All about 'tinselling,' the holiday dating trend
The Christmas season is all about getting loved and pampered. Yet, a new dating trend called "tinselling" suggests that this affection might not always be authentic. Coined by relationship expert Tina Wilson this trend sees couples concealing their genuine emotions and relationship struggles throughout the holidays. "The name draws inspiration from the shiny, cheerful veneer of tinsel, which is used to decorate during the festive season, covering what is beneath," Wilson told Tyla.
What is tinselling?
By tinselling a relationship, you can temporarily put off awkward talks with friends and family until a better time, usually in January, which is a month known for new beginnings. Wilson, who is also the founder of the free dating app Wingman, referred to this period as a "conscious choice" by couples to delay addressing their problems until the New Year.
The facade of harmony and togetherness
During this period, partners often opt to present a united front of happiness and unity among family and friends while ignoring unresolved issues in their relationship. For some couples, it is a temporary solution to get through the holidays until they feel ready to take appropriate action- which is typically the following year. Interestingly, this trend has become so common that lawyers have dubbed the month "divorce month" in the United States.
Warning signs and detrimental effects
The red flags of a tinselling relationship include an excessively happy partner engrossed in holiday cheer who consistently postpones serious conversations until Christmas or avoids them entirely. However, it is important to note that this practice of dodging issues doesn't lead to solutions but instead could result in greater harm than if you had dealt with the situation earlier. Experts say that reluctance to be honest with one another might lead to disputes that sour anger and erode mutual trust.
Addressing issues and seeking resolution
According to experts, the pressure of spending time with family and in-laws during the Christmas season frequently serves as the impetus for people to decide to dissolve their marriages. One way to address this is openly discussing your feelings with your partner instead of ignoring underlying issues. Furthermore, rather than spending money on lavish gifts, it might be better to chill and bring in the festive cheers together.
