Leap Year...here are a few tips for making the perfect proposal!

If you are planning to propose to your fella this Monday follow these simple tips to ensure you get a ‘yes’.

The tradition of women proposing on leap day is thought to date back to 5th-century Ireland when St Bridget complained to St Patrick that women had to wait too long for suitors to propose.

He then gave women a single day in a leap year to pop the question – the last day of the shortest month.

Legend has it that Brigid then dropped to a knee and proposed to Patrick that instant, but he refused, kissing her on the cheek and offering a silk gown to soften the blow.

Others believe the tradition originates from Scotland when Queen Margaret, then aged just five, declared in 1288 that a woman could propose to any man she liked on February 29.

Anyway, whatever the reason remember to:

Pick your moment - Make sure you have 100% of his attention and the place is meaningful to both of you. Timing is also important, don’t bring it up when he is in a hurry or if his football team has just lost a match!

Get a gift - If your man is a fan of jewellery, propose to him with a male engagement ring (even a doughnut ring will do). If not then think of another gift he’ll like, say, a watch.

Know your man - If he likes the outdoors propose under a star filled sky or make the moment funny.

Be prepared - Be prepared for him to say ‘yes,’ ‘no’ or ‘I’ll think about it.’

Either way, it is good to have a response ready. Don’t make the question an ultimatum, it may take him by surprise and he might need time to think it over.

Don’t rush -If you’ve known each other for less than a year its probably not a good idea to bring up the idea of marriage even if it may mean waiting another four years for the opportunity!

Do something different - Take a hot-air balloon ride over your favourite place, mime ‘Will you marry’ me while scuba diving, do a sky dive and write ‘Will you marry me?’ on your parachute before jumping, go for a meal and have the chef write ‘Will you marry me?’ around the edge of his desert plate. Or place a news ad in your local paper for him to read - well that’s an idea!

What do you think...? Know anyone who’s planning to pop the question? Men are you worried? Let us know.