7 Tips for A Magical Holiday Proposal

The holiday season is a magical time of year when families and friends come together to express their gratitude and enjoy each other’s company. Many people also see the holiday season as the perfect time to propose, which explains why a whopping 40% of proposals take place between November and February.

From family get-togethers and holiday celebrations to unpredictable winter weather, there’s a lot that you need to keep in mind when planning to pop the question during the holidays. Follow these tips to nail the perfect holiday proposal:

Incorporate the Proposal Setting Into the Ring Design

Make sure your significant other remembers your romantic proposal every time she looks down at her engagement ring by incorporating the holiday/winter theme into the ring’s design. For example, if you’re popping the question on Christmas, look for a Christmas-themed engagement ring with ruby or emerald gemstone accents. If you are proposing in the snow, look for an engagement ring with a snowflake-inspired setting. Incorporating the setting into the ring’s design will show your significant other how much thought you put into your proposal plans.

Activate All Five Senses

For a truly memorable proposal, think of ways to activate all five of your significant other’s senses while you pop the question. The holidays are associated with the sound of crackling fire, the taste of gingerbread or hot chocolate, the scent of pine trees, the feel of soft, cozy blankets, and the sight of white snow. Incorporate elements like these into your plans so she feels fully immersed in the moment. Sensory information like this--especially scents--is connected to the memory. This means every time your significant other smells pine trees or tastes gingerbread, she will be reminded of your unforgettable proposal.

Think About Your Significant Other’s Personality

The key to nailing the perfect proposal is thinking about your significant other’s personality. This is especially true when it comes to deciding whether you should plan a public or private proposal. If your significant other tends to shy away from the spotlight, she will probably prefer a more intimate, private proposal. However, if she loves being surrounded by people and sharing her life with her loved ones, a public proposal will make her eyes light up with glee.

Don’t Give the Secret Away

The holiday season is the most popular time of year for engagements, so your significant other may be expecting a proposal. Play it cool and keep your nerves in check so she doesn’t suspect that you’re planning a secret proposal. If you’re traveling together during the holidays, keep the ring in your carry-on luggage instead of your pocket so TSA does not spoil your surprise. You should also avoid telling family members or friends about your plans if they are known for not being able to keep a secret. The element of surprise makes the proposal more special, so try your best to keep everything under wraps.  

Take Advantage of the Holiday Decorations

Most places are decorated with twinkling holiday lights, rustic wreaths, and other festive items this time of year. Use these decorations to create a unique and unforgettable backdrop for your proposal. In the future, your significant other will remember this special moment every time she sees the sparkle of holiday lights.

Think Outside the Holidays

The actual holidays that fall within the holiday season, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, are the busiest days of the year for many people. There’s no need to squeeze your proposal into your significant other’s schedule if she’s busy from sunrise to sunset on these holidays. Think outside of the holiday box and propose on another day during the holiday season so you can have your significant other’s full attention.

Have A Plan B

The holiday season can be unpredictable. Bad weather can delay travel plans, surprise guests can disrupt festivities, and holiday parties can last much longer than you expected. For these reasons, it’s best to have a back-up plan ready in case the first plan does not work out as intended. This way, you will still get to propose during the holiday season even if it doesn’t go exactly as planned.

Pulling off the perfect holiday proposal is not easy. Following these tips will ensure your plan goes off without a hitch so you can make this holiday season one that your significant other will never forget!