Mistletoe or me-time: Does being single affect the Christmas spirit?

Key takeaways:

• Some 73% of single people experience loneliness during the festive season, with 28% often feeling isolated, compared to just 7% of those in relationships.
• Christmas spending tends to weigh more heavily on couples, with 51% reporting financial stress, compared to 23% of singles.
• Regardless of relationship status, navigating family dynamics is a common holiday struggle. Some 48% of singles and 57% of couples face unsolicited advice from family members.
• Given the stress that comes with Christmas, 56% of singles and 44% of couples admit they can’t wait for the holidays to be over.

Ah, Christmas… a time for tinsel, turkey, and togetherness. But what happens when you’re navigating the holiday season solo? From loneliness to envy, the festive season can cause all sorts of emotions for singletons—and couples too.

Flirtini’s holiday season survey statistics show that regardless of relationship status, Christmas isn’t all joy and celebration. In fact, with Santa set to deliver money worries, social fatigue, and family members who don’t know when to keep quiet, many are already counting down the days to January.

Single bells, single bells: The struggles of being single at Christmas

Forget what the Hallmark movies say. You don’t have to be madly in love to have a magical Christmas!

Whether hanging out with family (69%), catching up with friends (9%), or spending it with a date (5%), most singles have no problem finding good company for the holidays. However, single life often comes with a little more 'me time’—12% say they spend Christmas solo, compared to just 1% of those in relationships.

Even for those who enjoy their independence most of the year, depression during the holidays isn’t uncommon. Holiday loneliness statistics show that 73% of single people experience feelings of sadness and isolation during the festive season, with 28% admitting they often feel lonely, compared to just 7% of those in relationships.

But don’t let the winter blues get you down. Who knows… maybe Santa will leave your perfect partner under the tree this year.

Why are singles more prone to holiday season depression? Because many Christmas traditions seem to be made for couples, from gift exchanges to the classic mistletoe kiss.

Offering constant reminders of their relationship status, 55% of singles admit they feel envious of couples during Christmas, compared to 36% of those in relationships.

Tinsel and turmoil: Unwrapping the festive period’s biggest stressors

It isn’t all doom and gloom for single people. Compared to those in relationships, they often feel less financial pressure around the holidays.

Flirtini’s holiday stress survey results show that while 51% of people in relationships suffer financial stress at Christmas, only 23% of singles worry about balancing the costs of gifts and events. And while juggling money, plans, and family can sometimes test anyone’s Christmas spirit, 24% of single people say the holidays aren’t stressful at all—compared to just 9% of couples.

If money’s tight, being single might just be an unexpected gift. Christmas spending takes a greater toll on those in relationships, leaving 73% feeling financially drained, compared to 53% of singles. Without the pressure of buying presents for their significant other, singles find it easier to keep their holiday spending in check—and start the new year with a little more left in the bank.

Money isn’t the only holiday challenge—there’s also the steady stream of family ‘advice’ to handle. Regardless of relationship status, dodging unsolicited opinions is practically a holiday tradition. Some 48% of singles and 57% of those in relationships report getting a dose of unwanted advice from family members over the Christmas break.

Whether it’s questions about when you’re going to settle down, get married, or have a baby, there’s no dodging those family members who can’t keep their unwanted opinions to themselves.

Managing Christmas expectations: Is it really the happiest time of year?

It’s almost impossible not to get swept up in the Christmas spirit. Despite the stresses and struggles, 78% of singles and couples look forward to the holiday season.

However, while most count down the days, 22% aren’t exactly feeling it. Between the financial pressures, family stress, and expectations of the season, it’s enough to make anyone channel their inner Grinch.

Methodology: This research was conducted by Flirtini using internal polling methods. Flirtini researchers and experts surveyed 1,000 singles and 1,000 people in relationships. The study includes participants of all genders and ethnicities, aged 18 and older.