You've put in the time with your man - you're committed to one another and things are great. So where's your ring? Perhaps it's under the Christmas tree or waiting in a glass of champagne on New Year's Eve. If you're hoping that's the case, then there are a few ways you can ensure a holiday proposal. First, take a look at your relationship. If you're in your 20s, then perhaps your man feels he isn't where he needs to be in his career in order to start a life with you. "Men under 32 need a lot more time to propose," says April Beyer, CEO and Founder of the matchmaking firm Beyer & Co, which specializes in getting men ready for -- and to -- the altar. Look for the signs that he is committed to you and does someday want to get married - living together is an obvious one, but others include the verbal intention that he wants to marry you, loves you, and makes you feel valued and special. This way, an honest discussion of your relationship won't scare him or cause him to run for the hills. And yes - talking frankly about where you'd like to see the relationship go is a must.
You can drop all the hints you want, but some men just won't get it. Another idea is to talk to his friends if you like and trust them. If they're already engaged or married, then they can take some of the fear your guy might have about proposing away and let him know that you're more than ready for him to pop the question. Perhaps over a family dinner, you can prime your family (or his) to ask leading questions about when he might propose. Something like your mom saying, "Oooh, I hope you plan on giving [your name] a sparkly Christmas present!" might clue him in. If he asks what you want for Christmas, tell him. But never, ever give your man an ultimatum about proposing. He'll feel trapped if he's not quite there yet (but would've gotten there without the ultimatum sometime). Be pragmatic about your own timeline and establish it for yourself, not him. Perhaps your biological clock is ticking - if having children is important to you, then you have a good reason for feeling urgent about a proposal. Be prepared to stick to your guns, regardless.