Christmas, like Valentine's Day, seems designed to make single people miserable. The good news is that there's a whole party season between now and Christmas Day. Pulling opportunities don't get bigger or gaudier than this!
Thanks to a combination of booze, party spirit and mistletoe, there's no better time of year to find a mate - even if it's just for the night.
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Here are our seven sassy ways to make the most of the snogging season;
1. Say 'yes'
Accept every invitation. This is a time when habitual stay-in types come out of hiding, and friends finally catch up after another year out of touch. Whether it's a giant house party or a few drinks at a mate's place, chances are high that you'll meet someone new.
Of course you'll suffer festive fatigue at some point. After your 15th party in a week, staying at home with Strictly and a bucket of hot chocolate will seem a lot more attractive than going out.
But if you really want a date, you need to make the most of the brief party season. Save your cocooning for January.
2. Don't dismiss the office do
Sometimes, the one you're looking for is so close you can't even see him. And sometimes, he works a few feet away - but you never meet during office hours.
This is why the office Christmas party is so much more than a sexed-up work meeting. It's your chance to show your fun side to the people (and hotties) who normally see you frowning over a hot computer.
Finesse is required when pulling at the office party. Remember that you have to work with him afterwards. Keep your head, choose wisely, and never snog your boss.
3. Embrace the family get-together
Turn down a Christmas visit to your ageing auntie at your peril. You last saw your cousin in nappies, but he's now all grown up with a gaggle of handsome friends.
Isn't it lucky, then, that Cuz and his mates want to take you to the pub while your mum and auntie catch up over a glass of sherry...?
4. Frock up
This time of year is your best excuse for frocking up like there's no tomorrow. Dress in your finery, cram your feet into killer heels and break out the liquid eyeliner. Heck, use the false eyelashes you bought last May.
Dressing up will raise your party confidence and boost your determination to make the most of it. You'll feel flirty and sexy before you've even left the house.
5. Smile like you mean it
When the party crowd is heaving and the music hurts your ear drums, your witty banter won't go far. (And if you try, you'll get a sore throat.) So flirt with your body instead.
If you want to pull at any gathering, you need to look approachable and switched-on. The best way to do this is to relax your face and smile. Most of us frown when we're miles away, so pay attention to your expression and keep it friendly.
Good flirty eye contact is worth a bazillion chat-up lines. If you catch a guy's eye and he likes what he sees, he'll straighten up his posture and suppress a smile. That's your cue to go in for the kill.
6. Think outside the party box
Mates' parties and office dos are not the only man-hunting ground during the party season. Here are a few more rich festive seams:
The supermarket queue
Supermarket queues are pretty good pulling places all year round, but at Christmas they come into their own. Queues are longer, meaning more time to eye your prey and take aim. Chat-ups are easy: simply ask him where the mince pies are. Men always melt at the word 'pie'.
Midnight Mass
Our entirely unofficial survey suggests that the Midnight Mass congregation is 10 per cent church goers, 90 per cent people who've turned up for a giggle. Play eye-catchy games with bored-looking men, and the time will fly. Rumour has it there's even free wine.
The gym
The period immediately after Christmas offers a double whammy of gym-pulling. Gyms slash their membership fees to coincide with the January sales, and men flock in to lose their Christmas lard.
7. Don't get hung up on your dream man
The best way to succeed with men during the festive season is not to get fixated on finding 'The One'. You'll be more relaxed and better company if you see it as a time to eat, drink, snog and be merry - sometimes in the company of fit blokes.
As you get into the swing of socialising and meeting men casually, you'll exude more confidence than if you were hung up on finding your soul mate. Ironically, that confidence will make you infinitely more attractive to men.
Join now and start meeting singles near you for fun, love or romance