The smell of gingerbread, hot chocolate, and the sound of the first snow… There are many romantic Christmas ideas to indulge in.
But there's also a side of Christmas that isn't talked about.
Enter the Christmas break-up phenomenon. According to Information is Beautiful's leading data analysts, December is the month with the greatest number of breakups. More Facebook statuses changed from "in a relationship" to "single" in the two weeks leading up to Christmas. In particular, December 11th was the biggest break-up day of the entire year.
Are your Christmas dates ruined?
The Christmas break-up phenomenon can be shocking news, but don't let this dampen your Holiday spirit! Instead, take the holiday season as an opportunity to communicate and strengthen your relationship.
Know these festive trends so you can make informed decisions regarding your relationship.
Coined by relationship expert Tina Wilson, tinseling is when couples try to bury their true feelings under the holidays' festivities. The name comes from tinsels, which are the flashy and glittery strips of foil that often drape Christmas trees.
Couples choose to maintain a facade of harmony and togetherness. All while overlooking unresolved problems in the relationship," Wilson describes.
If your partner crams in a bunch of Christmas date ideas all of a sudden, this could be tinseling.
Common signs of tinseling include: avoiding deep conversations, a hyper-fixation on holiday activities, and over-the-top festive energy that can't be explained.
One of the newest holiday trends affecting Christmas couples is sledging. Sledging is the act of delaying a breakup until after the holiday season. A person who sledges their partner does so for a variety of reasons. This includes physical reasons like sex, emotional reasons like companionship, and social reasons like avoiding the stigma of being "alone" on the holidays.
According to Psychology Today, the most common signs of sledging include: avoiding talks about the future, a lack of interest in the other person, a physical-heavy relationship, and annoyance at the smallest things.
Named after Scrooge from Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, scrooging is when a person breaks up with their partner so they don't need to spend big on gifts.
Sheela Mackintosh-Stewart, a former divorce lawyer, explains, "Christmas 'scrooging' has become a convenient excuse to dump a partner when they don't want to deal with the underlying issues and conflicts that are the real issues."
Common signs of scrooging include a sudden breakup text, no holiday planning, and constant excuses not to hang out.
Christmas is the perfect time to cozy up with someone special and create lasting memories together. This Christmas to-do list is designed to keep things romantic all December long.
These are some of our favorite Christmas date ideas that leave plenty of room for hand-holding, cuddling, and so much more:
Ice Skating: Skate across an outdoor ice rink surrounded by festive lights and holiday music. It's one of the most classic ways to live the perfect winter wonderland moment. Indoor ice skating is another great option for those of you who are sensitive to the cold.
Tree Decorating Party: Spend an evening decorating a Christmas tree with ornaments, tinsels, and lights. Throw in some hot chocolate, eggnog, or wine to the mix for a more relaxed experience.
Holiday Movie Marathon: Pick up your favorite Christmas movies, binge on some popcorn, and cuddle! If you need movie suggestions, you can't go wrong with Home Alone 1 and 2, Elf, and How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
Gingerbread House Building: Pour your creativity into a friendly gingerbread house competition. This is another classic that's easier now than ever with affordable and convenient gingerbread kits.
Fireplace Cuddles: Set up a time to unwind and cuddle with your loved ones. If you don't have a fireplace to cuddle by, a pillow forte or just the bed works too! Add some festive music and just enjoy each other's warmth.
Winter Wonderland Walks: Go to a "winter wonderland" pop-up near you or walk around a decorated neighborhood. When it gets cold, there's no shame in hand-holding and hugs, too.
Drive-Through Light Shows: Take a drive through a Christmas light show and be immersed in the lights and intricate designs.
Bake Christmas Cookies Together: Have fun baking and decorating Christmas cookies together. Whether you go for traditional sugar cookies or try some new recipes, it's a sweet and playful activity to enjoy as a couple.
Make Dinner Together: There's nothing more romantic than a home-cooked meal together. Share laughs, experiment with seasonal ingredients, and make a dinner that you're both proud of.
These Christmas ideas can be intimate and may set you up for a steamy night. For new Christmas couples, this is how to kiss someone for the first time.
These fun and festive Christmas ideas are ideal for foodies, adventurers, and anyone looking to add a little extra magic to their holiday season:
Make Eggnog: Make eggnog from scratch! If you're feeling lazy, you can also buy some from the store. Do what you want with this information, but alcohol tastes great in eggnog, too (aka one of our favorite Christmas activities for adults).
Indoor Christmas Picnic: Set up a cozy indoor picnic with festive foods like roast ham and candied sweet potatoes. An indoor Christmas picnic means all the fun of Christmas while being warm and cozy inside.
Have a Snowball Fight: Relive your childhood fun with an epic snowball fight. No snow, no problem! Take advantage of plush snowballs and rolled-up socks for an equal amount of fun as the real deal.
Play in the Snow: There's more than just snowball fights, too. Build snow angels, snowmen, or even a snow dog! Again, if it doesn't snow around you, there are plenty of snowless alternatives to consider.
Visit Christmas Markets: Wander through a local Christmas market and enjoy the festive lights, unique gifts, and seasonal treats. It's a great way to soak up the holiday cheers. You might even be able to do Christmas shopping here, too.
Wish you had a partner to celebrate these fun Christmas activities with? Meet women tonight and become the newest Christmas couple in town!
If you're a couple looking to express some creativity this Christmas, our Xmas date ideas are for you. These Xmas date ideas go beyond the ordinary and offer memorable experiences that bring Christmas couples together.
Plus, most of these are Christmas things to do at home so you can stay comfy inside:
Christmas Karaoke: Sing your heart out to holiday songs like "All I Want for Christmas Is You" for a light-hearted and joyful night. Sing, dance, and let all that creative energy out while celebrating the Christmas season.
Christmas Clay Making: Use air-dry clay to make cute trinkets and gifts that are perfect for the Holiday season! Relax and unwind with your partner by making clay gingerbread men, Christmas trees, and more that are perfect for Christmas stockings.
DIY Ornament Crafting: Get crafty by making personalized holiday ornaments together. You can customize them with paint, glitter, or meaningful symbols that reflect your relationship. You'll have the perfect keepsakes for this Christmas and the many more Christmases to come.
Holiday Game Nights: Host a festive game night with Christmas-themed board games or trivia. You can couple this with fun snacks and some wine and set yourself up for a fun and laughter-filled night.
Hot Chocolate Bar: Set up a DIY hot chocolate bar with different toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, sprinkles, and flavored syrups. Try each other's combinations and try to see who can make the best hot chocolate of the night.
The holiday season can be a romantic time for couples. But it can also be stressful. Between family gatherings, Christmas dates, and the other complexities that come with dating, it's easy to feel overwhelmed.
The Christmas season can put a strain on many Christmas couples.
Couples might avoid talking about what's bothering them in their relationship for fear that they'll ruin the holiday spirit. Christmas couples might try to "tough it out" until the holidays are over, but this is one of the worst mistakes they can make.
To navigate the holiday relationship trends we mentioned earlier, these are practical tips you need to follow:
Open Communication: Keep communication clear and honest. Share your expectations and discuss any concerns about the holidays, no matter how minor they feel. This way, you can squash minor issues before they spiral into something bigger.
Create Shared Traditions: There's nothing more special than having shared traditions. Whether it's baking cookies, watching holiday movies, or taking a walk through decorated streets, you can look forward to shared activities every year.
Balance Time Together and Apart: While quality time is important, don't forget to give each other space to recharge. You can certainly enjoy Christmas dates, but don't forget to spend time with family and friends too.
Show Appreciation: Small gestures like leaving a sweet note, giving a thoughtful gift, or simply saying "thank you" can go a long way. These small acts reinforce that the relationship is healthy and everything is okay.
Be Understanding and Flexible: Holidays can be hectic, and plans can change last minute. Stay adaptable and be supportive when things don't go as planned. Flexibility helps you both enjoy the season without unnecessary tension or stress.
Maria Biz is an expert in the field of dating and relationships with 7 years of experience. Her mission is to help you build successful relationships and find true love.
