Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Topics: Dating trends, Dating
Niamh Spence
Dating trends come and go, and sometimes, a partner is just for Christmas it would seem.
With so many dating trends emerging left, right and centre, it can be hard to keep up and know what's what.
We've had 'simmer' dating and even gone back to more 'traditional' dating styles, and now in 2024, it appears 'sledging' is a new dating trend to look out for - and it's not as cute as it sounds.
No, it's not a festive winter themed date where you and your beau get to go out in the snow and enjoy sledging down hills.
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In fact, it actually means to continue dating someone or 'dragging them along' into winter and over Christmas, when actually the plan is to dump them soon after.
According to dating app happn, it's pretty common with Gen Z, as some are deliberately drawing out dates with people they’re not as interested in, or choosing to delay a breakup for months to avoid being alone over the festive period.
New research by happn found that over one in ten (15 percent) of single 18-25 year olds have kept dating the same person over the festive period - even though they didn’t really like them - with the intention to break things off after the season.
This isn’t just for casual dates either as a further 15 percent have wanted to break up with their partner for a while, but waited to do it until after Christmas and New Year.
Three quarters of these people (75 percent) also made the decision to split in November, but delayed it until after the New Year to avoid being alone.
The research also found that a quarter (25 percent) have even decided to break up as early as August but then ‘sledged’ their partner for months during the winter.
It might sound far-fetched, but reasons why Gen Z are dragging out their dates and relationships over the Christmas season included having someone to have sex with, cuddle with when it’s cold, to avoid feeling lonely in this magical time of year or avoid answering questions about being single, and even to have someone to bring to Christmas and New Year’s parties.
Claire Rénier, dating expert at happn, further explained why this trend is happening and what signs to look out for.
"Gen Z should look out for signs that they’re being ‘sledged’ to avoid their partner staying with them just through the Winter, with intention to break up soon after." she told Tyla.
"This can be toxic and a red flag. People shouldn’t be treated this way in what should be a loving and trusting relationship.
"It plays with people’s emotions and fosters short-term satisfaction. Instead, young people should find more authentic connections with people with shared locations and Hobbies.
"This way they can find partners that are genuinely interested in them and sustain a relationship to last beyond just the Winter!"