There’s something about December that turns even the chillest singles into bold, confident, peppermint-fueled flirts. Maybe it’s the cold, maybe it’s the cocktails, maybe it’s the socially acceptable amount of glitter in the air. But holiday hookups? They just hit different. And guess what: science actually backs it up.

Let’s start with the obvious culprit: lowered inhibition. Studies show that people feel more outgoing, impulsive, and open to new experiences during festive environments. Translation: your brain basically sees twinkle lights and says, sure, why not. Add in seasonal beverages and the fact that half the room is wearing velvet, and suddenly everyone is giving main character energy.

Then there’s the cozy factor. Winter weather triggers your body to crave warmth, comfort, and connection. But not necessarily relationship-style connection. Just “someone warm in this moment, please.” Biologically, cold weather increases cortisol and reduces serotonin, which can make you crave physical closeness. The good news is you don’t need to sign a long-term contract to get it. A holiday hookup scratches the itch without dragging you into Valentine’s Day expectations.

There’s also the nostalgia effect. Holidays remind us of childhood, family, and traditions, which makes adults want to feel carefree again. So what do you do? You get playful. You get spontaneous. Suddenly the cute stranger at the bar looks like the perfect person to kiss under a string of mismatched ornaments your coworker hung from a stapler.

And we cannot ignore the travel chaos bump. People visiting their hometown, people escaping their hometown, people avoiding their hometown entirely by disappearing into a ski lodge for three days. December is a giant, glorious shuffle of humans who are all slightly out of routine, which makes casual connections feel easy and low-pressure. When someone tells you they leave tomorrow, your brain immediately grants permission to skip the “so what are we” conversation for eternity.

Holiday hookups are their own special breed of magic. They’re fun, they’re fleeting, they’re sparkly, and they require exactly zero emotional heavy lifting. If cuffing season stresses you out, think of this as the cooler, wilder cousin who shows up uninvited and steals all the peppermint bark.

If you’re ready to lean into the science, embrace the shenanigans, and maybe make this December a little hotter than the mulled wine you’re holding, join OBC. Your next holiday hookup is just a message away.