Is a Christmas proposal a good idea?
Mistletoe, wine, children singing Christian rhymes – and a surprise engagement ring to symbolism the rest of time?
The notion of a Christmas proposal is a room-divider; romantic in the eyes of some and a turn-off in those of others. If you’re mulling over whether to pop the question this festive period, we’re here to steer you in the right direction for you and your partner with an unbiased exploration of the pros and cons.
SYMBOLISM
Felicity, our antique Victorian horseshoe ring
At its core, Christmas is a holiday associated with love and sharing. For some, this sentiment serves as a romantic symbol of commitment to one another.
Defined by decoration and jollification, it’s also a celebratory time of year. For those who derive joy from the twinkling of lights and sequinned party get-ups, the Christmas context can lend an additional layer of meaning and magic to an already-special proposal. The festive period and all its sparkling symbols would become synonymous with this milestone in your relationship.
It’s worth taking this implication seriously, though; associating your special day so closely with Christmas is a long-term commitment. If you’re confident that your partner and you are staunch enough in your love of the holidays for this inextricable relationship to age gracefully, Christmas could be a fitting time for you to become engaged. However, if you foresee your relationship with Christmas evolving over the years and would prefer your engagement to take on an identity that doesn’t run parallel to that, we’d advise keeping the two occasions separate.
THE GATHERING OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY
A well-dressed gathering of vintage engagement rings
It’s not often in our busy adult lives that we find ourselves settled in one place with friends and family, pausing purely for the purpose of celebration. A festive proposal capitalises on this dynamic, with some of the most important people in your life already gathered to share the exciting moment with you. A ready-made engagement party!
That said, not everybody is on board with taking the leap in such a public forum. If you feel you and your partner are better suited to an intimate occasion, enabling you to hold your special news dear to the two of you in the first instance, planning a private proposal at a quieter time of year is a safer bet.
EXPECTATIONS AND UNDERSTANDING
Clara, our vintage emerald and diamond cluster engagement ring
If your partner is a person who has always adored Christmas – perhaps always dreamt of a Christmas proposal – there may be an unwritten expectation that you will pull out the stops at this time of year.
However, this proposal also belongs to you. It’s important to take your own feelings into consideration and not be steered into any event that doesn’t feel like a comfortable fit for you, too.
Equally, for those who find the holiday season particularly busy, stressful, or difficult to enjoy, cranking up the intensity by way of a Christmas proposal is probably not a good idea. If you know your partner is short on time or enthusiasm in December, do your special moment justice by holding off for a month of the year that would enable it to flourish with more breathing room.
TIMING
Ophelia, our vintage sapphire and diamond cluster engagement ring
For many small businesses, the run-up to Christmas is a busy period, subject to possible delays at the hands of holiday closures and high workloads. If you wish to commission an engagement ring to order, planning a festive proposal requires enough forethought for your unique jewel to be completed and delivered to you in time.
However, if you’re overcome by the last-minute urge to leave 2023 with a bang, our ready-to-wear vintage engagement rings are the perfect solution to your romantic hankering. Each one-of-a-kind, marked by intrigue and accompanied by its own unique certificate of authenticity, our exquisite pre-loved jewels are deliverable in as few as three working days. We’ll also offer one free resize any time within the first year of purchase.
Between now and Thursday 21st December, we’re available by appointment at Hatton Garden’s iconic London Diamond Bourse. To view our treasure chest of vintage finds and pick out a ring to take pride of place beneath the Christmas tree, get in touch today.
