‘Tis the season for showing your loved ones just how much they mean to you. If you’ve been searching for the perfect holiday gift for your special someone, a surprise Christmas proposal might be just the thing. Nothing makes the holiday season merry, like asking your sweetheart to marry you!
December is the most popular time of year for romantic proposals, but just because it’s been done before doesn’t mean you can’t do it differently. Asking someone to marry you is big, and you want to make it special. Think outside the box. Your proposal should be as unique as your relationship, and it’s all about the little details. Taking the time to plan and prepare is key, but you can’t get started without a cute proposal idea.
It can be challenging finding the best ways to propose, so here are ten perfect marriage proposal ideas for you to pop the question this Christmas.
Every relationship tells a story and the time you’ve shared with your partner is worth cherishing. Make sure your proposal is a moment to remember by having it documented in hand-drawn cards or a full storybook. With Tellinga, you can send your sweetheart a series of cards over the course of a week, two weeks, or a month building up to the big moment. If you’re looking for the perfect holiday gift as the foundation for your proposal, have a book written of your love story with the proposal as the ending. Every card shipped helps raise funds to fight Alzheimer's disease, support breast cancer research, or helps treat those impacted with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
After you’ve pulled off the perfect proposal, you can have the cards framed as an extra-special holiday gift. If children are in your future, they’ll love hearing the story of your love as well!
The holidays are filled with traditions, so why not start a new Christmas tradition this year with a romantic proposal? One of the best ways to propose is planning a fun-filled day to enjoy with your partner doing all of your favorite winter activities. Relive your childhood with an afternoon spent at the skating rink, or grab a saucer and sled down the biggest hill you can find. Warm up with a mug of hot cocoa before heading back outside to build a snowman or have a good old-fashioned snowball fight.
As you’re enjoying the day with your sweetheart, wait for the perfect moment to pop the question. When skating, pretend you’ve fallen down and when your partner tries to help you up, rise to one knee. Build a snowman and present them with the ring on the snowman’s carrot nose. There are endless opportunities for creativity to pull off a wedding proposal idea she’ll never forget.
A proposal is more than just a question – it’s a commitment. Asking someone to marry you is asking them to spend the rest of their life by your side, sharing the journey of life. When you pop the question, it’s important to find the right setting. Take your special someone to a meaningful location and start off by talking about the significance of the location and what it means for your relationship. Maybe it’s the place you first met or where you had your first date. Whatever the location may be, it’s all about what makes it special and meaningful to the two of you.
Though some like to keep their relationships private, others want to shout their love from the rooftops. If you’re looking for an over-the-top wedding proposal idea, why not ask for help? Nothing could be more special than accepting a proposal while surrounded by the people you love. It’s even better if you make it a surprise! Include friends and family in the plan but keep your special someone in the dark until the big moment. If you want to keep the moment intimate, have everyone hide until the moment they say “yes,” and then they’ll pop out and join the celebration.
With the ongoing pandemic, this has been a year unlike any other, and this holiday season may not look like years past. If you’re thinking about including friends and family in your Christmas proposal, be sure to do so safely. Choose an outdoor setting where you can social distance or set up a Zoom call where you and your new fiancée can celebrate virtually after the big moment. You may need to use a little extra creativity to make it all happen, but that’s been the hallmark of 2020.
The Christmas tree is a symbol of new life, so what better backdrop to start a new chapter in your life with your partner? Decorating the Christmas tree is the perfect holiday tradition to incorporate into your proposal, and it’s something you’ll be able to relive together each and every year.
Here are some of the best proposal ideas to consider:
Hang the ring directly on the tree with a fancy holiday ribbon
Purchase or make a custom ornament that says “Will You Marry Me?” on it
Hide the ring inside an ornament and ask your partner to hang it
String the ring onto some tinsel and have your partner help you hang it
If these ideas sound a little too cheesy for you, there’s one more that can’t go wrong. Once you’ve finished decorating the tree, stand back to admire your work and ask your partner to put the star on the very top of the tree. While their back is turned, get down on one knee and wait for the surprise.
There’s no rule that says a proposal needs to be a big, extravagant moment. If you and your partner like to keep things private, you may be planning an at-home proposal. What better way to make the moment feel special than to involve the furry friends in your life? Tie the ring to your pet’s collar or get them a special sweater knitted with the words, “Will You Merry Me?” When the moment is right, call your pet over to surprise your partner and pop the question right then and there.
Nothing is more romantic than a blanket of fresh snow lit by twinkling Christmas lights. Even if you’re not the biggest fan of the cold, no one can say no to a perfect winter picnic. Pack a basket of hot food, warm drinks, and plenty of blankets, then cuddle up for an intimate and unforgettable moment. If you want to get creative, hide the ring in the picnic basket and ask your partner to unpack it. Nestled in between the thermos of hot cocoa and the packages of food, they’ll find that iconic little box.
Not thrilled by the idea of an outdoor proposal? Take your picnic indoors and plan a feast in front of the fire. Cover the floor with pillows and blankets and make sure there are plenty of candles and Christmas lights. Settle in with your sweetie and wait for the perfect time to pop the question.
Spend the afternoon together hunting for the perfect Christmas tree. If you want to go big, plan ahead with solar lights or battery-powered candles and tuck a bottle of champagne into the snow to chill. Lead your love on a hunt through the trees until the moment feels right, then take them to the area you’ve prepared. If you don’t live near the woods, a tree farm could be an adorable alternative.
This cute proposal idea may take a little longer to come to fruition, but it will make the surprise that much more special at the end. Order or create a custom advent calendar for your love and fill each box with something special. Include some of your partner’s favorite treats and throw in a few little trinkets that represent special moments or inside jokes you’ve shared. You can open the day’s square each evening, turning it into something you look forward to doing together. When your partner opens that final square on Christmas, they’ll find a sparkly ring waiting for them.
If you’re not the crafty type, you can easily take a traditional advent calendar and make it your own. Simply remove the chocolate behind the 24th day and replace it with the ring.
The Elf on the Shelf is a tradition often geared toward children, but it could be one of the best proposal ideas for a couple who likes to get a little silly together. The idea behind Elf on the Shelf is that Santa sends elves into the homes of people suspected to be on the naughty list to report back to Santa on Christmas Eve. In completing his mission, the Elf tends to get into mischief overnight and can often be found in the morning in silly situations. Have fun coming up with new adventures for the Elf to get into each night in the weeks before Christmas, then have him help you pop the question Christmas morning.
If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to pop the question, the holiday season is just right. To make sure the moment is flawless down to the final detail, treat your partner to a manicure the day before the proposal. You may even want to treat yourself to a new haircut, a luxurious facial with anti-aging cream, or simply a relaxing day at the spa to help settle your nerves before the big day. You’ll both want to be looking and feeling your best for that special moment and for the photos that are sure to follow.
Try one of these fun and romantic Christmas marriage proposal ideas or combine a few to come up with something truly unique. Tellinga will create a happy ending to your memorable day. Tell us your story, and our illustrators will hand-draw your love storyboard for you to showcase and cherish forever. Your illustrated love story will become a special keepsake that you can treasure for the rest of your life. Who knows, you might just be ringing in the New Year with a new fiancé!
