Christmas is a magical time of the year and, for those in relationships, a romantic one too. With December proposals popular with many Brits, now might be the time to start planning the perfect festive proposal. With new research from high-street jewellers F.Hinds finding that UK residents expect the average price for ‘the perfect proposal’ to be £2,348, it may also be worth re-examining your Christmas budget.
If you’ve decided that this Christmas is the right time to pop the question, read on for ideas on planning a festive proposal.
Create your own advent calendar
If you enjoy the excitement of opening an advent calendar each year, why not make this an advent calendar that your partner will never forget? Either make or buy a wooden calendar with little advent drawers that can be filled with things your partner will enjoy – leaving the last drawer for the engagement ring! Make sure to wrap the ring box in something that makes it unidentifiable in case your partner takes a sneak peek!
Add a special message to a Christmas bauble
Decorating the Christmas tree is a traditional and beloved activity in many households. Consider making this festive activity one to remember by customising a bauble with the message ‘will you marry me?’ etched into the glass. Hand the bauble to your partner, getting down on one knee as they read the message.
Proposing this way will also enable you to have a keepsake, which can be hung on the Christmas tree year after year to remind you of the moment.
A Christmas walk
If a Christmas Day walk is an activity that you enjoy every year – and the weather is dry on the day – wrap up warm and head out to a spot that is special to you as a couple. You could even take a flask of hot chocolate or mulled wine to toast your new engagement.
Proposing on a walk is a good way of making the moment an intimate one, especially as it’s been revealed that we tend to shy away from the spotlight when it comes to a public proposal – three-quarters of Brits say that they would be put off if their partner proposed to them in front of a crowd. Sharing an intimate proposal together and then heading back home to celebrate with family might be the perfect balance.
The giant present illusion
If you know that your partner may be expecting a festive proposal, a small present sitting under the tree will be an easy giveaway. Take a large box then either put the small ring box inside while carefully cushioned with padding or add several smaller boxes inside – the Russian doll technique. This will keep your partner guessing right up until Christmas Day.
A proposal jigsaw
Do you enjoy playing games during the holiday season? If so, this could be the perfect way of asking your partner to marry you. Customise a board game or jigsaw puzzle that, once complete, asks the all-important question.
However you decide to ask the one you love to marry you this Christmas, be sure to enjoy the moment to its fullest once you’ve planned out how you’re going to do it.
