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CHRISTMAS is fast approaching, and many people may be wondering if they will get asked that all-important question before the year is over.
According to jewellery experts, there are a number of subtle signs that your partner wants you to drop down on one knee.
Blake Asaad, founder of GOODSTONE, revealed six things to look out for which could indicate that they want you to pop the question this festive season.
Experts explained that traditionally the summer months and December are seen as the most popular times for someone to propose.
However, it can come at any time - and these tips could help prepare you when your partner starts to show signs that they're ready to take your relationship to the next stage.
Blake said: “When it comes to knowing if your partner is ready for a proposal, the little things really do matter. They might not directly tell you, but those subtle hints are often there.
"Maybe they’ve started casually talking about future plans together, or you’ve noticed them pausing a bit longer when looking at engagement rings in a magazine or while scrolling online.
"It’s those small moments—like sharing their thoughts on friends’ engagements or suddenly being more interested in wedding-related shows—that can be telling.
“When you do pick up on those clues, it’s important to take the time to figure out what makes your partner tick.
"Are they drawn to something classic like a solitaire, or is a more unique, vintage-inspired design catching their eye?
"Understanding their style means more than just buying a ring—it shows you’re paying attention to what makes them feel special.
"Ultimately, making the proposal personal and reflective of your relationship is what will make the moment unforgettable.”
The first sign that your partner could be ready for a proposal is if they are envisioning your lives together.
This could mean they are talking about your long-term plans, future home ideas, or even family aspirations.
Blake explains: "Talking about the future is a strong signal that your partner sees you in it.
"That could be their way of saying they’re ready to take the next step";.
Another subtle sign is if your partner can’t stop gushing over friends’ or celebrities' engagement stories or rings.
They may be imagining what their own proposal would look like by looking at what others have experienced.
Blake said: "When they point out rings they like, it’s a good idea to take notes.
"This can be a major hint not just about their readiness, but also about the style they’re hoping for.”
If they are becoming more and more interested in proposals, this may show on their social media feeds.
Keeping an eye on their Pinterest or saved Instagram posts might reveal a treasure trove of engagement ring designs.
Blake points out: "This is one of the clearest signs.
“Partners often curate a dream engagement board, filled with rings and styles they’d love.
"Paying attention to this can give you insight into their personal taste.”
SOCIAL media users have revealed what makes them cringe most when it comes to engagement announcements.
From cheesy captions to filthy fingernails it seems that some loved-up couples need to pay a little more attention to their happy declarations.
A study by jewellers also found that poor-quality photographs and post captions were big “no-nos” when it came to sharing engagement news on the web.
Shockingly, the research also found that 56 per cent of engagement social media posts in the UK were “unpopular” amongst followers.
Over a fifth of those asked claimed that “unpolished and tatty” fingernails were their biggest pet hate – and would put them off clicking the “like” button.
Cheesy captions were also an instant downer.
Lines deemed annoying by those asked included “I can’t wait to marry my best friend”, “how lucky am I?” and the Beyoncé-inspired “he put a ring on it”.
Other pet hates were food inspired backgrounds, bridal magazines in shot and the engagement ring snapped on the wrong hand.
However, the research wasn’t all doom and gloom when it came to happy couples. Those asked also revealed what they did like.
Social media “dos” included: creative captions, interesting backdrops, manicured nails, the happy couple in shot and use of the “Gingham” filter on Instagram.
If your partner is suddenly becoming more interested in wedding ceremonies than they used to be then they might be thinking about their own future wedding.
If your partner suddenly has a noticeable interest in the details of weddings you attend together, it could be a sign that they are ready for a proposal.
Blake shared: "When partners start to ask questions about venues, rings or the flow of the ceremony, they may be (not so) subtly hinting that they’re ready for their turn."
If your partner is suddenly showing a new interest in rings or specific jewellery styles then they could be trying to drop hints.
Talking to you about rings they like or ones they have seen in stores or online can be one of the most direct ways they communicate what they want.
Blake explains: “From classic solitaires to vintage-inspired designs, people often give clues about their dream ring long before the proposal.
“Picking up on these cues will make picking the right ring a lot easier.”
One way that your partner could be testing the waters about a potential proposal is by bringing up the topic in a casual conversation.
Mentioning it - especially with a playful tone - could be their way of testing your reaction.
Blake said: “Partners sometimes bring up the idea of proposals to gauge how ready you are.
“If this happens, it’s a great time to start thinking about how you’d make the moment as personal as possible.”
