Christmas Engagement 2014: How To Shop For Wedding Rings, Propose Marriage, Take Holiday Engagement Photos And Other Romantic Tips

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and not just because Santa Claus is coming to town. For thousands of couples across the globe, the holiday season is also wedding engagement season. Jewelers are eagerly anticipating another year of high December sales for wedding and engagement rings, with the month being one of the more popular times for men to propose.

“Despite the tradition of going on bended knee on 14 February, we see far more sales of diamond rings during the festive season," Alice Rigby, a jewelery buying manager, told The Guardian. "Many customers, men in particular, get panicked the closer it gets to Christmas. The more under pressure they are to find the perfect present, the more cash they will spend – and what better surprise on Christmas morning than to open a box containing a beautiful sparkling rock.”

For future husbands looking to pop the question, the holiday season is ripe with opportunity. A ring can be tucked away under the tree to be opened on Christmas morning, used to stuff a Christmas stocking, or presented near a romantic, roaring fire with family members gathered around. The more ambitious can write "Will you marry me" in Christmas lights, or use specially crafted ornaments, according to wedding site The Knot. But before you plan every last detail, there are few things to consider first.

How to propose marriage on Christmas: You don't want to ask someone to marry you in front of all your relatives, including your snarky cousin Martha, only to get a "no." That's why it's always a good idea to have general conversations about marriage and commitment before asking someone for their hand in marriage, according to GQ magazine. It's also totally fine to ask your significant other what their ideal proposal looks like. You don't want to propose to someone in the middle of Times Square if they have been looking forward to getting engaged in Paris their whole life.

How to shop for wedding rings or engagement rings: Shop around. Just like any other special Christmas gift, you want your money to go as far as possible without actually having to go bankrupt in the process. Figure out what you want when it comes to cut, color, clarity and carat before heading to the mall. Shopping online can save you up to 80 percent off. The median cost of on an engagement ring is $3,500, according to WeddingWire's annual engagement survey.

How to take holiday engagement photos: Christmas is also a popular time for holiday engagement photos. Pinterest is a good place to gather ideas. Many couples opt for photos featuring holiday lights, Christmas presents and mistletoe to create a theme. You can also kiss two candy canes together to create a heart photo.

Show me the bling already. White gold is always a popular option. If a woman says no to this Cartier ring, she really does not love you. Rose gold could be a good choice for a woman who wants a ring that stands out. A heart-shaped diamond is another unique contender. Round diamonds are elegant and classic. Etsy.com has a number of affordable engagement rings for those looking to save some cash.