It’s official—you’ve been cuffed! After dating your fair share of dreamboats and duds, you finally found someone worth keeping around. Congrats! But now that the holidays are here, you're asking yourself that age-old question:
Is it too early to introduce them to my family?

Before making any big moves, grab your favorite yellow legal pad (or Notes app) and let’s do a little soul-searching. Here’s a handy checklist of questions to help you decide if it’s time to bring your SO into the family fold—or wait it out.

👀 Know Your Audience

One of the realest fears about introducing a significant other to your family is the unpredictable dinner table conversation. Your sweet new boo could find themselves smack in the middle of a heated debate about health care policy—and there’s no escape. Your abuelita might say something wildly inappropriate two seconds into dinner. Someone will ask when you’re getting married. Someone else will ask if you're pregnant. It's chaos.

So here’s the test:
Can your SO handle your family’s brand of crazy?

Pay attention to how they respond to awkward or tense situations in day-to-day life. Give them a heads-up about your family’s quirks and political landmines. If they take it in stride and you see them unbothered by the chaos?
You’ve got a good one.

I’ve been there. I once dated a guy with cowboy boots and a gold grill. That’s not a joke—that’s real life. I hid him from my friends and family because I knew there would be backlash. And I was right.

Which brings me to the next point...

🧭 Define the Relationship

Cuffing season is cute, but it’s not always long-term. If you’re dating someone to stay warm this winter, but already planning your Valentine’s Day exit strategy, please don’t introduce them to your family. That’s just messy.

Bringing a temporary fling to a holiday party sends mixed messages—to them and to your family. It sets up false hope and unnecessary drama.

On the other hand, if this person feels like someone you want around after February... by all means, bring them into your world. Your family is probably dying to meet the person who makes you light up when you talk about them.

⏰ Is It the Right Time?

Maybe it’s been a few weeks. Maybe it’s been a few months.
Spoiler: Length doesn’t matter. (Not here, anyway.)

It’s about how you feel.

A wise friend once told me, “When you know, you know.”
It sounds cheesy, but it’s true. When it’s right, it feels different than anything before.

The holidays are one of the most social times of the year. You probably see your family more now than any other time. So if you’re itching to show off your relationship—but you’re unsure—take a step back and run through these questions:

Are you proud to be with this person?
Can they roll with your family dynamic?
Are you in it for the long haul?

If you’re nodding “yes,” then prep your partner for a crash course in family traditions and awkward questions. Because ready or not... it’s time to meet the crew.

For the past few weeks, I've been dropping the phrase cuffing season on social media and in conversation. Most of you gave me a puzzled look—and that’s okay! It’s a fairly new term for something that’s been happening forever. I first heard it a few years ago, right around the time I got engaged to The Comedian. I used to think it only applied to engagements, but I was wrong. It’s deeper than that.

Cuffing season is what this cozy, chilly time of year does to people emotionally. Between November and February, studies show that men are 15% more likely to get into a relationship. That’s right—the cold has a way of heating up the dating scene.

🧣 What is Cuffing Season?

I’m still not sure why the word cuff stuck—personally, I vote for Cuddling Season. But alas, here we are. According to psychologist and matchmaking CEO Sameera Sullivan:

“Cuffing season is that period of time between fall and the dead of winter when people start looking for someone they can spend those long, frigid months with.”

Sounds about right. It’s less about lifelong romance and more about someone to share hot cocoa and Netflix with. And, let’s be real—also about avoiding awkward questions from your grandmother who still wants to know when you’re getting married. (Now that I'm married, she's asking when we’re having kids. I just sip my wine and walk away.)

Let’s face it—being alone during the holidays can be tough. Everyone else seems to have a plus-one for Christmas parties and a midnight kiss on New Year’s Eve. Wanting a temporary companion? Totally understandable.

🚩 Beware of Serial Cuffers

Before you go tossing out your granny panties, let’s talk red flags. Some men (and women) are serial cuffers—they grab a cozy companion for the season, then conveniently break up just before Valentine’s Day. Why? Well, February 14 implies commitment... and Spring Break is around the corner. Do the math.

Watch out for the types who say, “You’re different,” while keeping you at arm’s length. Ask about their dating history and patterns. Don’t be afraid to clarify your intentions early on.

On the bright side, cuffing season may also signal the slow death of hookup culture. There’s something refreshing about the return of actual time spent together, beyond Tinder swipes. Hot cocoa, fireplaces, fuzzy socks? Sign me up.

💡 How Do I Get Cuffed?

If you’re tired of casual dating, cuffing season is the perfect time to shift gears.

Start with your mindset. Picture yourself in a relationship. Act like you’re already in one (yes, even when no one’s around). Set the tone—and the universe has a funny way of catching on.

Next: know what you want. What are your non-negotiables? Print out my Dating Terms worksheet and narrow down the top 5 qualities you must have in a partner.

Once you’ve got that clarity, put yourself out there—on purpose. Join a dating site with serious candidates (I may be biased, but Match.com is my favorite—it’s how I met The Comedian). Or simply get out of the house and reconnect with real people in real places. Love isn’t always digital.

💌 Need Help Navigating Cuffing Season?

If you need a little nudge—or a full-on matchmaking fairy godmother—I’m here. Drop me a line. I’ll help you get clear, get cuffed (the good kind), and get what you’re really looking for.

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Is it Too Early to Bring My SO to Meet My Family?