What is Cuffing Season and How to Survive it in the Stateline [LIST]

Soon the leaves will start to fall, you'll be pulling out your box of cozy sweaters and you'll be warming up your couch for hours of hot chocolate sipping and Netflix watching. But, don't do it alone. If you're single, now's your time to embrace the seasonal phenomenon known as "cuffing" season.

What is "cuffing" season? Urban Dictionary defines it as:

"During the Fall and Winter months people who would normally rather be single or promiscuous find themselves along with the rest of the world desiring to be "Cuffed" or tied down by a serious relationship. The cold weather and prolonged indoor activity causes singles to become lonely and desperate to be cuffed."

But what do you do once you're "cuffed"? Before you bring them to those holiday parties and family gatherings, you have to get to know them first; and what better way to do that with a series of fun dates right here in the Stateline.

1
Apple/Pumpkin Picking
Trips to the apple orchard or pumpkin patch aren't just for families and field trips anymore; they're perfect for dates too. Spend the day picking apples and pumpkins, whip up a pie when you get home and share all those adorable photos of you two on Facebook and Instagram.
A few local farms include:
Edwards Apple Orchard, 8218 Cemetery Road, Winnebago, IL
Curran's Orchard, 6385 Kilburn Avenue, Rockford, IL
Valley Orchard, 811 E. State St. Cherry Valley, IL

Andrew Michael
Andrew Michael
2
Hayrides
You might be able to kill two birds with one stone on this one. Many pumpkin patches and apple orchards also have hayrides. Enjoy the crisp autumn air and the beautiful scenery as your partner pulls you in close to keep you warm.
Tim Boyle, Getty Images
Tim Boyle, Getty Images
3
Corn Mazes
Before you get lost in each others eyes, see if you can get lost in a corn maze. If you're able to find each other, it was obviously meant to be.
Local corn mazes to visit:
The Pumpkin Patch, 3178 IL Route 173, Caledonia, IL
Jonamac Orchard, 19412 Shabbona Rd, Malta, IL
Joe Raedle, Getty Images
Joe Raedle, Getty Images
4
Park it in the Parks
We have been so blessed with the weather we've been having as of lately. Get out and enjoy it by strolling hand-in-hand in one of Winnebago County's parks.
You've got Rock Cut State Park and Sinnissippi Park here in Rockford and the Hononegah Forest Preserve in Roscoe...to name a few.
malyugin, ThinkStock
malyugin, ThinkStock
5
Screamfest
The true test to see if your "cuffing" partner will become more than just a seasonal fling is how he/she reacts in scary situations. Will he hold you when you get scared? Will she look to you for comfort when she's being chased by a crazed maniac with a chainsaw?
Find out at:
Trail of Screams, 4500 Rotary Road, Rockford, IL
Six Flags Great America Fright Fest, 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee, IL
Paul Brennan, ThinkStock
Paul Brennan, ThinkStock

Filed Under: Date Ideas, Fall, Relationships

Categories: Articles, Lists