If you live with your significant other or have them come over frequently, hiding an engagement ring from them is no easy feat. Of course, no one wants to spoil the surprise, even if you are already in talks about marriage. But what if you share a closet with your future fiance? Or what if they like cleaning and may come across it in your hiding place?
You’ve already gone through the trouble of getting custom-designed engagement rings, so it shouldn’t be a problem to find a great hiding place for them. Here are some of the best ideas to hide the ring from your hopefully, future spouse:
1. Someone else’s house
If you live with your SO or don’t have a place in your house where they aren’t likely to rummage around, the best way to keep the ring hidden is by having someone else keep it in their house. This could be a close friend or a family member–anyone that you can trust to keep a secret and keep the ring safe.
2. Off-season clothes
It may seem like a great idea to hide the box in your sock or underwear drawer because your SO doesn’t ever go in there, but what if they want to borrow your socks or you ask them to fetch you a pair of underwear, forgetting that the ring is in there?
That said, if you’re going to hide the ring in your clothes, it’s best to use your off-season wardrobe. For instance, if it’s summer, hide the ring in the pocket of your winter coat. Or if it’s in the middle of fall, slip the ring in your beach trunks. Better yet, bury that article of clothing underneath all of your other clothes in case your SO suddenly wants to organize the closet.
3. A high shelf
Find a high shelf that your future fiance is unlikely to touch. Hiding the ring there will effectively keep it out of sight. Don’t forget to place the box in another inconspicuous box before storing it on the shelf; you can never be too sure that your SO won’t see it.
4. Among your equipment
If you have a hobby that your SO doesn’t touch, like woodworking or painting, it may be a great idea to hide the ring among your equipment. Just be sure to place it in an inconspicuous box or container, and keep the ring itself away from chemicals or moisture. Your future fiance likely won’t come looking around for something among your equipment, and since it is your hobby, they are more unlikely to touch anything out of respect.
5. In an obscure container
Not comfortable hiding the ring somewhere you can’t see? Your next best option is hiding it in plain sight. Use an obscure container that your SO is highly unlikely to open, such as a resealed mailing envelope with your name on it or one of these discrete boxes that don’t look anything like a traditional ring box. Still, it’s best to store your container somewhere safe, like your bedside table or the drawer of your desk.
6. Safety deposit box
If you don’t want to hide the ring in your house or at someone else’s house, you can store it in a safety deposit box at the bank for the time being. This way, you can keep the ring safe in case you experience a robbery or a house fire. A safety deposit box is also the best place to store other types of jewelry and valuables, such as family heirlooms and high-value pieces.
7. At your jeweler
When your ring is finally ready for pick-up, ask the jeweler if they can store it for you until the day of your proposal. They will likely charge a small fee for the storage, but it is one of the best ways to keep your ring safe and the proposal a secret, right next to using a safety deposit box.
When the big day finally comes, pick up the ring from the jeweler or have a trusted friend do it for you before going to the venue. You may even want the ring re-polished before the proposal, especially if it has been in storage for months.
To keep your proposal a surprise, use one or more of these tips to hide the ring from your future spouse effectively. But more than that, consider insuring the ring to have an extra level of protection in case it gets lost, damaged, or stolen. Moreover, be sure to check the ring from time to time to ensure that it is still in your hiding place and there is nothing around it that can cause damage.
