Press Release

client: Engage.com

Most Singles Prefer You Be Their Matchmaker™

This Holiday Season--Unless You Can Spring For Diamond Jewelry Or A Plasma TV--According To New Engage.Com Research

SAN FRANCISCO--December 11, 2006--Engage.com, the Internet’s first online relationship site where singles connect naturally by inviting their community of family and friends to be matchmakers™ for them, offers new research to help those shopping for singles on their holiday list. In a survey of more than 600 single adults conducted last week, 56 percent agreed that the best holiday gift they could get this year was to be introduced to an attractive, interesting single person. Single men were even more likely to than single women to prefer that friends and family introduce them this holiday season.

While tidings of comfort and joy may include a desire for romance for most singles, when asked in a separate survey question about specific gifts, some singles are opting for larger ticket items over a great date or potential future life partner.  When given a list including popular gift choices for this holiday season, singles ranked these gifts as their top five choices. 

What Single Men Want this Holiday Season:


  1. Plasma TV

  2. Introduction to an attractive single woman

  3. Clothing

  4. Sony PlayStation III

  5. Books or CD’s

What Single Women Want this Holiday Season:


  1. Clothing

  2. Diamond jewelry

  3. Introduction to an attractive single man

  4. Plasma TV

  5. Books

“Holiday shopping for singles on your list may be a lot more fun and economical this season, as single men report that an introduction to an attractive single woman would be a better holiday gift than Superbowl tickets, power tools, an Xbox, a Zune or a chartered trip to space, as recently offered in one upscale holiday catalogue,” said Joelle Kaufman, Vice President of The Experience at Engage.com.  “Single women would prefer to be set up on a date with an attractive man over other holiday gifts including wine, art, Manolo Blahnik shoes, an Hermes Birkin bag or an iPod,” Kaufman added.

It’s never too late to be a matchmaker for singles in your life with Engage.com where any adult, whether single or married, can log on and create a matchmaker profile for free.  Matchmakers can then invite singles they know to join them on the site, where they can vouch (write references) about their character, brag about the qualities that make them eligible and special, and actually introduce them to other singles on the site.  Although new to the Internet, matchmaking has played a part in marriages for hundreds and hundreds of years.  Engage research shows that half of all marriages in the United States are likely the result of someone reaching out and making an introduction between two singles.

Engage.com Matchmaking Tips For The Winter Holidays


  • Great matchmakers are good listeners:  Ask your friend about what has (and hasn’t) worked in past relationships and what qualities are must-haves in a potential romantic partner.

  • An introduction can ward off the Jingle Bell Blues: Singles sometimes get the Jingle Bell Blues, especially when they’re feeling pressure about their solo status. If your friend is feeling down, make a cheerful introduction to an eligible prospect. 

  • Let your instincts guide you:  Great matchmakers often have a “sense” that two people belong together--something that goes well beyond basic compatibility factors like age and location. Follow your hunches and gut feelings.

  • Look for key similarities, but some differences work too:  People don’t have to be clones of each other to be compatible, and some differences can compliment a relationship. That’s why engineers sometimes fall in love with artists, or Democrats with Republicans.

  • Sometimes you have to “sell” an introduction:  If you’re convinced that magic will happen when two people meet, do your best to overcome any reluctance on either side.  A little extra effort on your part may forever change two lives.

  • The more can be merrier for singles: Singles prefer to be introduced and then meet casually with no pressure by joining you, the prospective date and other friends for a holiday wine tasting, outdoor outing or dinner party.

About Engage.com

Founded by Suneet Wadhwa (co-founder of Snapfish.com) and entrepreneur Karen Wallace, developed with 16-year dating industry veteran and former Match.com executive Trish McDermott, and co-developed and endorsed by noted relationship expert Dr. Robert Epstein, former Editor in Chief of Psychology Today, Engage.com (http://www.engage.com) is the world’s first online relationship community where people connect naturally through their friends to find love.  There’s no scientific testing required to meet someone. Love happens on Engage in collaboration with your friends, the people who know you and love you the best.  Engage, a San Francisco Bay Area company is backed by Advanced Technology Ventures, Revolution Ventures and The Founders Fund (partners Peter Thiel and Ken Howery, co-founders of PayPal).