The Do’s and Don’ts of a Christmas Proposal – How to Strike the Perfect Festive Balance
It’s 6 weeks till Christmas – here are the do’s and don’ts of a festive proposal
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. A recent study revealed that 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.
When it comes to choosing the perfect festive moment, the study conducted by Pandora UK revealed that one in five (20%) 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’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 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.
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.
| The UK’s top 10 Christmas proposal clichés | ||
| 1 | In a busy restaurant | 46% |
| 2 | Under a public Christmas tree | 46% |
| 3 | In New York City | 38% |
| 4 | At an ice rink | 36% |
| 5 | At a Christmas market | 32% |
| 6 | Surrounded by family | 27% |
| 7 | Whilst on holiday in a snowy destination | 23% |
| 8 | Hidden in an Advent calendar | 20% |
| 9 | At home in front of the fire | 16% |
| 10 | Whilst decorating the tree | 15% |
What makes Christmas proposals such a popular choice
Christmas and proposals have long gone hand in hand, and for good reason. To shed light on how to get a festive proposal just right, Pandora partnered with Hamish Shephard, founder of Bridebook to explain why this season can be the most magical time of year to pop the question and how to get it right.
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 – think Christmas light trails, ice skating rinks and even at home in front of a roaring fire next to the Christmas tree.
“Finally, a diamond ring is the ultimate Christmas gift! You’ll create a magical moment your partner will never forget by giving them a ring box on Christmas morning.”
The five do’s and don’t’s of a Christmas proposal
When it comes to planning a festive proposal, certain factors should be considered, according to Hamish, these are:
- 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.