Thanksgiving is that time in the year when you not only gather with friends and family for a delicious meal, but you get to pause and reflect on all the things that make you grateful. What better time to propose than then since your partner is sure to be somewhere near the top of that list! Thanksgiving is also the official kickoff for engagement season and we can see why: already surrounded by the people you love the most, a cozy autumnal backdrop, with less attention on gift-giving and more focus on being together. A Thanksgiving proposal sounds like the perfect recipe for a sweet engagement. Here are a few tips we’ve compiled to make sure this Thanksgiving’s proposal ends up on next Thanksgiving’s gratitude list.

Make Your Proposal Personal

As with most holiday seasons proposals, proposing on turkey day comes with its own unique layer of considerations. As with anything else, it’s best to consider the wants of your partner. You’ve probably chosen Thanksgiving because the added benefit of all your loved ones being in the same place at the same time, but consider how involved you want those people to be. Do you want the proposal to be a surprise for all or just your future spouse? Do you have something planned, like a scavenger hunt or pre-dinner toast, that may require the assistance of someone else to pull it off? Consider your audience, and how your spouse-to-be will feel about who surrounds them as they are asked one of the biggest questions of their lives. Some people will jump up and down at the idea of being proposed to on the Jumbotron at a football game; for others, the lower-key hum of activity at a pumpkin patch is more than enough.

Timing is Everything

Some couples love to run a “5k before the feast” on the big day. Consider if your partner would love to be asked for their hand as they cross the finish line; take into account how you will pull this off if you, too, are running the race. You could always utilize the time after the meal, when most families go around the table and say what they are thankful for as your opportunity to get on one knee and ask the big question. In all these scenarios, time management is the key ingredient. You want to consider the flow of the day and how you can seamlessly weave your proposal in.

Expanding Beyond Thanksgiving Day

Don’t box yourself in by thinking you can only propose on Thanksgiving Thursday. Many couples find themselves back and forth between family dinners and Friendsgiving functions on that day. You could always save your moment for Black Friday when the two of you take an autumn hike or when you’re heading to the Christmas tree farm to choose a tree. Don’t shy away from seeking a professional to help. If you and your partner are into Thanksgiving football, proposing on the big screen may be the perfect proposal. Remember that most stadiums will allow this for a fee, so, just know you have a little work on the back-end before diving in. If you want to have a photographer on the hand to capture the moment they say yes, remember that it’s a holiday for everyone else and they may be difficult to procure. Consider if you’re traveling how you plan to conceal the rings and any other boxes, outfits, etc. you may be bringing along to celebrate the day.

Embrace the Unexpected Surprises