If you got an out-of-the-blue text from an ex while drinking mulled wine next to the Christmas tree this week, you're not alone. Hearing from ghosts of romantic partners past around the Christmas holidays is actually so common it has a name: Marleying.
In case you don't catch the reference, Marleying gets it's name from Marley, the stingy late business partner of Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. It was coined by online dating website eHarmony after the company surveyed more than 4,000 British adults and asked whether they had received a text from an ex around the festive period.
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The study found that 11% of singles surveyed have been Marleyed, while 8% have contacted an ex themselves.
But why does this happen more during this time of year? Experts say it's a mix of nostalgia, loneliness, and opportunity.
"The end of the year makes many people feel introspective," Erika Martinez, Psy.D, licensed psychologist, told Bustle. "It's not unusual for exes to reach out since they've been reminiscing and feeling nostalgic. This is especially true when there's more possibility of connecting as people return home for the holidays."
Of course, that doesn't mean everyone is looking forward to rekindling an old romance. If you've been Marleyed or plan on getting in touch with an ex over the next few days, remember that it's okay for anyone to refuse to meet up.
"Just because you are at home visiting your old haunts, doesn’t necessarily mean you should feel compelled to haunt a former partner," Rachael Lloyd from eHarmony told Mashable. "Though some people are happy to reconnect with an ex over Christmas, it’s important to ensure you are both on the same page to avoid confusion or hurt."