Whether you have a love or hate relationship with the cold, the splendor of the holiday season is a wonderful backdrop for that perfect holiday proposal. For many reasons, winter is the most popular season for engagements.

As the days grow colder and shorter, engagement rings start to creep into your social media feed. With the magic of Christmas and New Year’s and the romance of Valentine’s Day, it’s no wonder the winter months are so popular for proposals. While it may feel cliche to some, there are many opportunities to make your proposal more memorable this holiday season. Are you trying to plan the perfect holiday proposal?

Here’s a list of 10 ideas to inspire you!

1. Craft Your Own Winter Wonderland for Two

Whether your significant other loves hot chocolate, winter attire, or an excuse to be outside, crafting your own winter wonderland is a romantic surprise. Create your own “holiday market” in your backyard or a neighborhood park. It’s simpler than you might think! 

All it takes to start is a few strings of twinkle lights, a hot beverage, and maybe a little bit of fake snow. With the right ingredients, you can have a perfect and magical moment just for the two of you. 

2. Cozy Up for a Proposal 

While it takes a bit longer for those colder temperatures to hit Houston, they have a way of bringing couples closer together. A cozy, romantic night with your partner is a great way to spend the evening – and perhaps even the setting for the perfect holiday proposal. 

Make a batch of warm drinks, such as mulled wine or hot chocolate, and feel yourselves slip into that ultimate coziness before you pop the question!

If you want to lean into the cute side of cozy, consider a specially made gift. It might sound a little goofy, but serving your significant other a warm beverage in a mug that says “will you marry me” will put a smile on their face. 

3. Hit the Slopes for an Out-of-Town Proposal

Whether you’re veterans of the slopes or stumbling down them, a ski trip can provide you with a beautiful backdrop for your proposal. Although, it’s important to remember to unstrap your skis before you try to get down on one knee. Still, a freshly dusted mountain with a lovely forest is a majestic scene to pop the question. 

If you’re more of a private couple, consider popping the question on the ski lift – privacy with a view! 

4. Pop the Question Christmas Morning

Do you want to make your holiday proposal even more memorable? Lucky for you, Christmas morning is already brimming with magic. So lean into it and build up to your proposal as you spend your morning opening gifts. 

Alternatively, you might plan to spend it surrounded by friends and family to draw them into the magic. Proposing in front of a Christmas tree is a true classic – and for good reason. It allows you to hide your engagement ring in a present, stocking, or even an ornament. 

All of these options are perfect ways to make a special moment all the more memorable. 

5. The Skating Rink Proposal

Any excuse to hold hands is a good one. Ice skating is a perfect symbol of a relationship. If someone falls, you’re there to help them back up and vice versa. 

Moreover, Houston has excellent ice skating rinks at Discovery Green and the Galleria. 

If you both have experience, try to reserve a rink just for the two of you to glide around gracefully. For those who are less than graceful on the ice, it’s a great way to seem adorably clumsy. 

Why not add to the magic with a more purposeful stumble? 

As the rink begins to clear, drop down to one knee. While your significant other reaches down to help you, you can pull out the ring for a special surprise. 

6. Warm Up With a Destination Proposal

While winter is a beautiful season for proposals, the cold is not for everyone. So if you and your partner prefer warmer climates, why not head somewhere that’s less of a winter wonderland? 

Take a trip to a sunny, tropical climate for a destination proposal that will melt the cold away. 

7. Propose With a Little Help from a Surprise Family Visit

The winter season comes with a host of opportunities for visits from family. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, you have plenty of options to organize a surprise visit. This is especially helpful for couples who find themselves splitting their time between families. 

One way to plot this is to pretend you’re heading to spend time with your family but show up at your significant other’s family gathering instead with a ring. 

If you have a bit of improv or acting experience, you can really ham it up with a tearful goodbye to make it all the more surprising. This is a wonderful way to involve the family in a proposal – just make sure that’s something your partner wants. 

8. Create the Illusion of Winter

In Houston, we can’t really count on snow to make our “winter wonderlands” for us. However, you don’t have to let the Gulf Coast climate stand between you and your perfect holiday proposal. Why not create your own version of winter? 

This is especially great if you have a significant other from the north who misses winters but can’t make the trip. With the right set pieces, you can craft a wintery illusion to make them feel a little more at home. 

Cascade white lights down from above and cover the ground billowing white fabrics. Alternatively, rent a snow machine to bring in a winter storm of your own. 

9. Head to the Mountains for a Picturesque Proposal

Mountain ranges are widely known for snowy scenes and stunning views. Whether you want to ski or simply travel to see the snow, surround yourself with the beauty of nature. When you’re ready to pop the question, there’s nothing better than a short hike with a beautiful view. 

10. New Year, New Stage of Your Relationship

If any proposal is more of a classic than the Christmas proposal, it has to be New Year’s Eve. Often, everything is set up already, and the holiday is the perfect reason to go out for a special evening with your significant other. 

With celebrations and champagne, what more could you ask for? 

If you time it just right, you have yourself the perfect holiday proposal – surrounded by the revelry that sets the stage. Propose as the clock strikes midnight and pop back into the party in a new stage of life! 

From fireworks and fancy clothes to champagne with loved ones, NYE has just about everything you need for the perfect proposal. 

The Perfect Holiday Proposal Starts with the Perfect Ring

No matter how you decide to pop the question, it all starts with a ring that captures the love you feel for your partner. Whether you already have the perfect ring in mind or need lots of design help from our friendly engagement experts, Sethi’s Fine Jewelry is your best resource in Greater Houston!

Please visit our showroom located at 2221 S. Voss Road, between Westheimer and San Felipe, or call 713-789-3359 to schedule a complimentary private consultation with owner Nitish Sethi.  At Sethi’s, we’re a family business built on family treatment.  Make this holiday season truly special for your current and future family with a spectacular engagement proposal!