Why do so Many People Get Engaged Over the Holidays?

The holidays are here, and for most people, that means happy family gatherings full of food and fun. But for others, this time of year is known as “engagement season.” In fact, The Atlantic reports: “According to WeddingWire, 33 percent of engagements happen between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.” 

That’s a lot of bending down on one knee, and a lot of commitment. Couples who have been to marriage therapy in places like North Ogden, Utah, know that a lifetime commitment is more than just saying “yes” at a holiday party. So why do so many people choose this time of year to propose, and is it a safe bet?

Rachel Weingarten, author of “Hello Gorgeous,” thinks it’s all about the happy atmosphere that comes with this season. “It makes sense. You gather with the family, you feel that much closer to the person you're dating, and now you have an announcement to make," said Weingarten in an article with ABC News. 

The Atlantic supports this theory as one possible reason for the high number of marriage proposals around the holidays. “…It’s the season’s cozy, twinkly atmosphere that prompts dramatic acts of romance.” If this were truly the main motivating factor, couples in North Ogden would need to be cautious. A moment of happy holiday bliss could turn into therapy years down the road.

Another possible theory is that with the end of the year comes Christmas bonuses and other incentives that make it a little easier to make that engagement ring purchase. Jewelers in North Ogden and across the country certainly get excited around this time of year. According to The Atlantic, “they make 36 percent of their yearly sales from October through December.”

Couples should be cautious with big expenses, however. Starting a marriage in debt just to afford a flashy proposal or lavish wedding could be a source of conflict later on that may need to be solved through therapy. 

“Other, more pragmatic explanations hold that, because proposals take a while to plan and pull off, a few extra vacation days come in handy,” reports The Atlantic.

Whether you’re living in North Ogden or on the other side of the country, make sure your holiday proposal plans are well thought out this year and not just a spur-of-the-moment whim. Marriage is meant to last forever. But if bumps in the road come, therapy is always an available option to help couples resolve issues.