What You Should (And Shouldn't) Look For In A Cuffing Season Partner

Ahhh, cuffing season: The time of year when singles of the universe shack up to spend the winter months Netflix and chilling together.

The weather is colder, your bed is warmer and your sex life is hotter.

There are a few good reasons to date a person, and a ton of really, really terrible ones. When choosing your snuggle buddy, it's important you choose wisely so you don't spend the next few months in a confused relationship, wasting your time or leading someone on.

Ahhh, cuffing season: The weather is colder, your bed is warmer and your sex life is hotter.

It may take a little more patience than you'd like to give to this kind of flimsy standard, but it will be worth it in the end.

So to make sure you're making the right choice this winter, here's what to look for in a cuffing season partner:

Consider their geographical proximity.

Trust me, you do not want to get caught in a booty call situation that involves mass transit, two train transfers or an expensive taxi ride in the dead of winter on a week night.

The best hook-up buddies live nearby, near a liquor store or above a pizza shop. If you don't have a hook-up buddy in mind, make an effort to hang out at some local haunts and see who there is to see.

The best hook-up buddies live nearby, near a liquor store or above a pizza shop.

Consider their taste in television.

Half of the cuffing equation is hooking up, and the other half is watching lots and lots of TV and movies while it blusters outside.

If he's into all Sci-Fi drama, and you're into all cooking shows, this might not be a match made in temporary love heaven.

Find a common TV series you both can get behind binge-watching, and watch how quickly they turn out to be the only person who "gets you" anymore.

Consider their personal hygiene standards.

By cuffing definition, you will be spending a lot of time indoors with this person. What is their personal hygiene standard? Are they messy or are they dirty?

Are they the kind of person who wears their day clothes until the last minute, or do they jump into sweatpants the second their feet touch their door mat?

Do they wear deodorant? What is their shower like?

Some of these questions might be hard to answer if this is your first go-around together, but keep an eye out on your first sleepover. Make your next moves accordingly.

Consider if there will be lingering drama once the warm seasons hit.

How easy will it be to transition out of cuffing mode once summer hits?

Will you run into this person everywhere? Do you want to?

Are they your best friend's little brother?  Are you the kind of person who gets emotionally invested, even if you tell yourself 1,000 times it's just a fling?

Don't invite permanent drama into your life for temporary pleasure.

Don't invite permanent drama into your life for temporary pleasure.

Consider your finances. Seriously.

You would not believe how fast Dominos and white wine add up. If you aren't used to buying for two or chipping in by splitting the check, don't jump into a Thursday-to-Sunday-night fuck buddy scenario.

That's four nights of ordering take-out, four mornings of bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches and four days of sushi restaurants.

If you aren't ready to cough up the delivery fees, don't invite over the Ps, Vs, Ds or Bs. (Penises, vaginas, dicks or butts, respectively.)

Don't forget, it's supposed to be fun.

If it feels stressful, it's not for you.

Listen to your hookup gut (aka your vagina, probably), and do what — and who — feels right.

Be safe out there and keep your head on straight. Don't make any sudden moves. Remember — let the cuff cum to you.