bermyguy

I'm travelling to NYC with my girlfriend this Christmas and intend proposing to her. I'm trying to come up with a romantic and "New York" idea. I had considered a helicopter ride but I'm afraid that the weather may result in a cancellation and that would result in me proposing in MacD's!!! Would appreciate any ideas.

Thanks.

GoTravel

The Rainbow Grille at The Rainbow Room at the top of Rockefeller Center.

Or Top of the Rock (outdoor) at the top of Rockefeller Center.

The problem with the Empire State Building is that there are literally always wall to wall people up there. No privacy.

GoTravel

http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/

Don't skip the intro!

tcapp

Why not in front of the tree at Rockefeller Center or on a romantic carriage ride around Central Park?

bermyguy

GoTravel, liked both of those ideas.
Tcapp, thought of that but the idea of sitting in a carriage in 25 degrees put me off...am I wrong?

Would appreciate any more ideas!!

Thanks guys/gals

bermyguy

There must be more ideas out there!!! Anyone?????

TarheelsInNj

Hello! I was actually engaged on a carriage ride two Christmases ago, so I'm a bit biased But I thought it was very romantic, despite several factors (waiting in line for a while, a really slow horse, ugly carriage!). It's nice because while you're outside, you are allowed a bit of intimacy and privacy in your carriage.

The carriages provide a heavy blanket for you, so you can snuggle up. It's truly beautiful to see Central Park covered in snow, and you go by the Wollman Skating Rink, which is nice. In fact, this is where my husband popped the question- and it happened that "All I Want For Christmas Is You" was playing at the rink!

kireland

If she has no idea what is coming and you are planning on giving her a ring, why not stroll past the pretty windows at Tiffany's and ooh and aah at the sparkly baubles then drop to your knee and present her with one of her own?

Skating at Rockefeller Center in front of the big tree would also be incredibly romantic and memorable.

bermyguy

I have to say the carriage idea appealed to me from the start. As I said previously the weather was putting me off (coming from Bermuda that cold is going to hurt) BUT Tarheels, you have painted an amazing picture so now it's definitely an option again!!!
kireland, thanks for taking the time but she is "kind of" expecting it and under no cirucmstances am I to pick out the ring!!!

kireland

The only thing I would say about the carriage ride is this - I've been on one before and while the idea is romantic I was a bit put off by the conditions (or what I perceived to be the conditions) the horses are subject to, which killed the romance a little. You know your girlfriend so you will know if this type of thing would occur to her/bother her or not. If you do go on a carriage ride though I wouldn't worry about the temperature, just bundle up and they will provide you with blankets to cuddle under. I think you could also take a flask of something warming like schnapps or scotch (which might also provide some liquid courage if your nerves act up)!

bermyguy

Thanks kireland. Appreciate your views.

As an Irishman, I will most defintely be bringing some form of liquid "nourishment" should I go for the carriage ride!!

jp36

I got engaged last December in NYC - not Xmas but definitely Xmas time. I thought about many of the tried and true types of suggestions here, and even discussed it with the concierge at my hotel. I'm not really into too much formal planning for these kinds of things, and I ended up springing it on her in our hotel room before we went out for a very nice planned dinner. Then I broke out an old bottle of wine I'd been saving and had the roses I'd already bought sent up. It was a wonderful private moment and I wouldn't have changed a thing, however...

I wish I'd brought the ring with me earlier that evening when we were walking around town. There are so many fun NYC Xmas type things going on that I might have sprung it on her somewhere along the way - namely the park by the Public Library (spacing on the name) with the Xmas village and a quieter space park with their own pretty tree.

Good luck!

TarheelsInNj

jp36, that sounds like a wonderful proposal as well! New York can be so magical and romantic at Christmastime- but it can also be clogged with people every where you turn. I too "kind of" expected the proposal, and for half a second I thought he was going to pop the question at Rockefeller Center. While this would have been nice because of the tree and decorations, I much preferred the carriage because of the privacy it afforded us.

This completely depends on your girlfriend's personality, bermyguy, but for me, getting engaged with hundreds of people watching (and getting in the way) would NOT have been ideal.

I think jp also has a great suggestion, of carrying the ring with you. You can always plan the carriage ride (or whatever) regardless, but if the moment strikes you elsewhere, go for it!

Best of luck to you, and congratulations!

kureiff

What about a great breakfast with champagne and a proposal, followed by a day of engagement ring shopping in NYC?

bermyguy

Thanks for all the advice...Roll on December...and the next 50 years...oh dear, 50 years...

Only kidding, I'll give it a lash!!!

girlonthego

Definitely a carraige ride! My parents got engaged on a carraige ride and went to Bermuda on their honeymoon!! They are still married(and happy)and I think it is about 48 years!!!! So, good luck. NY is very romantic at Christmas time. I am sure the right moment will pop up. Before they took the carraige ride, they had champagne cocktails at the Tavern on the Green. I don't know if they have those drinks, but they have a beautiful restaurant. Food is mediocre and expensive, but having a drink there may be nice.

TarheelsInNj

Be sure to report back and let us know how it goes!

alya

bermyguy,

I don't jnow how you will be able to propose properly with out a jewelry box to hand over! My thoughts:

a) a really goofy, silly ring (I'm thinking pink and plastic ) that she can wear until she chooses her own.

b) a nice dress ring that she can wear on another finger - not ultra expensive.

c) a nice necklace or set of earrings.

My personal choice would be the goofy ring and I'd take every opportunity to flash it around and say "We just got engaged" - but that's my sense of humour.

Good luck, it sounds at least as though she won't turn you down

MarionCK

Since you are Irish ...what about St. Patrick's Cathedral ?

You'd be warm and there are so many beautiful, intimate alcoves within the Cathedral.

And you'd be close to both Rockefeller Plaza and the tree or the New York Palace Hotel for a wee bit of the bubbly to celebrate.

I admire romantic men !

Marion

PattiW

I would go for the carrige ride, totally romantic, and private. The tree is ALWAYS so crowded you'd be jostled about. Bryant Park by the library (5th Ave and 40th) is nice too. But they are installing a temporary ice rink there as well, so it may be more crowded this year. As a NYC'er for life, I'd like Central Park.