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5 Signs of an Imminent Proposal... or Break Up?


Alison Hargreaves Guides for Brides Bio
Alison Hargreaves Updated:
21st of December 2023

Christmas is the season for magic - and proposals!  Is your partner acting strange? A recent survey found that Men's odd behaviour before proposing actually led 66% of women to suspect an imminent break up and only 12% to suspect a proposal!  So, if your man is acting strange this season, he might be preparing to make your Christmas extra special with an engagement ring.

75% of women in the survey noticed that their partner was acting strangely in the lead up to the proposal - "being secretive" and "seeming stressed or distant" were common behaviours that can be signs that he will propose.

Womans hand wearing engagement ring

66% of women mistook their now-fiancé's odd behaviour as heading for a break-up, and 8% even thought that their partner was having an affair. So ladies - if he's acting strange, don't assume the worst.

If you're familiar with the following behaviours this Christmas, keep calm and don't assume an impending break up or infidelity, as they could be engagement signs!

  1. Being secretive e.g. changing passwords, locking devices etc.
  2. Getting unusually emotional
  3. Seeming stressed or distant
  4. Being quiet or thoughtful
  5. Being unusually argumentative

The survey was conducted by a gifting company, www.gonedigging.co.uk.

Alison Hargreaves Guides for Brides Bio

About the author


Alison Hargreaves

Alison has been advising brides, grooms and bridesmaids for more than 25 years. She has an unrivalled knowledge of the British wedding industry and frequently appears on podcasts and expert panels. She regularly attends international wedding conferences to keep the UK at the forefront of wedding planning trends.

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