SEX FILES: Are you being 'snowglobed' this holiday season

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The air has chilled, and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” can be heard approximately 37 times an hour. It’s safe to say that we are in the throes of the holiday season — and just in time for the yuletide, there’s a new disturbing dating term to add to our romantic lexicon: Snowglobing.

Initially coined by Cosmopolitan magazine, “snowglobing” refers to what happens when you quickly fall into a relationship around the holidays only to have it fizzle once the last strands of tinsel have been vacuumed up.

If this has happened to you, it’s not entirely your fault. “Marketing and advertising play a significant role in driving this trend,” says Julia Lovanov, Chief Editor at Verpex. “I’ve seen many companies use the “lonely-on-Christmas” narrative to promote their products, making people feel they need someone special to share the holiday with,” she says. These campaigns often feature stories of people reuniting with loved ones and finding love during the holidays (or, in the case of Hallmark movies, falling in love with a sexy, bearded snowman-turned-human who is also secretly Santa Claus’ hotter younger brother.)

Even if you mute the sappy commercials, turn off the carols, and refuse to watch a single holiday movie, there’s still this cultural narrative of warmth and togetherness during this time of year that leaves us vulnerable. “This amplified emotional landscape can push people to seek companionship, even if their intentions aren’t fully grounded. The desire to share in the season’s magic can lead to exaggerated gestures or rushed relationships that feel magical at the moment but lack a solid foundation,” says Kayden Roberts, CMO & relationship coach at CamGo.

So, how do you know if you’re being snowglobed or if your new relationship is the real deal? Roberts encourages people to watch for grand romantic gestures that seem too big, too soon, and be mindful if the person they’re dating seems to avoid deeper, future-focused conversations. She says, “If their efforts feel more about appearances — like creating Instagram-worthy moments — than genuine connection, it’s worth being cautious.”

Another reason to pump the brakes: The relationship is moving at lightning speed. “The person might want to spend a lot of time together fairly quickly, invite you to family holiday gatherings, and so on,” says Shenella Karunaratne, Licensed Professional Counselor, Online MFT Programs. However, Karunaratne notes, “I’ve found that hot and cold behaviour can also be a sign — someone who’s very into you one moment, and more detached and avoidant the next.”

Safeguarding yourself from snowglobing comes down to trusting your intuition and communicating openly with the person you’re dating. If you’re concerned you might be getting snowglobed, take a moment to reflect. Do their actions align with their words? Is your connection based on shared values (outside of who makes the best peppermint latte in town)? If you need clarity, Roberts suggests, “Have a direct conversation about where the relationship is headed. If they dismiss your concerns or seem disinterested in long-term clarity, it’s okay to let go and prioritize your emotional well-being.”

Like a snow globe, just-for-the-holidays relationships are fragile. If a long-term relationship is what you want, remember that you get to set the pace. “If you don’t yet feel comfortable, say, holding hands in public or meeting their family or having sex or whatever it is, say so,” says Suzannah Weiss, resident sexologist for Biird and author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject. This creates space for the relationship to develop naturally – and if the person you’re dating has an issue with you taking things slow, that tells you everything you need to know about them.

Lastly, make peace with the possibility of being single over the holidays. “Realize that getting into a relationship in December is no better than, say, February,” says Weiss. Staying single and waiting for the right person to come into your life ensures there will be space when they arrive. While the allure of a whirlwind Hallmark-worthy romance may seem appealing, remember that holiday movies – like snowglobe relationships – have a short lifespan. As Weiss reminds us, “It is better to wait for something that will actually work and last than to jump into something that may end soon, leaving you to start all over again.”