Most people only experience a marriage proposal once in their lifetimes, so you’ll want it to be memorable and perfect. After you’ve gotten up the nerve to ask, you might have trouble finding a creative way to pop the question. To help you out, here are 21 romantic and unique marriage proposal ideas that are sure to make a big impression.

1. Take your sweetheart to the exact place where you had your first date. Reminisce a little, and then say something like “We’ve had an amazing journey together so far, and now I think we’re ready to take the next step in that journey. I’m hoping you’ll do me the honor of marrying me.”
2. Christmas is a perfect time to propose. Hang the ring box like an ornament on the tree. When the last present has been opened, say, “wait, there’s still one more present.” Ask your intended to find it, or simply retrieve it and propose.
3. Another Christmas marriage proposal idea is to wrap the ring box inside successively bigger boxes so that your sweetheart will think the present is very large. As each layer is opened, the laughs will grow. Get down on one knee right as the last box is opened.
4. Give your sweetheart a sensual massage, and save the left hand for last. As you massage that hand, slip the ring on and be ready to pop the question.
5. Play a trivia game together. When it is your sweetheart’s turn, casually say “Your question is: Will you marry me?” rather than the question written on the card.
6. Scavenger hunts are always an entertaining marriage proposal idea. Start off with a simple clue to someplace nearby, then get more complicated as the scavenger hunt progresses, and have the final location be a place where you can hide and then pop out and get down on one knee.
7. Spell out the marriage proposal in some place they aren’t expecting to see it – perhaps using alphabet refrigerator magnets, writing it in lipstick on the bathroom mirror, using glow-in-the dark stars to write it on the bedroom ceiling, or getting up early and slipping a fake newspaper page into the real newspaper. li]
8. Create a path to the engagement ring. For example, scatter petals from the front door to the bedroom, and then use more petals to spell out “Will you marry me?” Alternatively, you could use candles to trace a path. (Obviously, be careful you don’t burn the house down!)
9. Place sweet notes in different spots around the house. In each spot, write something that you love about your sweetheart, and where to find the next note. In the last note say “For all these reasons and more, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
10. Write it on a jigsaw puzzle! Get a blank puzzle kit, like this one from Crane’s and write out your marriage proposal on it. Break it up and have her solve it. If she likes doing jigsaw puzzles, you could also opt for a more advanced puzzle.
11. Buy a box of chocolates for your sweetheart, and replace a chocolate with the ring. When she opens it up, get down on one knee to finish the job.
12. You could also hide the ring box in the carton of eggs. When she or he goes to make breakfast, be ready to drop to one knee.
13. Most movie theaters have repeating advertising slides before the previews that can be purchased. Write her name up in lights, and be sure to get to the theater early enough.
14. Get a street busker to sing “Will you marry me?” as you walk by. Ask “Do you hear what he’s singing?” Then drop to one knee and pop the question.
15. If your intended flies often, get friends and family to join you at the airport, where they’ll each hold up signs spelling out “Will you marry me?” as your sweetheart disembarks from the plane. Make sure you’re the one holding the “Me” sign!
16. Plan a surprise trip, using blindfolds and circuitous routes. When you get to your destination – hopefully a beautiful and secluded spot, pop the question. If you’re planning to stay overnight, don’t forget to pack a bag for your sweetheart!
17. Restaurants are often a very popular place to propose. Call beforehand, and get their advice on the best way to propose in their restaurant – perhaps the proposal is written out on a plate, or perhaps the waiter delivers the ring along with your entrees.
18. At the beach, tell him or her that you are going to draw a picture, but not to look yet because you want it to get it right. Write the marriage proposal in the sand, then bring them over to see what you’ve created.
19. Pack a romantic picnic, and put the ring in with the dessert. After a leisurely meal, ask your sweetheart to get out the dessert.
20. Skywriting is an old-fashioned and romantic way to propose. You can both have an intimate and private marriage proposal, while still proclaiming your love to the world. Another alternative – get a plane to fly a banner with “Will you marry me,___” over your town.
21. For a wintery marriage proposal when there’s snow on the ground, pack the snow into letters, or take a squeeze bottle filled with red colored water, and spell out “will you marry me?” in the snow.