Abstract: A method is taught for stimulating mixing at social gatherings. In one form, portable display articles such as name tags that bear one or more indicia or symbol are distributed to the guests. The guests are then given criteria for forming into groups with other guests. The guests move about to compare indicia with other guests, with a view to form groups wherein at least one indicia of each guest in a group relates to at least one indicia of all of the other guests in that group in accordance with the criteria. The process may be periodically repeated to form the guests into a series of different groups. The guests thus get to be in groups with different people, meeting new people and having the opportunity to interact with them. The portable display articles may take a variety of forms such as name tags, bracelets, food or drink containers, clothing such as hats, T-shirts, etc. The indicia may be single or multiple aspect and may be individual, in sets, or in multiple sets.