It’s a fact: Christmas is the most popular time of the year to propose. Of all the special days you can pick during the year, it’s not really surprising that twinkling fairy lights, cosy fires, snowflakes and a general feeling of peace and love results in so many new engagements!
If you’re thinking of making this a Christmas to remember, read on for why we think proposing at this time of year is so magical – and our top ideas for Christmas proposals that are sure to be the best present ever!
Why should you propose at Christmas?
“Christmas is the perfect time to surprise a loved one with a proposal,” says Vicki Atkinson, editor of Simply Christmas magazine. “It’s one way to ensure your memories of that year’s festivities really stand out!”
Wedding planner Lucy Reid couldn’t agree more. “Christmas is such a magical time of the year with lots of romance in the air, and all the cosy nights in and family time are absolutely perfect for proposing,” she states. And it seems Lucy isn’t alone with her thoughts on the magic of Christmas proposals – she reports that the period after Christmas and New Year is always one of her busiest enquiry periods.
For many people, Christmas is their favourite time of the year, so a festive proposal is the perfect way to make it even more special. Lauren Collingbourne was thrilled to be gifted with a festive proposal – one that was in front of her whole family. “Lewis wrote me a poem on the top of a memory box and as I opened it there was a picture inside of my dogs, wearing Christmas hats, with a sign in front of them saying ‘will you marry me?’ When I looked over the lid Lewis was kneeling down. Christmas is my favourite day of the year and he knows that, so it was absolutely perfect.”
If Christmas Day itself is a bit too much pressure, opt instead for one of the days during twixmas – the period between Christmas and New Year. That way, you’ll still enjoy the magic of the festive period but ensure all your gifts aren’t opened on one day!
Joanne Coley from Birmingham was proposed to on 29th December by her now-husband Andy. “Andy didn’t want it to be on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day as he wanted it to be special in its own right,” explains Joanne. “We went to see our parents on 30th December, then on New Year’s Eve we went into Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter for me to choose my ring. I told Andy that he’d started a tradition that every New Year’s Eve, we should go into the Quarter and buy something sparkly. Sadly, it’s never materialised!”
How to propose at Christmas
So if you’ve decided that a Christmas proposal idea is the one for you, now you need to consider how to pop your festive question! Luckily, there are endless romantic ways to plan a Christmas proposal and make the most of the season. Here are five to give you some festive proposal inspiration:
Turn the ring into a Christmas decoration
Thread your ring through a piece of pretty ribbon or twine and hang it from the branches of your Christmas tree, and then pop the question while kneeling underneath. Simple but oh-so effective! Or you could buy a special proposal bauble — we love this wooden ring box from Wood Paper Scissors that has space for the ring inside.
Behind an advent calendar
Choose the day you want to propose, then hide the ring behind the door of your partner’s advent calendar. That’ll be one door they won’t forget opening!
During the New Year’s Eve countdown
Make the forthcoming year even more memorable by starting out on 1st January as an engaged couple. As the clock counts down towards midnight, pop the question and then hopefully pop the bottle of Champagne!
During a walk
A wander in the crisp, frosty air, wrapped up against the cold and fortified with a flask of hot chocolate or mulled wine, is always a lovely Christmas activity, and would make a wonderful Christmas proposal opportunity. You could also book tickets for one of the many illuminated trails open at this time of year to give your Christmas proposal a seriously pretty backdrop. And bonus points if it’s also snowing!
Ice skating
If you’re confident on a pair of skates, getting down on one knee in the middle of an ice rink will give your festive proposal a lovely winter twist.
And of course, if you give the gift of a festive proposal, how about matching it with a Christmas wedding?
Don’t forget to give a marriage proposal gift to your beloved partner. Need inspiration? Read more about it here.
