Molly*, 28, is a graphic designer and lives in Dunfermline: All I want for Christmas is... a boyfriend. And party season is the perfect hunting ground. Forget dating apps at this time of year. Wasting hours scrolling through profiles, swiping left or right, interminable messages back and forth. Excitement building until an anticlimactic date with someone who’s great online... not so much in real life. And back to square one. Sigh.
Festive parties are the perfect opportunity to meet someone the old-fashioned way – in person (and cut out the digital middleman, which is often such a smokescreen). Everyone’s in a good mood, ‘well-refreshed’ and, with a new party frock on and the prospect of a break from work soon, I feel happy, confident and ready to flirt my way to a new relationship.
Also, at this time of year, when it’s freezing and miserable outside, and with Christmas and New Year just around the corner, there’s a palpable desire not to be alone. People have their ‘green light’ on, they want to be coupled up and that turns parties into speed-dating events disguised with tinsel. I don’t think I’m alone in feeling less content being single in winter. The rest of the year it doesn’t bother me. I’m happy if I’m with someone, I’m happy if I’m not. But when it’s cold and dark outside, I want someone to snuggle up to on the sofa, or lie in bed with for hours.
It was good, not mind- blowing, but I’m not into anything too outrageous.
And call me mercenary, but what’s wrong with wanting someone to buy me a Christmas present? I don’t care about expensive presents, I’m not a gold-digger, but it’s nice to know someone other than my mum thought about me and got me something they knew I’d like.
Speaking of family, being in a relationship at this time of year also means I can deflect the ‘still single, Molly?’ pity comments from relatives, able to smugly let them know that, actually, I’m with someone. Waking up with someone I care for beside me on the first day of a new year, after a snog under the mistletoe the night before, fills me with optimism for the year ahead.
I’ve been single for around seven months, and I’ve had plenty of fun with friends, a girls’ holiday in the summer and time for myself, but increasingly I want someone in my life. And now’s the ideal time to find them.
Last week, I met a guy in the bar of a club in town who was on his work night out. We’ve been on a date since then, and had sex that night at my flat. It was good, not mind- blowing, but I’m not into anything too outrageous or kinky so vanilla is fine for me. We definitely have chemistry and that’s enough.
With plans to meet up again this week, I’m looking forward to seeing him and quietly hopeful this is going to go somewhere. Only time will tell if this Christmas boyfriend turns into something more long-term. Who knows, but I hope he’ll still be around long after the decorations have come down.
*name has been changed
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