Just Engaged Over the Holidays? Your First-Week Checklist

December is widely reported as the most popular month to get engaged, so if a ring has just appeared on your finger, you are in good company. Before spreadsheets and venue tours take over, here is what to do in the first week.

1. Tell the right people first

Parents, siblings and closest friends deserve to hear it from you, not from social media. A quick round of calls or video calls before you post saves hurt feelings.

2. Check the fit

A ring should slide over the knuckle with slight resistance and not spin freely. Fingers are smaller in cold weather, so judge the fit at room temperature. If it is wrong, resize early: ours can be resized for free once within 30 days of delivery, by up to two sizes (some designs, such as full eternity bands, cannot be resized).

3. Insure it this week

Call your home or renter's insurer and ask about scheduling the ring, or get a specialist jewelry policy. Keep the receipt, grading report and photos in one folder, with a copy online.

4. Clean it before the photos

A newly worn ring picks up lotion and fingerprints fast. Soak it in warm water with a drop of dish soap, brush gently behind the stone and dry with a lint-free cloth. It will sparkle in every picture.

5. Take the photo

• Use natural daylight near a window, not overhead lights.
• Relax the hand and angle it slightly; avoid a clenched fist.
• Fresh manicure optional; clean ring essential.

6. Think about the wedding band, then pause

If the engagement ring has a low or unusual setting, check that a wedding band will sit next to it, and order early when the time comes. Then put the planning down for a few days. You only get to be newly engaged once.