• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Experts warn over 'winter-coating' dating trend taking over Gen Z and Millennials this Christmas

Home> Life> Sex & Relationships

Published 16:19 17 Dec 2024 GMT

Experts warn over 'winter-coating' dating trend taking over Gen Z and Millennials this Christmas

Yep, there's another phrase we need to add to our ever-growing dating dictionary

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images

Topics: Advice, Dating, Gen Z, Life, Sex and Relationships, Dating trends

Rhiannon Ingle
Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Senior Journalist at Tyla, specialising in TV, film, travel, and culture. A graduate of the University of Manchester with a degree in English Literature, she honed her editorial skills as the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the UK’s largest student newspaper. With a keen eye for storytelling, Rhiannon brings fresh perspectives to her writing, blending critical insight with an engaging style. Her work captures the intersection of entertainment and real-world experiences.

Advert

Advert

Advert

A warning has been issued by experts about the 'winter-coating' dating trend taking over Gen Z and Millennials this Christmas that you really don't want to fall victim to.

Alright guys, we already know all about 'cuffing season', 'snowmanning' and 'tinselling' but there's another festive-themed dating trend you're going to want to stay well clear of in the run-up to the big day.

But, before we get into all the dangers surrounding 'winter-coating' - let's discuss what on earth it actually means first and foremost.

You seriously don't want to get 'winter-coated' this festive season (Janina Steinmetz / Getty Images)
You seriously don't want to get 'winter-coated' this festive season (Janina Steinmetz / Getty Images)

What is 'winter-coating'?

Terri DiMatteo, a licensed professional couples counsellor, explains that winter-coating is a incredibly seasonally-specific phenomenon in which a former flame reaches out to reconnect for a single season - the cold wintery months - only to exit your life once again when the weather warms up once again.

Advert

Sort of like when you get your winter coat out of seasonal storage, only to pop it back up a few weeks later when the snow melts and the flowers of spring bloom.

Cosy season could see former flames pop back into your life (Flashpop / Getty Images)
Cosy season could see former flames pop back into your life (Flashpop / Getty Images)

Why does 'winter-coating' happen?

Explaining the trend some more, Thalia Ouimet, a matchmaker and dating coach, told TODAY.com: "During winter I've noticed that people tend to come out of the woodwork because of loneliness and the holidays are right around the corner.

Advert

"Families tend to ask a lot of questions like 'Do you have a boyfriend' or 'Do you have a girlfriend', so people tend to get really stressed about not having a partner and will reach out to an ex-flame to try to rekindle things before the holidays."

According to Parade.com, there's also a sense of familiarity with 'winter-coating' - given that they are already familiar with you, your family and your financial situation, so there's no stress on their part.

Could an 'ex-flame' try to rekindle things with you before the holiday? (fotostorm / Getty Images)
Could an 'ex-flame' try to rekindle things with you before the holiday? (fotostorm / Getty Images)

What are the warning signs of 'winter-coating'?

Luckily for any singletons out there, there are some warning signs to bear in mind.

Advert

According to Thalia, it's a pretty major red flag if your festive fling has previously 'ghosted' you in the past.

"If someone from your past reaches out to you and they typically have 'ghosted' you before, like they would never check in on you and it's out of nowhere I would make sure you are alert of what their intentions are," she says.

The experts also warn against anyone who only shows up when the weather chills up.

Terri says: "Are they talking about the loneliness of the holidays? The extra expenses? Or that they find the winter months depressing.

Advert

"There may be clues that they are reaching out for reasons other than genuinely wanting to reconnect with you."

While it can temporarily fill a hole, Terri warns that 'winter-coating' is someone taking advantage of your 'openness and receptivity', therefore it's better to not jump in too quickly - or else, face starting your New Year with a breakup.

Well, the more you know - eh?

Choose your content:

16 hours ago
21 hours ago
22 hours ago
3 days ago
  • 16 hours ago

    Dental doctor warns about severe 'Ozempic teeth' side effect linked to weight loss jabs

    It may be time to wash out your water bottles and get re-hydrated

    Life
  • 21 hours ago

    Adult pacifier user slams anyone using them for ‘inappropriate’ reason

    Fans of the method say it can help with ADHD and autism but there are risks

    Life
  • 22 hours ago

    TikTok star Nara Smith reveals her husband doesn’t let her drive and people have praised him

    Nara Smith and her husband shared some of the 'unspoken' rules of their marriage

    Life
  • 3 days ago

    Labia surgery warning after weight loss drug side-effect leads to surge

    Dr Shazia Malik - a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist for The Portland Hospital - discussed the pros and cons of 'labia puffing'

    Life
  • Women warned over getting 'zombied' as worrying dating trend takes over Gen Z
  • ‘Simmer’ dating is the latest Gen Z trend that you might want to try
  • Truth behind New Year’s Eve ‘grape theory’ trend taking over Gen Z
  • 'Concerned’ millennials feel old after Gen Z officially cancel popular fashion trend