Cuffing season is the stretch of cold months, roughly October through March, when singles feel more pull toward relationships. The idea is to cuff, or lock yourself to, someone for the winter, whether that means a serious relationship, a casual romance or just company on long, chilly nights. According to PEOPLE, the phrase took off in the early 2010s, and it spread through Black social media and slang before going fully mainstream.

The season tends to hit its stride around Thanksgiving, when the holidays arrive and the nights feel longest. By January, some couples are officially cuffed, while others are wondering whether a holiday fling could turn into something real.

Everyone talks about the feelings. The receipts tell a more surprising story.

Is cuffing season real?

Sort of. There isn’t hard scientific data on it, but dating companies have tried to measure it. In a Coffee Meets Bagel survey, 46% of members said they think more about dating in winter, and 41% said they use dating apps more. In a YouGov survey, about one in five singles said they’d date someone in winter just to avoid being lonely.

The pop culture proof is everywhere too. SZA turned the phrase into a hit with her song Big Boys, which she performed in a Saturday Night Live sketch that put cuffing season front and center.

When does cuffing season actually start?

Earlier than you might think. In 2025, DoorDash saw a spike in delivery addresses labeled bae or ‘bf/gf during the week of Sept. 1, ahead of the usual October start. Orders for sheets, pillowcases and blankets jumped nearly 80% during the season. In a DoorDash survey, 68% of people said they’d been turned off after seeing someone’s home, with clutter and poor hygiene topping the list. Freshen up the bedding before you invite anyone over.

Are you in love or just cold?

That’s the question to ask before you start swiping. Shorter days and less sunlight affect mood, and for some people, seasonal affective disorder can make a partner seem like the cure for something that’s really about comfort and light.

Psychologist Dr. Susan Albers told the Cleveland Clinic that the urge to couple up fast can lead people to lower their standards and settle for someone convenient instead of someone who truly fits them. She advises thinking back on what worked and what didn’t in past relationships, and letting that guide what you look for now.

How do you keep a winter romance from moving too fast?

Be honest early about what you want, whether it’s a winter fling or someone who’ll still be around in the spring. Some daters are trying quiet dating, which means making room for romance without letting it take over your life.

Cold weather and long nights indoors can create closeness almost overnight, so don’t let the cozy setting do all the work. Talk about values, goals and expectations. Mix in daytime walks, coffee dates and new restaurants, because seeing someone outside a blanket fort tells you a lot more about whether you’re compatible.

What if you don’t want to be cuffed?

You’re in good company. In a Bumble survey, 49% of U.S. respondents said they don’t participate in cuffing season and called the idea outdated.

Being single in winter isn’t a problem to solve. Mute the couple content if it gets to you, reconnect with friends, plan a group dinner or start a new holiday tradition with family. Connection comes in many forms, including time spent getting to know yourself.

What is the biggest day of cuffing season?

Here’s the twist. It isn’t Valentine’s Day or New Year’s Eve. Tinder says its busiest day of the year falls on what the industry calls Dating Sunday, the first Sunday of January. This coming year, that’s Jan. 3, 2027.

That’s the moment the holidays end, the family questions stop and the loneliness of the season catches up with people. So if cuffing season is about who keeps you warm through the cold, the real test comes after the decorations come down. Winter lasts a few months. Who you let into your life can last much longer.