Ladies, take it from Beyoncé: if you like it, then you should put a ring on it. And now’s your chance! Custom has it that on the 29th February, the Leap Year day, it’s common for women to propose to men. That’s right; it’s time to flip the script on who gets to do the proposing. So, if you wanted to, you could propose to your man on 29th February 2024!
What is a Leap Year Proposal?
Every four years on a Leap Year, we get a sneaky extra day in February. And tradition says that on 29th February, women get the chance to switch roles and pop the big question to their fellas! This day is also known as Batchelor’s Day, Leap Day or Ladies Privilege. And it’s expected that 52% of women would propose on this day if they were already considering proposing to their man.
In fact, as many as 16% of married or engaged women were the ones who did the proposing. While it’s still more common for men to propose to women than the other way around, this shows that it’s becoming more accepted for women to propose. Of course, in this day and age, it’s more than fine for women to propose to men (or women) any day of the year, but it’s one of those gender traditions that many people still observe. And this special day adds a dash of fun when it comes to popping the question to your beloved man.
Which Famous Women Have Proposed to Their Men?
But if you’re bored of waiting for him to pop the question, why not be the one to get down on one knee? You’d be following in some very fine footsteps. Elizabeth Taylor, Kristen Bell, Pink, Britney, Queen Victoria and Zsa Zsa Gabor all proposed to their men. In fact, the Hungarian screen star Gabor allegedly proposed to all nine of her husbands! But before we dive into the excitement of proposing on this special day, let’s take a trip down memory lane.
The History of the Leap Year Proposal
The tradition of women proposing on leap years dates back centuries, with roots in Ireland in the 5th century. Legend has it that St Brigid of Ireland, a feisty lass if there ever was one, complained to St Patrick about women having to wait around for men to propose. So, St Patrick, in his infinite wisdom, decreed that every four years on leap day, women could take matters into their own hands and pop the question. And tradition was born!
In 1288, Queen Margaret of Scotland reigned and she was a firm believer in girl power (long before the Spice Girls made it cool). Legend has it that in 1288, Queen Margaret decided to shake things up a bit and passed a law decreeing that women could pop the question every 29th February. But here's the kicker: if a man dared to say no, he had to cough up a fine including a new gown, a pair of gloves or even a kiss! It’s also said that the woman who wanted to propose had to wear a red petticoat under her skirt to let people know her intentions.
Allegedly, Queen Margaret decided to make this bold move because she was fed up with women having to wait around for their suitors to make the first move. So, she decided to level the playing field and give the ladies a chance to take matters into their own hands. By the 19th century, this tradition was becoming more common place. And now we even have movies dedicated to it, such as 2010’s Leap Year, starring Matthew Goode and Amy Adams. Do you fancy taking advantage of this golden opportunity where women can propose to men?
Why Propose on a Leap Year?
Let’s break stereotypes! In a world where gender roles are constantly evolving, why should we stick to outdated traditions that say only men can propose? By getting down on one knee yourselves, you’re not just challenging societal norms but rewriting them! It's a bold statement that says love knows no bounds and anyone can take the lead when it comes to matters of the heart.
Female empowerment is also important. There's something incredibly empowering about taking control of your own destiny, especially when it comes to matters as important as love and marriage. By proposing to your man, you're showing him that you're confident, courageous and ready to take on the world together. It's a declaration of love, yes, but also of independence and self-assurance.
Proposing on a leap year isn't just about the act itself; it's about creating a moment that you'll both cherish forever. Imagine the look on your man's face when he realises what's happening; that mix of surprise, joy, and pure love. It's a memory that you'll both carry with you for the rest of your lives, a story to tell your children and grandchildren, and a reminder of the incredible bond you share.
At the end of the day, it’s all about love, isn’t it? Love is love, regardless of who does the proposing or how it happens. Whether you've been together for years or just a few blissful months, if you know in your heart that this is the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, then why wait? Life is short, my friends, and love is too precious to be put on hold.
How To Propose To Your Man This Leap Year
Although it might feel daunting, we’ve rounded up some classic proposal methods for inspiration and encouragement. From the subtle to the sublime, whether you want to take things off grid or shout about it to the world on social media.
The Grand Gesture
This one’s the biggie. Think skywriting. The caught-on-screen half-time game proposal. The serenade below the balcony… It’s public. It’s bold. And it takes a huge amount of effort and courage to pull off. It is the physical manifestation of wearing your heart on your sleeve. If you’ve got what it takes to put yourself out there, you’ll have a proposal story to last the ages. This is one where it helps to feel fairly certain you’ll get a yes!
The Low Key Approach
In direct contrast to the Grand Gesture, the Low Key Approach will appeal to no-fuss couples, where it’s the sentiment not the effort that counts. The most important thing here is timing. You have to pop the question at a seemingly mundane moment. It needs to elevate the ordinary. Maybe when you’re both brushing your teeth before bed or waiting for the next episode to stream while you binge-watch your favourite show. The more mundane the better! Kristen Bell simply tweeted her proposal to her husband.
The Surprise Proposal
There’ll probably be an element of surprise to all proposals, but in this approach the surprise is key. It includes things like proposing at the end of a treasure hunt, hiding the ring somewhere to be unexpectedly found, or roping in others to help you deliver the message. You can go big or small with this, but it works best if it relates to your future fiancé in some way. Do they like crossword puzzles? Perhaps you could write your own cryptic clue.
The Action-Packed Proposal
This will appeal to adrenaline-junkies and thrill-seekers. Your pulse should already be racing for maximum impact! Under this category you’ll find methods like holding up a proposal sign while skydiving out a plane, or drawing your question in the seabed while scuba diving off a tropical island. You’ve finally met your match, so lock it down girl.
The Scenic Proposal
This is the classic proposal approach. Find somewhere beautiful, get down on one knee and create a moment to treasure forever that’s set against a romantic backdrop. It could be that you’ve gone abroad somewhere idyllic. It could be during a trip to a secluded beach. Or perhaps you’ve literally climbed a mountain and you plan to propose at the peak. The more breath-taking the view, the better! As an added bonus you’ll have great pics to share with friends and family. #HeSaidYes!
Women Proposing to Men on 29th February
So, there you have it. Women proposing to men on the 29th of February can be a really fun idea. It's a chance to rewrite the rules, empower yourself, create lasting memories and, most importantly, declare your love to the world. So go ahead, seize the day and get ready to pop the question to your gorgeous guy! After all, in matters of the heart, there's no time like the present.
Once You’re Engaged, It’s Time to Plan the Hen Do
Massive congratulations if your lucky guy has said yes! We’re happy for you. And now, it’s time to plan the hen party. You’ve come to the right place. Fizzbox has loads of fun hen party ideas and activities to make your last weekend of freedom absolutely amazing, whatever you’re into, regardless of budget. Take a look now and see what tickles your fancy.
