Humans can mate whenever they please. We’re not restricted to a specific mating season, unlike many other species. However, there are some seasonal variations in our sexual behaviour. Research shows that sex reliably increases at two specific times of year. First, there is a sustained rise across the summer months, followed by another peak around the winter holidays.
In a previous blog, we covered the rise in summer horniness, which has a lot to do with sunlight exposure stimulating testosterone production, active lifestyles that primes us for arousal, and being surrounded by skimpy outfits that cue desire. However, none of these things are going on in the dead of winter, so what explains why people get hot and bothered around the holidays? In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the data supporting the idea that sexual behaviour increases around Christmas and New Year’s, as well as some of the theories behind this.
Sex Rises Toward the End of the Year
There’s a surprising amount of evidence pointing to a peak in sexual activity at the end of each year. For example, we see this in people’s Google searches, where there’s a notable increase in searches related to sex, porn, and online dating. We also see it in people’s purchasing patterns, with a reliable increase in condom sales around the holidays. But that’s not all. Public health data show that more babies are conceived in December than any other month and, further, that more STDs are contracted in December as well. This is also the month when people are most likely to show up in the emergency room with sex-related injuries. Ouch.
There’s even data showing that this is the time of year when people are most likely to lose their virginity or have their “sexual debut.” As you can see, across a ton of different metrics, it’s clear that there’s something about the winter holidays that seems to be getting people in the mood, so let’s consider some possible reasons for this.
Hip-Hip Hooray for Christmas Vacation
One reason people have more sex around the holidays is simply because most of us have some time off from work or school. Vacations are a popular time to have sex in general because they provide us with a fair amount of leisure time during which we are able to relax and destress. This not only creates more opportunities for us to have sex, but it also increases the chances that we’re going to be in the mood because we don’t have as much stress tamping down our libido. Plus, this is a time of year when there are a lot parties going on, with a fair amount of drinking and merry-making. We know that alcohol can lower inhibitions and serve as an aphrodisiac of sorts, so that’s probably playing a bit of a role here.
In addition, people often travel to their hometowns around the holidays, where they sometimes run into old crushes and exes, which creates opportunities to rekindle former flames.
It’s Peak “Cuffing Season”
Another reason for the rise in sexual activity around the holidays has to do with the fact that they’re smack dab in the middle of “cuffing season,” which refers to our longstanding tendency to couple-up in the winter.
Around the holidays, cuffing season reaches its peak and dating apps become an online feeding frenzy. One reason for this is that people often feel more pressure to be in a relationship at this time of year. Between your parents repeatedly asking you when you’re going to settle down and get married and all of the parties and events where people are often expected to show up with a date, it’s easy to feel anxious about being single—and to want to do something about it.
Another reason is that when the days get short and we get less sun exposure, this changes the brain. We release less of the feel-good chemical serotonin, which can make us feel the “winter blues.” It is thought that some of us try to compensate for this by seeking out sexual and romantic connections.
There’s Love in the Air
Lastly, people may also engage in more sex around the holidays because there’s a just a constant tinge of love in the air at this time of year. For many people, there’s something inherently romantic about freshly fallen snow, Christmas lights, and the warmth of a cozy fire.
However, we’re also surrounded by symbols and traditions that remind us that we should be smooching, from the mistletoe hanging over the door to the obligatory midnight kisses on New Year’s. Plus, romantic holiday movies are playing non-stop on television. Ratings data reveal that 80 million Americans watch at least part of a Hallmark movie each holiday season, and many of these films reinforce the idea that this is a time of year when people are just primed to fall in love.
Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the romantic holiday songs playing on an endless loop that serve as further reminders of both love (“All I Want For Christmas Is You”) and sex (“Santa Baby”).
Takeaways
The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is one of the most popular times of year for sex, and it’s no surprise why. Vacations, parties, booze, romantic symbolism, and cuffing season are a potent combination that, together, may not only make us more desirous, but also afford us more opportunities than we otherwise have. So if you find yourself feeling hornier than usual this holiday season, you’re in good company.
References
Seasonal changes in sexual activity levels: Cornelisse, V. J., Chow, E. P., Chen, M. Y., Bradshaw, C. S., & Fairley, C. K. (2016). Summer heat: A cross-sectional analysis of seasonal differences in sexual behaviour and sexually transmissible diseases in Melbourne, Australia. Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Seasonal changes in Google search trends for pornography, prostitution, and online dating: Markey, P. M., & Markey, C. N. (2013). Seasonal variation in internet keyword searches: A proxy assessment of sex mating behaviors. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 42(4), 515-521.
Seasonal changes in condom sales and STD rates: Wellings, K., Macdowall, W., Catchpole, M., & Goodrich, J. (1999). Seasonal variations in sexual activity and their implications for sexual health promotion. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 92, 60-64.
Seasonal changes in conception rates: Tita, A. T., Hollier, L. M., & Waller, D. K. (2001). Seasonality in conception of births and influence on late initiation of prenatal care. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 97(6), 976-981.
Seasonal changes in sexual injuries: Phillips, E. A., Esposito, A. J., & Munarriz, R. (2015). Acute penile trauma and associated morbidity: 9‐year experience at a tertiary care center. Andrology, 3(3), 632-636.
Seasonal changes in virginity loss: Levin, M. L., Xu, X., & Bartkowski, J. P. (2002). Seasonality of sexual debut. Journal of Marriage and Family, 64(4), 871-884.