The festive period can be make or break for some couples.
While some loved-up duos can find the candlelit nights watching Love Actually and hand-in-hand walks through the snow SUPER romantic, others can find it daunting.
Is your relationship serious enough to exchange gifts? Whose parents are you visiting on Christmas Day? Do you bring your other half to your office Christmas party?
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All very important, often-dreaded, questions.
But according to one relationship expert, there's a brand new dating trend to be fearful this year: 'snow-storming'.
Dating pro and founder of the Wingman App Tina Wilson coined the intriguing term which describes an act that goes one step further than the already-familiar 'cob-webbing'.
'Cob-webbing' describes act of mentally and physically clearing out the cobwebs and cut ties with trashy exes, ghosting f**kboys and past toxic relationship, whereas 'snow-storming' is a more extreme approach to romance.
Speaking exclusively to Tyla, romance connoisseur Tina elaborated on the context of 'snow-storming'.
"There is no desire to get back with an ex," she explained. "And snow-stormers would rather risk not having a serious relationship over the Winter and Christmas season until they find the right partner to settle down with.
"Being a snow stormer is easier said than done and does take one some courage at this time of the year when the majority of daters prefer to be coupling up by this point."
Tina believes that transforming into a snow-stormer can actually lead you to feel more empowered, giving you the freedom to date when, and only when, you feel ready.
"It can be very cathartic if it’s done for the right reasons and gives you a clean slate to begin your romantic journey afresh," she said.
"A successful snow stormer will make a clean break for it and after the storm has passed they will move onto happier and brighter times."
READ MORE:
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On the subject of brand new Christmas dating terms, Tina also coined the term 'tinselling' to describe when couples attempt to ignore or even conceal the cracks in their relationship during the run up to the holidays.
This is seemingly an apt name for this brutal relationship stage, being that tinsel is often used to cover up gaps/rough patches on a Christmas tree.
"[Couples will] choose to maintain a facade of harmony and togetherness," she said. "All while overlooking unresolved problems in the relationship.
"The name draws inspiration from the shiny, cheerful veneer of tinsel which is used to decorate during the festive season, covering what is beneath."
Tina added that couples will use tinselling in dating as a 'deliberate distraction' until the New Year rolls around.
Describing January as the period when these unlucky-in-love duos will likely 'need to sit down and chat about their relationship', she adds that a 'break up will be pending as they wish to start the year fresh'.
You heard it here first, folks!
Get in touch with Tina at www.tinawilson.co/contact or check out the Wingman App - a free dating app that lets your friends play matchmaker.
Topics: Sex and Relationships, Christmas
Rhianna Benson