How To Propose to Your Girlfriend: Be Creative

Getting engaged is a big commitment. Before buying the rock and getting down on one knee, consider your options. You could take her to a fancy restaurant and propose quietly. Maybe you are more eccentric, and want a public proposal. Consider her personality also. Would she be comfortable with you making a scene of such an intimate moment? Perhaps you still want to propose creatively, but without anyone else around. There are plenty of proposal ideas here that will help you decide how to ask the woman you love to marry you. Either way, if you are ready to pop the question, take the time to figure out how you are going to do it.

Is your soon to be fiance a morning person? Does she sit and sip on coffee and read the local paper? If so, consider contacting the newspaper staff and putting and ad in the paper. Make sure the ad is big enough that she will see it. The extra space may cost you a little more, but you'll regret it if you see the newspaper in the trash and she hasn't yet mentioned your ad. Also, be sure to make it clear that YOU are proposing to HER. Add your name or her last name, so the ad is specific. Don't go breaking a stranger's heart who has the same name as your girlfriend.

If she's a commuter, a very public proposal option is to rent a billboard. Contact a local business who does billboards in your area. Be sure to ask about cost, the price of this option can be expensive.

Be prepared for her phone call early in the morning, on her way to work. You will want to know what you are going to say when you see her caller ID appear on your phone.

PS.. I had a friend that this happened to and her story was featured on our local news station. She said that it couldn't have been any more memorable. She saw it while they were driving down the interstate together, pulled over, and cried with joy. And yes, she did say yes.

• It doesn't mean your relationship is over
• DO NOT PROPOSE AGAIN WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR
• Assure her that you still want to be with her
• Don't let it kill your ego, she still loves you
• Give it some time before bringing the topic back to life

If you two are travelling in the near future, propose at 20,000 feet. Ask the flight attendant to use the loud speaker on plane. Perhaps you could come up with a short poem, song, or an old memory to share. Making an announcement this big will let her and all the strangers around you know just how special she is to you, and that you are ready to call her your wife. There's no way she can turn down this proposal, especially since she is stuck with you for the rest of the flight.

Some people are very social and enjoy sharing their intimate moments with the world. If that isn't you, you are still in luck. This proposal method is private and still romantic.

Is your girlfriend a photographer? Borrow her camera and make four posters, each with one word, WILL, YOU, MARRY, ME? Go to one of her favorite locations and put the posters up. Take pictures of each of the signs, in the right order of course. You can also bring a buddy and have him take pictures of you holding each sign. When you get home, ask her to upload the photos. Boom! Romantic and private in a unique and unforgettable way.

Portrait Puzzles allows you to design a puzzle with the picture of your choice, and as many pieces as you want. Get a good picture of both you and your girlfriend together and insert text saying "Will you marry me?" Have the puzzle made and put it together with each other one evening. To make it more public, invite some friends and have them help too. You might want to give them the heads up on the proposal. When it's all put together you can glue it and have it framed. It's a perfect memory that can be displayed with pride.

Make her think she's getting a large gift. Wrap that little ring box in a small appliance box, stuffing it with packing peanuts or newspaper. She will think she's getting a coffeemaker, but there's a bigger surprise.

You can also do this for her birthday, or if you celebrate Easter with plastic eggs, put the ring in a plastic egg and send her on an egg hunt. Just be sure that you know where the ring is and what egg it is in.