Online Dating Magazine > Online Dating News > Singles and the Holidays

Single and Home for the Holidays?

(onlinedatingmagazine.com - December 9, 2003) There's no place like home for the holidays. That is, unless you're home alone.

First, there's the interrigation by your relatives over the Christmas dinner table:

"Who are you seeing these days?"

"When are you getting married?"

Then, comes Christmas office parties and other events, which all seem geared toward couples. In addition, virtually every song on the radio, seems to be overflowing with loving couples kissing under the mistletoe and unwrapping gifts.

It's no wonder that for the past seven years, Christmas has been one of the busiest sign-up periods of the year for Internet dating services.

But the holidays are also the best time of the year to make new friends and meet other singles.

Below are 10 suggestions from FriendFinder, one of the world's largest online dating networks with more than 11.9 million unique visitors monthly:

1. It's ok to admit that you want to meet someone. Over 65% of the members of FriendFinder network said that they would like to include a date or partner in their Christmas celebrations because it is a "great time to introduce them to family and friends," and 57% of members surveyed said that "having a date or relationship during Christmas is important."

2. Volunteer. It's a great way to meet warm-hearted, caring people -- the kind you want to be in a relationship with! Provide caregiving at a nursing home or hospital, by cooking in a homeless shelter, delivering meals to the elderly, or assisting a charity fundraising event.

3. Invite other singles for friendly, low-pressure events. Use an Internet dating website to invite other singles to see a play, for caroling, ice skating, to look at the lights, watch corny old movies. Host a slumber party for other single parents, or a holiday potluck or potato Lattke party for singles in your zip code.

4. Plan a change of scene. Take a short trip. Getting away from your immediate surroundings is a great mood elevator. Many FriendFinder users set up dates in cities they plan to visit, before they even leave.

5. Stay active. Force yourself to go to a social event or party at least two to three times a week during the holidays. An active social calendar makes you seem more desirable, too.

6. Invite single friends to participate in holiday preparations. Have them over when you decorate the Christmas tree, for shopping, wrapping gifts, to light the Hanukah candles or organize a cookie baking party.

7. Worship together. Reach out to other religious singles at religion-specific online matchmaking services like JewishFriendFinder and BigChurch.com and invite them to sit at services with you.

8. Find some meaning. Over 67% of individuals on FriendFinder say that "sharing the meaning of the holidays" is the most important reason to have a date or relationship over the holiday time.

9. Get in touch with yourself. Take stock of your assets. Just to be alive and healthy are two great blessings. Pamper yourself. Take advantage of the peace and quiet.

10. Be patient. Above all, don't rush into a relationship simply because of the season. Keep in mind that it is better to wait for the right person than to feel pressured to find a date by New Year's Eve.

> Perfectmatch.com - The best approach to find the one. <

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