There’s a very good reason your social feeds fill up with sparkling rings this time of the year. Welcome to Engagement Season — the stretch from late November through mid-February when nearly half of all marriage proposals take place.
According to The Knot’s 2025 Real Weddings Study, about 47% of couples get engaged between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day, making it the most popular proposal window of the year. December remains the standout month, with Christmas Day consistently ranking as the most popular day to pop the question, followed closely by Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and Valentine’s Day.
So why does this time of year inspire so many proposals? Romance is built right in. The holidays bring cozy settings, twinkling lights, and time off from work—plus family gatherings that make celebrating an engagement feel instantly meaningful. There’s also the emotional pull of fresh starts. For many couples, the New Year represents a natural moment to commit to the future and turn a relationship milestone into a lifelong promise.
Engagement Season also offers practical advantages. Proposing during the winter gives couples plenty of runway to plan weddings for peak seasons, such as late-spring through early-fall. It’s no coincidence that jewelers, planners and venues all see a surge in inquiries starting in December and January.
Once the “yes” is official, rings take center stage — and almost everyone is participating. The Knot reports that 94% of couples exchange at least one engagement ring. Among LGBTQIA+ couples, ring exchange is also common, with 65% exchanging one ring and 29% exchanging two, compared with just 5% of heterosexual couples opting for two rings.
Today’s engagement rings reflect evolving tastes. Four shapes now account for nearly three-quarters of all designs: round (28%), oval (25%), emerald (10%) and princess (10%). Notably, oval cuts have nearly caught up with the once-dominant round brilliant, signaling a shift toward slightly more distinctive silhouettes.
In terms of settings, a newer favorite has emerged: the hidden halo, featured in 18% of engagement rings, surpassing the classic halo style. Traditional prong-set solitaires still reign supreme, appearing in 35% of designs.
According to The Knot, the average engagement now lasts about 15 months, giving couples time to savor the moment before wedding planning hits full swing.
With an estimated 2.8 million couples getting engaged each year in the U.S., it’s clear why Engagement Season has become a cherished — and glittering — tradition. Between the romance, the symbolism and the sparkle, it’s no wonder so many couples choose this time of year to ask the biggest question of all.
Credit: Photo by BigStockPhoto.com.
