According to Forbes.com, the U.S. Census Bureau reports, nearly 47% of the U.S. population (just over 117 million people) are currently single. 2023 data from Pew Research Center finds that three in 10 Americans are single, and about half (51%) are open to either a committed relationship or casual dates.
During the holiday season many singles have a difficult time engaging in celebrations not because they don't want to, but because of you! The people that feel uncomfortable having singles around them or the people that overstep their boundaries and want to know personal information that usually you will not ask a married person. There are singles that enjoy being around other families because they yearn to have that someday and there are singles that are perfectly happy not having that family and being on their own, but still enjoy the connection with others regardless of their family status. The holidays are for connection and celebration not to remind people of their marital status or lack of. So, I wanted to put together a list of do's and don'ts to open up the eyes of people that don't understand singlehood and hope it helps singles this holiday season to be accepted with no strings attached.
Do: Invite singles to holiday parties regardless of not having an immediate husband/wife or children.
Don't: Tell them last minute about the party, if you created an invitation give the same to them and time range as well. For example, if you created an email, text or handwritten invitation, do the same for them. It feels awful to see you were last in their mind or were not thought off when creating the invitation list. Believe me, it happens more often than you expect.
Do: If you are having a potluck do assign a dish to a single person, many like to cook or bake and are eager to participate because they usual cook for one.
Don't: Assign the most expensive dish because you think they have more money because they don't take care of a family. They do have financial responsibilities like everyone else.
Do: Engage them in conversations about family memories or traditions.
Don't: Assume they don't have any good holiday memories because they don't have an immediate family.
Do: If you have a sitting arrangement do sit them with families. It's nice to experience the warmth of other families.
Don't: Sit them with the children.
Do: Talk about the importance of family and connection. It's ok!
Don't: Ask them Infront of everyone their marital status or tell them "Time is ticking" or " biological clock is running out". Just plain disrespectful and uncomfortable!
Do: Send Christmas cards.
Don't: Assume they wouldn't like them. They enjoy knowing they are thought of.
Do: Let the kids connect with them
Don't: Assume all singles don't like children. Many are great with children and would like some of their own.
Overall, singles regardless of what kind of family they want; they just want to safely connect with others without needing to protect their privacy or feel less than. If you have other singles in your invite list do introduce them but don't embarrass them by telling everyone you hope there is a connection within them, and everyone is just starring and waiting to see the connection. So, awkward and embarrassing! If you are genuinely interested in getting to know a single person invite them out for coffee or a hike they will enjoy connecting with you.
This is not an exhausted list, but I hope it helps people understand a little about singlehood and singles can enjoy their holiday season without any worries.
Many Blessings!
Very helpful to know all this info,so people be aware and don't keep making these mistakes.