As the dark, Winter nights roll in, real-life dating app happn are warning of a new trend that could see single people deliberately ‘dragged along’ over the colder months. Dubbed ‘sledging’, the trend sees Gen Zers deliberately drawing out dates with people they’re not as interested in, or choosing to delay a breakup for months, to avoid being alone over the festive period.

New research by happn found that over one in ten (15%) of single 18-25 year olds have kept dating the same person over the festive period, even though they didn’t really like them, with the intention to break things off after the season.

This isn’t just for casual dates – even when they’ve been in a relationship, a further 15% of Gen Z have wanted to break up with their partner for a while, but waited to do it until after Christmas and New Year. Three quarters of these people (75%) made the decision to split in November, but delayed it until after the New Year to avoid being alone. Worryingly, a quarter (25%) have even decided to break up as early as August but then ‘sledged’ their partner for months during the Winter.

The reasons why Gen Z are dragging out their dates and relationships over the Christmas season is:
To have someone to have sex with (60%)
To have someone to cuddle with when it’s cold (50%)
To avoid feeling lonely in this magical time of year (40%)
To avoid answering questions about being single (30%)
To have someone to bring to Christmas and New Year’s parties (20%)

‘Sledging’ isn’t just applicable for going on dates with the same person. Three quarters (74%) say they actively go on more first dates this time of year than any other time. This is mostly in the hopes to:
Have a Winter relationship (28%)
Have a one night stand (21%)
To not be alone (16%)

And 7% of young singles actively go on multiple dates with lots of different Crushes so they’ve always got company during this time.

Commenting on the Sledging trend, Claire Rénier, dating expert at happn, said, Gen Z should look out for signs that they’re being ‘sledged’ to avoid their partner staying with them just through the Winter, with intention to break up soon after. This can be toxic and a red flag. People shouldn’t be treated this way in what should be a loving and trusting relationship. It plays with people’s emotions and fosters short-term satisfaction. Instead, young people should find more authentic connections with people with shared locations and Hobbies. This way they can find partners that are genuinely interested in them and sustain a relationship to last beyond just the Winter!”

The ‘Sledging’ trend is set to be prominent this Winter, with a quarter (26%) of 18-25 year olds planning to actively go on more dates this festive period, and a tenth (9%) will keep seeing someone they don’t really like with the intention to break up when the weather is warmer in 2025.