Experts warn to watch out for new ‘red flag’ dating trend called ‘sledging’ ahead of the holidays

The nights are getting colder and darker and Christmas is right around the corner, which can only mean one thing: it's officially cuffing season.

As many singletons double down on their mission to find a romantic relationship for the winter months, experts are warning against yet another dangerous dating trend.

As if we've got more things to be worried about when it comes to the dating than being 'zombied' and 'carouselling'.

Romance expert Claire Rénier, from dating app Happn, says daters need to be aware and look out for signs they're being 'sledged'.

And no, it has nothing to do with the fun winter pastime we all know as sledging, but it may just give you chills.

Despite its name, the dating trend has nothing to do with actual sledging (Getty stock images)

Speaking to the Daily Star, Rénier explained that 'sledging' in this instance, means to lead - or drag - someone along through Christmas and winter holidays, with no plans to maintain the relationship beyond the new year.

"This can be toxic and a red flag. It plays with people’s emotions and fosters short-term satisfaction," she told the publication.

It's pretty savage, and Rénier warns that Gen Z of all people, are the ones who need to be most wary of any potential red flags they could be mean they are being 'sledged'.

A study of 600 daters between the ages of 18 and 25, by Happn, found that 15 percent of people kept a relationship going - despite not really liking their partner, with the end goal being to break things off as the holidays come to an end.

In fact, they found that as many as three quarters of sledgers (75 percent) made the decision to end things with their partner in November - but not actually doing so until after Christmas.

For sledgers, a relationship is truly only for Christmas (Getty stock images)

Even worse than that, the remaining quarter (25 percent) made their plans to sled and ditch as early as August.

What is actually the point in sledging, you might ask.

Well, people have a number of different reasons for participating in the toxic trend, but according to the study, the most common reason, among 60 percent of sledgers was simply for sex, while half of them admitted to wanting to have someone to cuddle in the colder months.

Just under half, around 40 percent said they wanted to avoid feeling lonely over the festive period, a third wanted to avoid questions about why they're single, and 20 percent just wanted a plus one for all the Christmas and New Year parties.

But just because it's a common trend, doesn't mean people need to put up with it, as Rénier explains: "People shouldn’t be treated this way in what should be a loving and trusting relationship.

"Young people should find more authentic connections with people with shared locations and hobbies. This way they can find partners that are genuinely interested in them and sustain a relationship to last beyond just the winter."

And it's not the only holiday-themed dating trend to watch out for as 'scrooging' can also happen during Christmas - and judging by the name, you know it's not good.