Planning such a proposal can be intimidating. There's a lot of pressure when you propose in front of others, and then there's the question of exactly how to go about it.

The proposal can be as simple (is any proposal of marriage simple?) as pulling the ring out of your pocket and getting down on one knee, or it can be a precisely timed event, planned with the help of others and a surprise only to your fiancee-to-be.

Timing matters too. Do you have her open the ring box with the rest of her gifts, propose in the middle of dinner or gather everyone together at some other point?

If the ring is to be opened with her gifts, try placing it as the last of a series of boxes, each box having a single word or sentence, so she pieces together your proposal. This can be as simple as "Will you marry me?" (four boxes, plus ring box) or a deeper statement of your love.

Other good places are inside her stocking or in a large box filled with tissue paper (if she's patient and will laugh about it) or inside another present.

Want to get it done before everyone comes over? Buy her a special Christmas decoration for the tree, mantle or table and place the ring prominently on it. She will treasure that decoration forever.

During Christmas dinner, proposing as a way to kick off holiday toasts can be very romantic. It will certainly encourage a lot of toasting!

You can spell out your proposal on the roof with Christmas lights as well. You'll have the entire neighborhood talking! Some stores now sell lights that let you spell out your message on any large, smooth wall, such as a garage door. This has the advantage that the light should be easily changed, so you don't have to worry about getting set up at the last minute.

Do you play Santa at the family party? Make sure she knows what Santa wants... unless this would spoil things too much for smaller children in the family.

Will it be just the two of you for Christmas? Take her out for a special dinner, and make arrangements for the waiter to bring out the engagement ring on a tray. Ideally, the tray should be covered, and have the waiter tell her it's a special treat. Your proposal and the ring can be under the cover.

Write down memorable moments the two of you have shared, then give them to her throughout the day. Have the last one be something along the lines of "When I proposed marriage...," and have the ring ready.

Hopefully this article has given you some great ideas for how to propose at Christmas. Many of these ideas will work at other times of the year as well.