cuffing season
n. Late fall and early winter when single people seek exclusive relationships to help them get through the coming cold months.
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2014
It's that time of year. Not for turkey and stocking stuffers, but for giving and getting some good lovin'.

We've entered cuffing season.

Like many trends starting in hip-hop and black culture, the term cuffing season has become the latest not-so-new phenomenon to hit the mainstream.
—Sofiya Ballin, “Cuffing season, for serious coupling,” Philadelphia Inquirer, November 12, 2014
2013
Every year at the beginning of autumn, a phenomenon known as "cuffing season" begins. When the cold weather and prolonged indoor activity of the fall and winter months are around the corner, many single people are inspired to "cuff" a new partner.
—Nikki Lynette, “All breakups are bad breakups,” Chicago Redeye, August 27, 2013
2012
As for Paul, he says he’s a first-time cuffer.

“This is my first year, I think I’m going to partake in cuffing season,” he said, while looking genuinely cised for it.
—Sarah Kogod, “Niles Paul explains 'cuffing season',” The Washington Post, August 29, 2012
2008 (earliest)
9PM-12AM "Cuz We Said So" live on brooklyncollegeradio.org. Tonight's topic: "Wifing" some1 for the winter aka "Cuffin Season," yay or nay?
—Holley Murchison, “9PM-12AM…,” Twitter, November 17, 2008
Notes
Why "cuffing"? Because, to some, getting into an exclusive relationships is like putting on handcuffs. The "cuffs" are unlocked (that is, the relationship is ended) when the weather warms (the U.S. Memorial Day holiday in May seems to be the unofficial start of "uncuffing season"). Romantics should apply elsewhere.