Hands wearing wedding bands doing a pinky promise

November 12, 2019

How to Give a Promise Ring: Everything You Need to Know

Giving away, or accepting, a promise ring is a big step in your relationship. Though the meaning of a promise ring is flexible and can be unique to you as a couple, it will generally take the form of a long-term commitment to one another. Whether the ring is meant to precede a later engagement or to represent your enduring devotion, determining how to give your loved one the ring is the most important step after you choose the perfect one for your partner. If you are ready to take the next step in your relationship and give your girlfriend a physical symbol of your love and dedication but don’t know where to start, don’t fret! We have created a long list of cute ways to give a girl a promise ring that are sure to do the trick.  

How to Give Your Girl a Promise Ring 

If you have always wondered “What is a promise ring?”, we’re here to explain to you. A promise ring is a piece of jewelry that typically symbolizes that you are in a committed relationship and plan on marrying that person in the future. While a promise ring and an engagement ring may symbolize different stages in a relationship, they both are a piece of jewelry that represent your love as a couple. 

Choosing to give your partner a commitment ring is actually a momentous occasion. The ring can signify for both you and your partner the love you share, as well as the value of your relationship. Regardless of the unique purpose of your promise ring, celebrating the special occasion will bring you two even closer together. Here are some of our favorite ways to present the ring which you can choose to implement or just use them to brainstorm. 

The Scavenger Hunt

Creating a map and leading your loved one to the ring is a fun and creative way to make the presentation. You can personalize the route she takes by including locations that hold a special meaning for you as a couple or by providing clues that only she would be able to decipher. This will take careful thought and planning on your part but is sure to capture her attention and build excitement throughout the treasure hunt. It is best to send the map and clues through a friend or others she’ll meet along the way, this will allow you to surprise her with the ring at the end. As for the end, choose a scenic location such as a park or beach in order to create a romantic environment.

This gifting method is almost always a hit, just make sure the clues aren’t too hard and that she actually gets them. Otherwise, she might get frustrated and give up or unknowingly stand you up.

The Fake-Out

If your girl as a sense of humor, this can be a big hit. The idea is simple enough, just package the ring inside a misleading box and give it to her. Plus, it will keep her from guessing what it is the moment she sees the jewelry store packaging. There are a few ways you can execute on this one. For example, you could ask her to open a package or product for you which you have previously replaced with the ring. The fake-out works particularly well for regular gift-giving events as well, such as birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or winter holidays. Putting the ring inside the box of a gift she would be less than thrilled about would be a great way to surprise her. You could even put multiple boxes inside one another to build the suspense. 

This method is always good fun when it works out, but it has been known to backfire on occasion if you need to prod your girl into doing something for you or if she gets upset at the thought of you buying her a meaningless gift. So, be sure you have a good grasp on her sense of humor, or you might spark a fight without meaning to.  

The Wake-Up Call

Sometimes it is best to keep things sweet and simple. This is a romantic yet easy way to deliver the ring while she is completely unsuspecting. To pull it off, make sure you wake up before her and without waking her, which could pose a challenge if she is a light sleeper. Then cook her an extravagant breakfast. When you are ready to serve her, set the breakfast on a tray, using flowers to decorate it, and put the ring on a small covered plate off to the side. Having you prepare breakfast will probably be very exciting on its own, she will love that you went above and beyond to make her feel special. While she eats, you can sit back and wait to see her reaction when she finds the ring.

The Special Delivery

Having someone else deliver the ring will keep the element of surprise. You could get a friend, family member, or even a coworker to help you drop off the package containing the ring. You likely would not even need to tell them what it was, just that it was an important surprise, and most would be more than willing to get involved. For this surprise, however, it is important to include a note to be sure she knows who it is from. You wouldn’t want her to think her coworker was trying to tell her something. 

Similarly, if she has a pet or one that you share, you could get it to deliver the ring. Be sure it is obedient, however, and that the ring is safe while with the pet or it could be lost. If all goes well, imagine the surprise of her favorite friend greeting her at the door with a beautiful ring.

The Creative Outlet

If you are a musician or poet, use that to your advantage. Writing your loved one a special poem depicting the value of your relationship and how much she truly means to you is a romantic gesture. Simply read or sign your poem to her and present her with the ring afterward. She will feel so special and loved, it is sure to do the trick! 

If you are not so creatively gifted, however, try buying a book of poems instead. Carve out a little hole in some of the pages to house the ring and then give it to her. After she flicks through a few poems, she will be shocked to discover the ring tucked inside. 

The Foodie

Perhaps one of the oldest tricks in the book is to hide the ring in food. You can do this at home or at a restaurant with the waiter’s assistance. Simply slip the ring into something she is eating or drinking and wait for her to discover it. This can be made even more meaningful if it is one of her favorite dishes or something that is important in your relationship. For example, going back to the restaurant you went to on your first date and ordering the same dessert or even wine. Though it is rare, this could be a slightly risky method that may result in the ring being lost or swallowed before it is found. 

The Classic

Giving your girl some flowers is one of the most classic romantic gestures, and it has been done thousands of times, but for a good reason. It works! A bouquet of flowers is a great way to express your love and show your partner that you were thinking of her and enjoy your committed relationship. Whether you choose red roses or her favorite flower, you can present the ring in a variety of ways. For example, you could choose to tuck the ring into the flowers for her to find, slip it in the card, or hand her the flowers before presenting her the ring on your own. The choice is yours! 

Though these are some great options for how to give a girl a promise ring, it is really up to you to choose a way that will be meaningful to both of you. The more personalized and custom to your relationship you can make the presentation of the ring, the better! It will show her just how much you value your relationship and her, making her feel all sorts of positive emotions. 

If your promise ring is intended to represent a pre-engagement, however, you should consider what your plan is for a proposal. Often, an engagement should be more extravagant than presenting a promise ring. This goes not only for how the rings are given but in the design and style as well. Don’t know what promise rings are supposed to look like? Well, they can really range in style, but you are going to want to make sure it does not overshadow your future engagement ringThough a promise ring represents a significant pledge to each other, an engagement is widely considered to be a more substantial step forward in a relationship. So, if that is your eventual plan, be sure to present the promise ring in a way that will not overstep the following engagement proposal. 

After the Presentation

If all goes well, your girl will accept your promise ring and your relationship will move forward. When it comes to wearing the ring, the placement is entirely up to the individual wearing it. Traditionally, most people choose to wear a promise ring on the right ring finger, but others may choose to wear it on any other finger or even as a necklace pendant or bracelet charm. There are no rules dictating how the ring needs to be worn.

After the presentation of the ring, it is up to you and your partner to decide the next steps for yourselves. Some couples are happy to continue with this vow between them, while others may decide to get engaged later to really lock in their committed relationship and take it to the next level. There are no next steps or requirements when it comes to a promise ring. 

Unfortunately, there are some cases that may not have a happy ending. If your partner declined your promise ring, you might be able to return it to the vendor you purchased it from to get your money back. If, however, she accepts the ring, but you later decide to part ways, it is less clear what is to be done. Depending on the nature of the breakup, your partner may choose not to return the ring, which is her right as it was a gift. Though the ring is meant to represent a long-term commitment, it is not a guarantee, and so, it is best to be prepared to handle this outcome. 

Making the decision to present your partner with a promise ring can be intimidating, but with the right planning and preparation, you can surprise her while showing her how much she means to you. Seeing your feelings on display like this is sure to make her swoon, and if she feels the same, she will be happy to accept. 

To find out where to buy a promise ring that best suits your partner’s tastes, visit our website or talk to one of our helpful representatives. Modern Gents offers a beautiful selection of affordable rings in a variety of different styles. Find the perfect gift for your special someone by checking out our extensive collection of commitment rings today.

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