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Published 14:35 IST, December 20th 2023

‘Tinselling’ a new holiday dating trend taking over the internet

'Tinselling' is inspired by the glittery and festive appearance of tinsel, commonly used to adorn Christmas trees.

Reported by: Manasvi Asthana
All about the new Christmas dating trend. Representative image. | Image: Unsplash

From 'Masterdating' to 'fizzling,' various dating terms have emerged on social media this year. As Christmas approaches, a new addition to our love vocabulary is the term 'Tinselling.'

As reported by the New York Post, Tina Wilson, a relationship expert and the founder and CEO of Wingman, introduced the term to characterize how couples frequently attempt to conceal their genuine emotions during the holiday season.

She clarified that the term 'Tinselling' is inspired by the glittery and festive appearance of tinsel, commonly used to adorn Christmas trees. It specifically refers to the act of covering up any gaps or rough patches in the tree, mirroring the way couples conceal their issues during this time of the year.

"The name draws inspiration from the shiny, cheerful veneer of tinsel, which is used to decorate during the festive season, covering what is beneath,"  Ms Wilson explained according to the outlet.

"They choose to maintain a facade of harmony and togetherness. All while overlooking unresolved problems in the relationship," Ms Wilson added.

What is  'Tinselling'?

Ms Wilson clarified that the term 'Tinselling' is inspired by the glittery and festive appearance of tinsel, commonly used to adorn Christmas trees. It specifically refers to the act of covering up any gaps or rough patches in the tree, mirroring the way couples conceal their issues during this time of the year.

The dating expert also cautioned individuals about the potential harm "tinselling" can inflict on their relationships. Ms. Wilson stated, "Warning signs of being in a tinselling relationship is noticing their partner being overly full of the Christmas spirit, presents and joy galore....  but if you want to talk about anything serious they will always say let's talk after Christmas or push it off."

In a separate interview with the outlet, Nicole Sodoma, a divorce attorney passionate about preserving marriages, concurred that avoidance does not lead to resolution in relationships.

She noted that this pattern has become so prevalent that January has earned the moniker "divorce month."

Other toxic dating trends

Furthermore, 'tinselling' is not the only dating trend making waves this year. The 'Penny method' has been identified as the most toxic trend of the year, and 'Ground Hogging' tops the list as the dating trend to avoid.

Updated 14:35 IST, December 20th 2023

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