Planning a Christmas proposal? There’s ONE thing you have to get right!
To be super clear: when you propose at Christmas time, there’s one secret you absolutely can’t ignore, if you want it to go perfectly. There’s many more tips and ideas you can choose to take on board as well! We’ll give you those in a nutshell, but let’s get cracking with the single most important thing you need to know about Christmas proposals.
A Christmas proposal has to be personal.
That’s it. That’s the biggest thing you need to get right if you’re going to propose at Christmas time. Whichever day, or time, or setting you choose, you’ve got to think it through – and from your partner’s perspective. Forget about festive proposals you’ve seen in movies, read about online or been shown by the algorithms. Step away from outside influences and think about your partner.
- What do they love most about Christmas time?
- Are they introvert? Extrovert?
- Do they like peace and quiet? Quiet proposals are a big deal right now…
- Would they really want to be the centre of attention?
- Do they like to be different?
- Or do they love the romance of tradition?
- And finally, would they like to have photos of the occasion?
A piece of research by Pandora puts Christmas proposals into perspective, and highlights a few clichés that you might want to avoid! They told us the festive season remains one of the most popular times to pop the question, with UK Google searches for ‘proposal ideas’ reaching their peak during December. However – they reckon only one-fifth (21%) of UK women*** would love to be proposed to at Christmas, regardless of the location and timing, while a third (35%) would welcome it only if the circumstances were right.
*** – I’ve overdone the asterisks a little here because this is all painfully sexist. Pandora, if you’re reading this – here’s a little reminder that women and non-binary folks can propose too! It’s pretty clear from the study that Pandora forgot about them. *Sigh!*
Is there a ‘best’ day for a Christmas proposal?
Apparently the exact day you choose could also be important, as one in five (20%) of people said Christmas Eve would be their ideal day, while 16% preferred New Year’s Eve. The third most favoured day for just under a tenth (9%) was the big day itself – Christmas Day.
It feels important to consider that everyone is different, and following what the averages from a survey tell you, won’t guarantee Christmas proposal success. I’m sure there are people out there who will LOVE a proposal on the Big Day itself. If that’s your partner, you’ll know. You just will. Don’t let a random page on the internet stop you from embracing the magic if your heart is telling you your special person would love a Christmas Day proposal!
The best spot for a Christmas proposal is (not)…
It’s not just the day that’s important to get right, the choice of location can take the proposal from special to cliché. The UK’s (sweeping generalisation… 😉 least favoured festive location to be asked the all-important question is in a busy restaurant, with nearly half (46%) of women admitting they wouldn’t be keen on such a public setting. Sharing the same unpopularity score and just as exposed, in second place, is under a public Christmas tree.
Perhaps it depends on the tree. Some towns and cities do decs better than others… just saying!
Whilst it might be the setting of many a romantic movie, the third least loved location, is a spot widely considered as one of the most romantic places in the world – New York City. And this, lovely readers, must have been a very random spot to include on the list of questions in Pandora’s survey! Nonetheless – don’t spend a fortune going to NY just to propose unless you know it’s your partner’s dream engagement spot! (To be fair, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree probably gets busy with lots of people dropping onto one knee all at once, and that might be less than ideal!)
If busy restaurants, public Christmas trees and NYC are the clichés, where are the best places to pop the question? It all depends on you, and them.
Go back to the questions we asked at the top of this page. Consider your partner’s favourite places, their personality, the kind of place they consider romantic. It could be a windy beach, a cosy lounge in a Lake District hotel, or the exact same spot their parents got engaged. Our only advice? Avoid what the internet tells you, and make it all about the person you love.
If you think your other half would love a grand gesture, the biggest proposal ideas are here!
Pandora partnered with Hamish from Bridebook for more expert advice on Christmas proposals.
Hamish explains: “Christmas is a hugely popular time to propose, it always has been and it always will be! There are multiple benefits to proposing at this time of year, including the fact that it’s a time of togetherness. Many couples spend time with extended family and friends, so it’s a great time to celebrate engagement news, or even plan a proposal in front of loved ones.
“There are so many Instagram-ready spots for Christmas proposals too – [if that’s your thing!] think Christmas light trails, ice skating rinks and even at home in front of a roaring fire next to the Christmas tree.”
The five do’s and don’t’s of a Christmas proposal
When it comes to planning a festive proposal, Hamish has five tips to help you:
- Do consider the setting: Think about the setting, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to romantic settings at Christmas, so plan ahead to find the perfect one.
- Do factor in your partner’s personality: Match the gesture to their personality, extroverted people will love a romantic proposal on Christmas Day surrounded by loved ones, while more reserved partners would probably prefer a quiet moment in front of the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve.
- Don’t neglect other gifts: Don’t assume it’s a standalone Christmas present – a proposal is a gift to both of you! So make sure you have another gift for your partner too, so they feel even more loved.
- Don’t tell everyone: If you let too many people know what’s in store, you run the risk of spoiling the surprise.
- Don’t forget to plan: Christmas light trails, dinner experiences and other festive things book up fast. If that’s part of your plan, don’t leave it to the last minute
Striking the balance between festive and personal is crucial. To make the moment perfect, Hamish suggests:
“Whilst it’s a lovely idea to embrace the festivities of the season when it comes to proposing at Christmas, don’t get too caught up in the Christmas side of it, and forget the personal details.
“Treat Christmas as a contributing factor, but not the centre of your proposal, to make sure it’s still personal to your partner and relevant to your relationship and think about what would mean the most to your partner when planning your proposal.”
How to choose a ring you know they’ll love
Choosing the right engagement ring is another difficult element for people proposing, so jewellery expert Emma Fox at Pandora UK has shared top tips for getting it right:
“There are lots of ways you can get an idea of what style ring your partner would like, the most obvious being asking their closest friend or family member – either they’ll have discussed the topic before, or they can broach the subject with them and report back.
“Alternatively, casually showing them pictures of other people’s proposals (and engagement rings) and asking their opinion can help you to form an idea of what style they’d like. Or if they use Pinterest, have a look at their profile to see if they’ve saved any future wedding or engagement inspiration, as this might also provide some useful clues!
“I’d suggest paying attention to their jewellery collection and the styles of rings or bracelets they typically wear. If they often lean towards a particular metal, like gold, silver or rose gold, choosing a ring with the same coloured band should be a safe choice. If they like chunkier pieces of jewellery you might want to go for a thicker band, or a more sculptural design with statement stones.
“If you’re really concerned about getting the engagement ring style right, another option would be to propose with a placeholder ring and choose the ring together with your partner. This makes it more personal to them and ensures they’ll love the ring for years to come, whilst maintaining the surprise element of the proposal. The placeholder ring can then be swapped to another finger, or used when travelling to avoid losing your engagement ring.”
To shop engagement rings, or for general Christmas jewellery gifting inspiration, visit the Pandora website.
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