Oh, yes!  I have much to say about this topic…and have some better ideas than popular media wants us to believe.

What brought this on?   I’ve been a guest on 3 podcasts in the past week to talk about the holidays and online dating, good idea or bad idea?

But I quickly found out all three wanted to lead off with “Cuffing Season”.  Ok, way to wind me up and be vocal.   Just total BS.   Somewhere, around 10-15 years ago, some PR person came up with an angle for a client---let’s call it cuffing season and get some PR.  UGH. 

Here’s what Wikipedia had to say about it:

Cuffing season is typically defined as the time of year when single people actively search for short-term romantic partners to spend the colder months with, typically (in Northern Hemisphere locations) from now, culminating with Valentine's Day. The term "cuff" is slang that alludes to handcuffs and means metaphorically to attach oneself to another individual.

Yeah, right.   We are too smart to buy into this---I’ve been actively helping clients find partners for nearly 30 years and never has one said “Hey, Andrea, I want to get cuffed”. 

So, let’s get real.  I love the holiday season---I’ve been single, divorced, and married during the holidays.  

But why do I love it for you?

1.        Abundant Social Opportunities Holiday parties, work and community events, and friend gatherings provide a readily available pool of potential dates

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2.       Positive Atmosphere Yes, people tend to be in the holiday spirit, taking time off if you are working, and it’s a very relaxed time to meet people.

3.       Less Pressure For some reason, people tend to not be so uptight about finding the right relationship and it shows in their dating expectations.  Then, boom, they meet someone.

4.       Tis the Season to Wear Sparkly Holiday Apparel And, how fun is that?  We feel special and what a way to show our holiday spirit on dates with festive clothing.  Suddenly that same old drinks first dates make you pull something holiday-ish out of your closet.

5.       People are in a Good Mood And, expectations with dating tend to be low as there are so many social events. And if you know me and work with me, my constant mantra is go into first dates with zero expectations---not high, not low. 

Bottomline, forget the cuffing stuff.

Go all out on holiday dating between now and December 22, 23rd.   Then pick it right back up online dating on December 26---You will be surprised how online activity increases between now, Thanksgiving and whichever December holiday you celebrate!

Have fun and no ugly Christmas sweaters on first dates.

Happy Dating and don't give up---

Warmly,

Andrea McGinty Founder, 33000Dates.com

Dating Expert/Dating Coach