antiques, lots of food and drink, deep bargains and a festive shopping atmosphere. Explore the top markets in the city, ice skate, sip hot cocoa and shop your way through fantastic holiday markets. Shop for unique, memorable gifts for your family and friends. Review Grand Central Holiday Market, Shops at Winter Village Bryant Park, Union

Square Holiday Market, and more holiday market shopping tours. Cross off holiday shopping list like:

• Holiday Shops at Bryant Park - October 29, 2021 – January 2, 2022

• Grand Central Holiday Fair - November 15 - December 24, 2021

• Union Square Holiday Market - November 18 - December 24, 2021

• Columbus Circle Holiday Market - November 27 - December 24, 2021

Choose private NYC Christmas market shopping Tours if you want to be guided around the best markets in NYC. The December designer sample sales from L’Oreal, Autumn Cashmere, Diane von Furstenberg, and many more are worth a visit, too. Stay up-to-date with New York City’s Sample Sale Calendar.

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights: Get into the holiday spirit with one of the largest zoos in the country. Bronx Zoo features a range of seasonal entertainment and decorations. Stilt walkers, holiday treats, costumed characters, the wildlife theater, Christmas trees, five animal lantern safaris and an ice carving competition – you can enjoy all of them here.

New York Botanical Garden Glow: The outdoor light experience will light up the grounds with thousands of energy-efficient LED lights. So, get ready for the second annual NYBG Glow! You can walk the expanded 1.5 miles with even more illuminated displays, including plant stories and picture perfect installations that reflect the surrounding garden. The Mertz Library Building and Haupt Conservatory are glowing centerpieces. There is a dance performance with other seasonal activities and snacks for people to enjoy. Tickets are on sale now!

New Year’s Eve Celebration at Times Square: Everyone has heard about the Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration; it is grand and marvelous! Being the city’s biggest event of the year, it starts early at 6am on December 31 and people continue celebrating until the next morning. Folks line up to watch the famous ball drop. This year everyone is so excited to attend the event after the havoc from the pandemic of 2020. But in-person attendance will be extremely limited this year. Live elements will be significantly scaled back. Plans are made to enhance the virtual broadcast of the celebration and make it more immersive for everyone so people will feel like they are there.

Tips for managing the crowd and enjoying a safer environment:

• If you are dining at a famous restaurant, make an early reservation. If the establishment doesn’t accept reservations, visit at off-peak hours. Have lunch or do an early dinner there.

• Want to avoid crowds and people in your photo? Wake up early and visit to take better photographs. Early means waking up at the crack of dawn and give yourself time to travel around the city.

• Everything will take time during the Christmas rush; using New York’s public transit system will be a cost-effective and quick way to get around.

Save big on things!

New York City coupons and discounts are available for almost everything one can do or make plans in NYC (except for a few exclusive events). This time of the year will be expensive but you can save big on tours, shows and other attractions. Don’t forget to include Elf The Musical, The Big Apple Circus, the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, museums, and lots more.

Are we missing something?

Celebrating the holidays in New York City can be like a dream come true. Though you are busy in the city, do visit around during Christmas and New Year’s Eve. If we have missed anything, please drop us an email and give us your feedback. Also, note that some activity details and events listed above can be affected due to COVID but as of now, everything is scheduled as planned. It's 2021 and you are in one of the greatest cities in the world; celebrate like an animal. Get ready for a wonderful time of the year and welcome in 2022 with the best local events in New York. Get into the spirit and when you visit the holiday markets, shop for great gifts and create memories with your friends and family.

So, are you ready to explore and make plans in NYC? Have a great holiday and do leave a comment expressing your unique holiday story!!

À Bientôt :)

A Socialized Guidebook on “How to Interact With Groups to Meet People”

About two decades back, we were unable to freely make a long distance phone call to our loved ones; Can you believe people used to wait in line so they could hear someone on the other end.?Today, the internet and virtual networks have overlapped all of this. With rising social media apps, friends now socialize and join groups to meet people using online environments. Through this, people find it easy to communicate and stay in touch.

Social meet-up apps have changed the game forever. They’ve begun a new era of converting a conversation into real-time meet-ups. They are connecting people across global spaces. The Internet has also spread its wings and we have multiple options. The wide array of platforms not only initiated communication but has enhanced virtual networks.

Why is social interaction important?

The power of social meeting apps in today's world is incredible. New York is a perfect example of a city that has recognized the importance of technology and worked towards it. Masses get together in groups to meet people with the same mindset or interests. The city is a live stage to many local events and formal meetups. Everyone benefits from this new medium of communication.

Socializing prepares individuals for participating in a group and illustrates the group’s expectations. Broadly defined, socialization is transforming values, beliefs and norms to others. The concept is very important for any age group and gender. In the past, people used to sit together and talk for long hours. Now they have shifted towards social media apps. Online chats and video calls have taken over.

What's your take on social apps?

How many times do you visit your Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or any other social networking website in a day gives you your answer! Growing virtual activities is addictive; it is considered odd if someone is not active on social platforms.  Daily traffic on these websites is enough for anyone to realize the influence and power they have over the world, both virtual and physical.

Massive social platforms have evolved to seek greater recognition and are identified for businesses, professionals, entrepreneurs and organizations. Social development has increased as the masses are creating groups to meet people nearby. Each app creates grouping and sharing options with specific features. They all work on the targeted audience by helping to build a community of like-minded people. Each group is based on certain interests, meetups, plans, locations and other common things. Let's have a look at some of the features that social meeting app offer people.

Defined groups: The user must be able to define their basic interests and the social meet-up app can help to form groups with friends and people who identify with them. Organizing a contact list would help more.

Automatic groups: You can easily find like-minded people and make groups to meet those people through social meet-up apps. Often the smart apps create automated groups; that means you don't have to define your circle anymore. Instead, the system automatically connects you with others.

Various profiles: The integration of profiles help users to choose matching profiles anywhere they wish to. They don't have to write the details again but can easily transport all the information across multiple apps. 

Update in real-time- Everything gets updated automatically. You can share information on social meeting apps in real-time and they will help you update it regularly, too. In addition, a lot of apps now have news feeds and status facilities.

Communicate- With group sharing apps, you can communicate with friends or people around your location easily and share your messages instantly with others. It is actually an easy way to talk and share your things.

Create groups to meet people- These apps help you create different groups where similar people can start talking and end up being friends. Moreover, real-time meet-ups enhance their bond and relationships. Nowadays, social grouping apps are on-trend.

Why Grouping Apps Work?

One of the biggest examples of grouping apps is Facebook where users can create groups through which they interact with numerous connections. The virtual path brings them all together and they can share thoughtful information easily. Social apps allow them to work offline and online as well.

Firstly, these groups help build genuine communication and interaction. Let's just say you work in different workplaces and you need to talk with someone. Phone calls are not feasible in such a situation. A private conversation can also look absurd. Such circumstances favor group social networking with friends as the best mode of conversation. Meeting apps have gone further than just creating groups to meet people online; they support real-time communication, too.

Social media trends keep changing and there is a growing need to take a step further. In fact, grouping apps are now offering people the opportunity to make conference calls, meet-ups at events and messaging, all for free. This step has had a major impact on people and improved communication. 

Characteristics

Social media apps are easily accessible to everyone and also a meeting point for today's generation. The major portion takes benefits of all the features stated above.  Social apps have open possibilities for direct access to clients without any intervention. Online friendships are coming out rather quickly. Humans are social creatures who crave communication and companionship. We luckily live in a digital age where the online space turns friendships into real bonds. If you are new to making friends and groups to meet people through social media, it may seem daunting at first but is better than other forms. Don't stress out; making new friends is not as difficult as you may think. With a little effort and knowledge, you can turn things around and create a new network of lifelong BFFs.

Tips to consider before making online friends

Update your online presence effectively: We all know an online presence matters a lot these days. After meeting someone new, the very first thing we do is Google their name. Clean your online reputation first and see how it works for you. Whenever we register on a social app, we need to register a profile with valid details. Maintain transparency so that more people can trust you. Let's just say you are going out with your friends to a local bar and you are eager to meet them. To make it more special, give a fine first impression. You will make an effort with your outfit, accessories and perfume so do the same thing with your online friends. While preparing for online friendships, freshen up your online image first to improve your chances of making a great impression.

Find your passion: if you are finding friends online and want to create groups to meet people, consider your interests and what are you passionate about. When you connect with someone, share your interests so that your relationship has a good start. This will not only list things in common but will also prompt a conversation so that you all become genuinely interested in the topic. The process increases your chance of a lasting conversation that’s deeper than usual. At small meet-ups, the dynamics of casual conversation automatically turn around when you start with simple topics. If the group meet-up is centered around an activity, structure your conversation around that. At large meet-ups, you need to mingle actively and try to talk to everyone. Joining a conversation is easy but starting one is a task. The simplest, quickest way to start a conversation is by introducing yourself. Once you start, move on to asking fancy questions like:

1. "How long have you been in town?"

2. "What kind of fun activities do you do in your free time?"

3. "What places do you like in New York?"

Here are a few ideas that you can work on to form groups to meet people with common interests:

• Travel groups

• Local foodies

• Language lovers

• NY book clubs

• Local fitness group

• Science fiction enthusiasts

• French cinephiles

• Weekend hiking get-togethers

If your group is related to a hobby, you can ask about your shared interest. If you attend an occasional event, you can ask people what they thought about it. Most people are comfortable talking to a group but you may see someone who feels embarrassed and self-conscious about it. Well, there is no limit to the number of groups you create; just make sure you get the right ones.

Make your pitch strong- People are searching on the internet for interactive conversations. Whenever you send a message in an online group or with your friends, explain what made you connect with them. You can combine nice compliments and sentences to make a connection request.  For example, you can write: 

“Hi, Julie, my name is Chris. I just moved to New York and joined this amazing app. It's quite cool to see another personality like me in the group. Perhaps we could sync-up our walks and talk one day. Let us meet at this event and we will get to know more about each other. Either way, I’m so excited to be a member of this app and I look forward to speaking with more people like us soon. Take care!”

So, what do you think about it? Sure, it will work 100% time. This message conveys enthusiasm and shows how excited are you are to be interacting with groups to meet more people. Show common interests and show up at your meet-up. Chances are you will build a relationship for a significantly longer period.

Don't expect too much: one of the most important things you need to remember is you may find someone is perfect BFF material for you but they might not feel the same. Keep your expectations low. If you don't get replies or receive anything, that basically ends your chances of friendship with them. Don't take this personally. The phrase “it’s not you, it’s me” could actually be true in such cases. Perhaps the person doesn't have the same feelings and has too much on their plate that they can't connect with people for the time being. Also, if you want to make a connection with new groups to meet new people, don't expect anything from your schedule. You know how friendship works. Everyone is different with different priorities, responsibilities, expressions, expectations and personalities.

"Join a league"

Approaching groups is straightforward. You can create online groups to meet people on social planning apps. Introduce yourself or saddle up and listen to their conversation and chime in when you like. You can stay active in group discussions or have a one-on-one chat with someone you like. Social apps are a great place to start finding specific groups and communities. Find something that interests you to help narrow it down. Because people always want more friendships you are likely to find like-minded people, even in a small group of 50 people.

To sum it all up

We have survived through a pandemic crisis where we were all distant from each other and even friendships suffered. In such hard times, social apps were a savior. Thankfully, we are out of the pandemic but the friendship-making landscape is forever altered. We can now create groups to meet people with full power and internet resources help us do that. It is now easier to make friends online and have real-time meetings with them. Identify your interests and see how you can connect with others through them. Some groups are centered on careers, hobbies and business. One way to meet new people is by practicing your social skills through meet-up apps. Having a chance to meet and greet people comes with a golden opportunity; now it’s up to you to take it forward.

Sign up for a few selected apps and websites. Then send your first message and attend any random meeting event. Your next friend is waiting for you around the digital corner!