It’s official. Christmas is crazy online dating season. No sooner has the Christmas pudding been squeezed into already stuffed bellies along with a few glasses of port and several cheeses with names you’ve never even heard of, then singles are gettin’ merry and ready to mingle.
Most dating sites see a whopping 50 percent surge in memberships on Boxing day. Yup, you read that right, but why? Several reasons. Some just don’t want to spend Christmas alone explaining to Auntie Susan why they are STILL single. Then Christmas is the love season where we share, we hug, we feel warm inside and weep at romantic movies. Some reassess their lives with New Year around the corner and then the holidays give us more time to get serious about dating.
And don’t be looking like you’re not conviced- online dating works! One in every five new relationships and one in six marriages starts online and did we mention that according to University of Chicago, marriages that stem from online dating are 25% more likely to last than marriages that begin in more traditional ways. Stuff that in ya turkey! Impressive, huh? OK, you with us then? Here’s how to make your online profile stand out from the rest, let’s do this together…
Do: Write about the real you: It’s important that your profile will create a fully rounded positive picture of you – including what you do, what you like, what your favourite weekend activity is, and what kind of person you are. But keep in mind singles are trawling over hundreds of profiles like they were in supermarket aisles on Christmas eve having realised their cupboards were bare. Keep it short, sweet and concise. Sound fun, down to earth, human and honest eg: “I’ve never tried online dating before but here goes…’ See? You’d date us, right?
Don’t: Talk about the X Factor: Do not mention an ex on your dating profile even if they broke your heart. We know, he was damn awful and we what he did was unforgivable but talking ex’s is an instant red flag to other singles and smacks of you so not being over them yet so they’ll quickly skip to another profile…
Do: Leave room for a partner: In our bid to impress potential mates we can get carried away when we list interests and hobbies. Cycling/yoga, dance classes, loves to party, charity work, volunteering at soup kitchens, Rugby club, book club…all great but pepper your narrative with the highlights and make them feel there is still room in your life for them. Are you sure?
Don’t: Discuss politics or strong religious beliefs – Just don’t.
Do: Upload a photo: OK. Photos are a huge deal when attracting potentials partners and this isn’t a game of Guess Who. Don’t be shy, you have to have pop one up or you won’t get a look in because if you don’t, single will presume you’re hiding something…sinister. Gather your mates. They will help you.
Don’t brag: Charity work is fine, that you slept with Spencer Matthews is not. Don’t name drop flash holiday resorts, fast cars, designer clobber or admit that you want to be just like Kim Kardashian. You do? Moving on…
Don’t: Pose or mislead: Oooh we did all look better when we were 20, right but no using photos more than 5 years old, and no photo-shopping in a bid to turn back time and wrinkles. The shock and disappointment a date will show when they meet you in the flesh will be clear. Avoid dim lighting but also avoid red-eye and a flash that leaves you looking like a reindeer caught in headlights. Get your mates to take a few shots and help pick their favourite. Avoid ‘two xmas pudds’ on a plate cleavage, pouting, duck faces and guys, no naked torso shots or gangsta finger-gun poses, please. Go for natural not forced smiles and let your eyes do the talking….
There. We think you’re ready. You can do this. Good luck and keep us posted!
Image: The Holiday – Kate Winslet.
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