Since I write about relationships so much, this is the time of the year when I am especially intentional when it comes to reading about which dating trends are predicted to be hella popular over the next several months. Well, according to some research that Hypebae did on the BLK dating app, collabor-dating (bonding over shared interests), slow dating (which is pretty self-explanatory) and something known as crewsing is what a lot of folks (especially those in the Gen Z demographic) are going to be interested in.
What exactly is crewsing? It’s a trend that involves singles not only using dating apps for romantic connections but also for finding people to go to Sunday brunch or upcoming music festivals with. Learning about that is what got me to thinking about something that is coming up out in these internet streets: Dating Sunday.
Dating Sunday: Why It’s a Big Deal for Singles in 2025
If 2025 is the year that you’ve declared to yourself (and your homies) that you are going to find the love of your life, one way or another, Dating Sunday is something that you definitely should know about and consider — just so that you can keep as many options open as possible.
Let me explain why.
What Is Dating Sunday?
GiphyAlthough I do pride myself on knowing a lot about relationship-related stuff, I must admit that I was a late bloomer as it relates to Dating Sunday. I think it’s because I can honestly say that I have never used a dating app, for any reason, before.
It’s not that I’m against them, it’s just that — remember, I’m someone who doesn’t even have social media accounts, so…I just prefer more organic approaches to meeting people. That doesn’t mean that I knock dating online, though, because I actually know individuals who have used dating apps to meet their bae; plus, I’m aware of what statistics say about dating via cyberspace connections.
Okay, but I’m getting a little ahead of myself.
As far as what Dating Sunday is all about, it is what’s considered to be the busiest day of the year, as far as online dating goes, and it just so happens to go down on the first Sunday of the year — each and every year. This means that, in the year of our Lord, 2025, Dating Sunday will transpire on January 5. Interestingly enough, there is even a time on Dating Sunday when it seems that singles are the most active on apps.
When will it be this year? Approximately at 9:05 p.m. (EST), there will be a 40 percent uptick on various dating apps, including Match and Tinder (although if you would prefer to get on apps that cater especially to our demographic, there are ones like BLK, BlackPeopleMeet, BlackGentry, BlackCupid. Also, some dating experts say that Coffee Meets Bagel, OkCupid, Bumble, and sometimes Hinge have some good options for Black women. Oh, and First Round on Me is somewhat gaining in popularity, too — just an FYI).
And what if you are interested in meeting someone new, but you’re a bit hesitant or even leery about doing it online? Although it appears that Gen Z is using dating apps less than perhaps any other demographic, that doesn’t mean that dating online is obsolete.
Read on to see what I mean…
15 Things You Should Know About Online Dating (Stats-Wise)
GiphyIn a world that’s full of opinions, both online, as well as offline, when it comes to making decisions that are personally best for you, it’s always a good idea to factor in some cold hard facts — and when it comes to dating apps and online dating, here are 15 statistics to keep in mind:
- Currently, the most popular dating apps are Tinder and Bumble
- Tinder has led to 25 percent of married or engaged couples who met online
- People ages 18-29 prefer Tinder, while those 30-64 prefer Match
- 31 percent of Black people, 28 percent of Hispanic individuals, and 29 percent of white folks have used dating apps before
- 56 percent of adults who use dating apps find them to be pretty safe
- 53 percent of adults who use dating apps say that the experience was positive
- 54 percent of women are overwhelmed by the messages that they receive on dating apps
- 42 percent of adults say that using dating apps has made finding a partner easier/more convenient
- 39 percent of dating app users make a relatively high income
- 54 percent of folks say that online dating relationships were just as successful as “in-person” ones
- One in 10 serious relationships met online
- 29 percent of dating app users find matches pretty quickly
- 26 percent of online daters aren’t looking for anything serious
- 19 percent of online daters are talking to 11 or more people at the same time
- It could take almost 4,000 swipes before you meet “your one” online
As you can see, as with most things in life, dating online is a bit of a mixed bag. Still, the actual research and data do reveal that so long as you keep your expectations realistic, it could prove to be at least somewhat of a wise investment of your time — so long as you keep the following pros and cons in mind.
3 Pros and 3 Cons to Online Dating in 2025
GiphySo, what are the (generalized) ups and downs that come with using apps in order to date?
PRO:
There’s no way around the fact that dating online is super convenient. You can engage with people at your leisure, whenever and from wherever works best for you — which is great, not just for those who have a hectic schedule, but also for individuals who may consider themselves to be introverted or shy. When you think about it, this also gives you more control when it comes to your privacy and how fast or slow you want to move when it comes to dating (online) as well.
CON:
Hands down, the misrepresentation of folks is a huge con; I mean, there wouldn’t have been the MTV show Catfish if that weren’t the case. I don’t just mean folks who lie about their looks either; there is also a good amount of scamming that goes down in the online dating world as well. For instance, I semi-recently read that as many as 70,000 people were “romance scammed” out of somewhere around $1.3 billion back in 2022, with 40 percent being contacted on social media and close to 20 percent on websites or apps. So yeah, keeping in mind that not everyone has the best of intentions is a good rule of thumb.
PRO:
You’re definitely going to have more access to a variety of people via dating apps — although, when you come to think about it, that can have pros and cons because if it really does take (whew) 4,000 swipes to meet your (long-term) boo, the process to get to them could be pretty overwhelming. Still, if you’re someone who is growing weary of the dating scene in your area, online dating can expose you to a whole ‘new world of possibilities.
CON:
Again, if it can take you close to 4,000 swipes to find someone who you’re really into, that means the same thing for others, which means that while there can be a lot of potential with online dating, there can also be quite a bit of rejection. If that is something that you know that you don’t handle well, dating apps may not need to be the dating route that you should take at this time.
PRO:
Something else that I would consider to be a plus about online dating is you have more than one way to communicate with folks — you can stick to direct messages, you can text, you can talk on the phone, you can video chat, and you can do all of these things, for as long as you want, before deciding to meet someone in person. Not only that but if you are engaging multiple individuals at the same time, based on your comfort level, you can talk to each one in a different way (meaning, you can strictly text with one and video chat with another).
CON:
Since you are interacting with more people, unwanted attention very well could spike. In fact, reportedly, on dating apps, close to 40 percent of individuals have unwanted sexual messages and/or images, 30 percent have been contacted by someone after saying they weren’t interested in them, and 24 percent have been called an offensive name. Yet even dating in person comes with its own pros and cons list, so be willing to somewhat keep an open mind that for every jerk, there can also be a true gem.
How to Prepare for Dating Sunday
GiphyAnd what if, after weighing in all that I just shared, you decide to make 2025 the year that you participate in Dating Sunday? Well, to get the most out of the experience, keep the following tips in mind:
Vet the apps beforehand. There are a lot of dating apps out here, and absolutely one size does not fit all. And so, spend some time researching, not just what are considered to be the best dating apps for each year but which ones are most suitable to your particular demographic, too. Luckily, online dating has been around for so long at this point that you can even find reviews on them via social media. For instance, if you go to TikTok and put “dating app reviews” (like these here, here, here, here, and here), you will get quite a bit of information from different opinions and perspectives to choose from.
Make sure your profile is on point. First impressions are always important — even more so when it comes to online dating. That said, please make sure that your pictures are clear and that you choose ones that showcase more than one side of your personality. Have a bio that is creative and enjoyable to read yet is also as detailed (in a concise way) as possible when it comes to who you are, your interests, and what you are looking for. And lawd, y’all, definitely check for grammar issues (like please use “your” and “you’re” accurately).
It’s also a good idea to go with a username that is easy to remember and reflects you well. Oh, and you should probably get someone you trust to read your finished product before going live — just to get an objective opinion.
Be honest. Stay realistic. Have fun. And finally, although it’s definitely going to work in your favor to go into online dating with a positive attitude, make sure that you are honest about your intentions, that you stay realistic about what to expect, and, more than anything else, that you don’t put a lot of pressure on yourself or the people who you connect with; instead, HAVE FUN! One way to make sure that all of this happens is to follow the advice of online dating experts who say that you can pretty much avoid dating app burnout by spending no more than 30 minutes a day on them.
That way, you can keep a fresh set of eyes on the profiles you are checking out, you can keep the content from overwhelming you, and if it takes a while to make a real connection because you’re only devoting a half-hour daily, you won’t feel like you are wasting a ton of your precious time.
___
I’ve already shared that 25 percent of folks on Tinder found their “forever” on the app. Reportedly, 35 percent on Hinge and 20 percent on Bumble have done the same. In comparison to the 15 percent of couples who met each other through mutual friends…what do you have to lose?
As Helen Keller once said, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all,” chile. So, take a chance on Dating Sunday. At best, you’ll meet someone awesome. At worst, you’ll have some entertaining stories to tell. Promise you that!
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Anyway, I personally think that the less shallow folks out here may contemplate calling things “quits” or they at least distance themselves a bit from their partner (and what I’m referring to is serious relationships) due to all of the stress and strain that oftentimes comes with the holidays whether it be financial, familial, due to their tight schedules or something else.
Listen, I would hate for you and your man to miss the fun and happiness of experiencing this time of year, all because you are so overwhelmed or irritated that you can’t really enjoy it. That’s why I have a few practical tips for how to avoid allowing the typical holiday season stress from INFECTING your relationship.
Manage Your Expectations
GiphyUnmanaged expectations. If there is a main reason why the holiday season tends to be so stress-filled for so many people, I’d bet good money that this is the cause. And when you’re in a long-term relationship, expectations can manifest themselves in all sorts of cryptic and/or unexpected ways. You might have relatives who assume that you are going to be with them for Thanksgiving or Christmas when you have other plans in mind. You might be thinking that you are going to spend one amount for presents while your man is thinking something totally different. When it comes to scheduling, your signals may be crossed.
And you know what? To all of these scenarios, this is where clear and consistent communication come in. Don’t assume anything. Don’t dictate anything either. From now until New Year’s, mutually decide to check in once a week, just to make sure that you are both on the same page as it relates to the holidays and what you both are thinking will come along with it. The less blindsided you both feel, the less stressed out you will be. Trust me on this.
Set (and Keep) a Budget
GiphyOkay, so I read that last year, 36 percent of Americans incurred some type of holiday-related debt. Hmph. Last year, there was still some sense of normalcy in this country, chile, so I can only imagine what finances are gonna look like over the next several weeks. That said, since I don’t know a lot of people who don’t find being broke stressful, make sure that you and your bae set a budget and then stick to it this year — no ifs, ands or buts.
Because really, y’all — it doesn’t make sense to deplete savings and/or max out credit cards for a few days of giggles only to be damn near losing your mind because you don’t know how to make ends meet come Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
And by the way, this tip doesn’t just speak to things like food and gifts; I also mean travel. If it doesn’t make a ton of sense (or cents) to be all over the place this year — DON’T BE.
Keep Matthew 5:37 at the Forefront
GiphyIf off the top of your head, you don’t know what Matthew 5:37 says, no worries, here ya go: “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” That verse right there? Oh, it’s a boundaries lifesaver! I say that because do you see “maybe” or “I’ll think about it” in there? Nope. LOL. It says that you should tell people “yes” or “no” and leave it at that — and that complements Anne Lamott’s quote, “’No’ is a complete sentence” impeccably well. Yeah, you’ve got to remember that anything beyond a yes or no to a request is privileged information; you don’t owe anyone details or an explanation.
Besides, if you are really honest with yourself, when someone asks you something and you give a “Umm, let me think about it” kind of reply, more times than not, you already know what your answer is going to be — so why not let you both off of the hook? Give your response. Commit to that. And let everyone (including yourself) get on with their lives and schedules.
I promise you that when it comes to those holiday parties, you are pissing more folks off by not RSVP’ing or doing so and not showing up than just saying, “Thank you but not this year” off the rip.
Remember That Your Personal Space Is Privilege Not a Right
GiphyA friend of mine recently bought a new house and invited me over to come see it. He’s a single man with no children, so as I was taking in all of the space that he had, especially as I walked through his finished basement, I joked about relatives coming to live with him. “Hell no” and “absolutely not” were pretty much his immediate responses as he went on to say that some folks even had the nerve to be offended when he told them that he had no intentions on taking DNA in.
Ain’t it wild how people think that your stuff is their right? And yes, that brings me to my next point. Your home is your sanctuary space. If you want to host folks this year — cool. If not, ALSO COOL. Please don’t let folks (family included) guilt you into how they want you to act or even into what they would do if the shoe was on the other foot. You are not them — and as one of my favorite quotes states, “If two people were exactly alike, one of them would be unnecessary.” (A man by the name Larry Dixon said that.)
Hell, my friends? They know that I am good for sending them random things that they need or even want all throughout the year. Coming over to hang out at my pace, though. Uh-uh. Chalk it up to being a card-carrying member of the ambivert club yet I like keeping my living space personal — and I sleep like a baby, each and every night, for feeling that way.
Always remember that your space, your time, your resources, your energy and shoot, yourself period (including your relationship), are all things that are your own. You get to choose how, when and why you want to share them. The holiday season is certainly no exception.
Cultivate Some “You Two Only” Traditions
GiphyIt’s not uncommon for some couples to hit me up after the holiday season to “detox.” Sometimes it’s due to the financial drama (and sometimes trauma) that they experienced. Sometimes it’s because they allowed their relatives (especially in-laws) to get more into their personal business than they should’ve. More than anything, though, it tends to be because they didn’t get enough quality time together and so ended up feeling “disconnected.”
Please don’t let that happen. Listen, I’m not even a holidays kind of woman and yet, I will absolutely sit myself down with some hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies to enjoy a Hallmark holiday film or two. Aside from the fact that most of them are lighthearted and sweet, I also like that they usually focus on couples loving on each other amidst all of the holiday beauty and ambiance — which is something that all couples should set aside some time to do.
Maybe it’s a vacation. Maybe it’s a staycation. Or maybe it’s my personal favorite, A SEXCATION. Whether it’s for a few days, the weekend or even overnight — don’t you let the holidays go by without setting aside time for you and your man to celebrate one another. Don’t you dare (check out “Are You Ready To Have Some Very Merry 'Christmas Sex'?”).
GET. SOME. REST.
GiphyI once read that 8 out of 10 people get stressed out over the holidays and 3 out of 10 lose sleep during to it — and when you’re stress-filled and sleep-deprived, that can absolutely lead to hypersensitivity, making mountains out of molehills and even not being in the mood for sex.
Your relationship can’t afford to go through any of this, so definitely make sure to prioritize rest. I don’t care how unrealistic it might seem during this time, sleep should never be seen as a luxury; it will always and forever be a great necessity.
That said, try to get no less than six hours of shut-eye in (check out “6 Fascinating Ways Sex And Sleep Definitely Go Hand In Hand”) and even ask your bae to take a nap with you sometimes (check out “Wanna Have Some Next-Level Sex? Take A Nap, Sis.”). Not only will sleep help to restore your mind, body and spirit but, when it’s with your partner, it’s an act of intimacy that can make you both feel super connected, even in the midst of what might feel like chaos.
___
Holiday season stress is real. Still, never give it the permission or power to throw your relationship off. Put you and your man first and let the holidays be what they are gonna be, chile.
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1. Go All Out with the Christmas Décor
GiphyThere is someone I know who is so obsessed with Christmas, she’s damn near annoying-borderline-terrifying. I’m. Not. Kidding. Yet hey, if you’re going to do a holiday-themed staycation (emphasis on “holiday-themed”), that’s kind of how you’ve got to be. Some décor ideas include:
- A fresh Christmas tree (is the most ideal) that is ultimately decorated
- Wreaths on outside and inside doors
- Garland (with twinkle lights) in predictable and unpredictable places
- Poinsettias
- Mistletoes
- Snow globes
- A stocking (with some of your favorite things in it)
- Fake snow
- Stars
- Angels
- Candy canes
- A BLACK Santa (LOL)
I mean, since you are going to be spending a lot of time at home, it can feel like a mini-winter wonderland if you are intentional about doing more decorating to your living space than you ever have before!
2. Buy a Couple of Christmas-Themed PJs
GiphyWhile I was doing some research on a totally different topic, I happened upon an article that talked about the psychology behind why we should be intentional about what we wear to bed. When you stop to think about the fact that (hopefully) you are sleeping somewhere between 6-8 hours every night, it would make sense that things like the color and fabric of your sleepwear would have a real impact on you — even subconsciously.
Well, when it comes to Christmas décor, specifically, not only does it take you back to nostalgic memories, it can also boost your moods. So, aside from being on-10 with your Christmas décor, also invest in some Christmas-themed PJs. Since you’re going to be doing a lot of lounging around (RIGHT?), do it in something that makes you think about all of your favorite things about this time of year.
3. Cop Some Christmas-Scented Candles
GiphyThere really is no telling how many articles that I’ve written where I am singing the praises of scented soy candles. Candles are soothing, comforting and a very easy way to reduce stress. Also, since it gets darker quicker and for a longer period of time around this time of the year, candles provide a relaxing vibe to your home. Since it is Christmastime, go with scents that are reminiscent of the season:
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla
- Cranberry
- Apple
- Pine
- Frankincense and Myrrh
- Peppermint
- Cashmere
- Ginger(bread)
- Orange
- Sugar Cookies
- Sandalwood
- Cloves
- Cedarwood
- (Hot) Chocolate
Personally, one of my favorite candle companies is Goose Creek. Their signature collections will have your entire house smelling like a high-end bakery. No exaggeration.
4. Play Some Winter-Themed ASMR Sounds
GiphyI’m from Nebraska and my mother was a New Yorker. So, if there is one thing that I like, it’s seasons and that includes snow during wintertime. Unfortunately, Nashville is cray-cray when it comes to that. If, where you live, the weather is all over the place too (which is why I think it’s insane that some people still give pushback to global warming) and you would like for it to at least seem like you are in your own winter wonderland — invest in some fake snow to strategically place around your home.
Oh, and don’t forget to turn on some winter-themed ASMR sounds too. YouTube has videos that run for hours on end that feature blizzards and howling winds that really can make you feel like you are in the midst of an ice storm.
5. Host a Holiday Movie Marathon
GiphyOne thing to remember about a staycation is it doesn’t mean that you have to be alone or that the only people who can participate are the ones who live with you. Since a staycation is simply about staying close to home instead of traveling afar — absolutely consider having some of your favorite people over for a holiday-themed movie marathon. Shoot, Black America Web even did you a solid by publishing “25 Best Black Christmas Movies Of All Time;” plus, Tubi has a Black holiday hits section of indie films too.
Oh, and make sure to get creative with the Christmas-themed snacks. Some ideas? Some Kentucky-fried turkey tenders with cranberry hot sauce (recipe here), some Holiday Hot Spinach Dip (recipe here), some Grinch Kabobs (recipe here), some roasted pecans (recipe here) and some Pomegranate Guacamole (recipe here).
6. Spend a Night (or Two) at a Hotel or Vacation House
GiphyJust like you don’t have to be alone during a staycation, you also don’t have to be cooped up in your house the entire time. Get a change of scenery in your own city by spending the night in a hotel that you’ve always wanted to try out or renting a vacation house for you and some of your folks to hang out in during the time between Christmas and New Year’s Day. I have a “love little sister” who does this randomly when she needs a break from her work as a therapist. She says that it’s damn near like taking a trip (and she has PLENTY of passport stamps; trust me).
7. Have Brunch or Dinner at a Christmas-Themed Restaurant
GiphyIf nothing puts a bigger smile on your face than the thought of DoorDashing meals and barely even touching your stove during your staycation — hey, I am right there with you. Do consider going out to brunch or dinner during your chill time, though. It’s another way to bond with people and create some current holiday memories. And if you’ve got a bae and you opt for dinner, it can be a wonderful type of Christmas-themed date.
8. Go to a Holiday-Themed Concert
GiphyBeing that I got my start as an entertainment writer, hear me when I say that I’m not someone who just has to go to a live concert every chance that I get. Oh, but baby, when I saw that El DeBarge was doing a City Winery tour and he was going to be here right before Christmas — I booked myself a ticket quick, fast and in a super-duper hurry! Shoot, I didn’t even want to go with someone because I plan to give him and that falsetto voice of his my complete and undivided attention. LOL.
I don’t know what it is about the holiday season that makes live music that much more enjoyable — but if there is a concert that features one of your favorite artists happening right through here, consider that to be a cool way to “tour your city” while cultivating a really awesome memory at the same time.
9. Also, Go Ice Skating
GiphyOne of my fondest memories of time with my father is going ice skating. We actually would do it in the summer (because that is when I would visit him) and, every year, he would get me a new ice skating outfit. Even now, when I watch someone ice skate (even in movies; like in the classic movie Garden State), I will have warm fuzzies.
Anyway, if you’ve never been before, go. If it’s been forever since you have, also go. There is something that is very sweet and so signature Christmas about it. Plus, it’s a top-tier form of exercise.
10. Take a Christmas Lights Tour
GiphyAnother one of my favorite Christmas memories is driving through neighborhoods and looking at the Christmas lights. And just like a Christmas concert can be a form of hometown touring, so can doing this if you decide to choose a couple of areas where you’ve never really been or rarely frequent.
Now are you excited about the thought of experiencing a holiday-themed staycation?
I thought you would be. ENJOY!
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