There is some sort of unspoken social understanding that fall and winter are the settling down seasons. This is the time when people realize that they don't have a boyfriend/girlfriend for the holiday seasons to cuddle with, buy Christmas presents for and spend quality time with, but why do we not realize this year round or at least start the looking process a little bit earlier? Maybe it's the hot chocolate getting to our heads or the Christmas spirit that is influencing people's behaviors which make them more willing to commit to another individual. If someone isn't willing to settle down the rest of the year, why should a three month period be any different than the other nine months out of the year? This is something that I've always asked myself, so in order to understand just why young adults in particularly are much more willing to enter into a committed relationship during the months of November to January, I did a little bit of research just to find out why.
1. You have someone to bring home for the holidays.
Especially if you are in your twenties, you get the constant reminder that either your ovaries are shriveling up and you need to get married and have children soon or that you haven't yet been in a committed relationship so obviously your priorities are not straight. If you are in a relationship, your relatives are a lot less likely to bother you about always being "the single one".
2. You have someone to deal with your family with you.
In addition to the first point, if you bring someone home with you, your family may be a little bit less likely to be as dysfunctional or embarrassing, but then again it could be more of a reason to pull out the naked baby pictures.
3. You have someone to do fun winter activities with.
Instead of going iceskating or to the movies with your great aunt or grandparents, you can go with your bae, instead. Also, it will make for a lot of really cute pictures and likes on Instagram. Why not settle down, just so that you can get some cute pictures on your thread?
4. You can share goodies.
Now, you have someone to share cookies and candy canes with instead of eating them al yourself. You won't feel as guilty if you split six cookies in half instead of eating them all yourself.
5. It's cuddling weather.
It's starting to get cold and you would love to have that extra body heat from someone laying down next to you and without a bae, it's just that much colder. A blanket just won't cut it this holiday season.
6. You have another person to buy you presents.
In addition to getting presents from Santa Clause, your friends and your family, you will now get presents from your boyfriend or girlfriend. This is another person that can spoil you and make you feel wanted.
All in all, it seems that there are a number of reasons to settle down during the holiday season, but after using a lot of brain power, I asked myself if people are in just a little bit of a rush to have someone to call their significant other. If the holiday seasons are a little bit lonely, just remember that you have your friends and family and your pile of presents that you can lay back into and feel comforted by.
