Top Five Unique Proposal Ideas

Popping the question is a time-honored tradition that many have made into an opportunity to be remembered. When I decided to ask my girlfriend to marry me, I planned to take her by surprise. We got engaged on Christmas Eve during a busy day with a lot of commotion. It was that commotion that I counted on so that I could completely amaze and end up looking clever. I chose gift wrapping time on that day to pop the question because she was always a procrastinator. I knew that she would be in a hurry and flustered if I kept her busy all day long and it was down to the wire on getting all the gifts wrapped on time.

She had no idea what I had planned. We started a gift assembly line where I'd hand her the gift for family or friends and she'd quickly get it wrapped and toss it into the basket. Gift after gift was wrapped this way. Then, I found my opportunity between her mom's Time Life Christmas CD and the peanuts for her uncle. I tossed the ring box in front of her and while she changed gears to figure out who the box was for, I was already down on one knee. Here are five great unique ways to pop the question.

The Sweet Method: At Mymms.com, you can get personalized M&Ms candy that will say whatever you like. For this method, order the candy with the message "Marry Me?", buy a crystal bowl, and conceal the engagement ring box down in the bowl. Offer her a bite of candy and let her know the M&Ms personalizes the candy now. It is sure to surprise her. Just be ready to pop the question as soon as she figures out what the candy says.

Undersea Treasure: If you have a fish tank, conceal the engagement ring in an animated treasure box and let her know you bought something new for the aquarium. Imagine her surprise when she looks into the tank and sees something sparkly glittering inside the box. Just be sure that you clean the tank first and choose a treasure chest that is stationary in the gravel with open and closing action. In addition, tanks with aggressive species are not recommended. For the safety of the fish, be sure to rinse the ring thoroughly before introducing it to the tank, as occasionally cleaning residue can still be on the jewelry after purchase. Pop the question when she sees it.

Day Off Texter: Take a day off but pretend to go to work. Text her normally like you would through the day, but include special sentiment about how you feel about one another and what she means to you. Text for her to answer the door, and while she's heading to the door, pop her the question over the mobile device with a picture of the ring in the message. Be sure to be at the door on one knee ready to pop the question in person!

Fantasy Focus: Find out what her ultimate fantasy or favorite dreamboat was. If it's Prince Charming, James Bond, a cowboy, or even a super hero be ready to start combing the world for a costume. Hire a calligrapher to write out a single page poster-style story. It should go somewhat like: "Once upon a time, there was a guy named _____ who was lonely. One day, he met a girl named ______" etc. The end should read, "And then, he asked her to marry him . . ." Post the story in a place she will see it and read it out loud. Be sure to videotape it and monitor her reading it from another room. In this case, having an accomplice is recommended. By the time she has almost finished reading and is getting down to the "And then, he asked her to marry him" part, be ready in costume to come out and get on one knee.

Bait and Switch: Take her out on a romantic date. Pretend that this is going to be "it". Buy champagne. Tell her that you have something to ask her. Then, ask her something unrelated when the time is right. Give her a small box, but have it contain earrings. She will be confused. Wait until you get her home, and then pop the question for real.

However you choose to pop the question, best of luck. May this be the beginning of a beautiful and wonderful life together.