Proposing at Christmas or New Year's? When to Start Your Engagement Ring
By Clint Casmiro, Co-Founder, Smiro Studio, Toronto · Updated October 11, 2026
Short answer: As of October 11, a custom ring started today lands around late December to early January. We quote 10 to 12 weeks, which puts it between December 20 and January 3, so we cannot promise it for Christmas. For a Christmas proposal, a Made To Order Ring is the safe route: it takes about 8 weeks, so start by the end of October.
If a holiday proposal is the plan, here is the honest math as of October 11.
How long does a custom engagement ring take?
About 11 weeks from deposit to your door. Roughly 3 weeks of design (the CAD file, then a 360 render you approve), about 6 weeks at the bench, and about 2 weeks of insured shipping. Diamond sourcing runs alongside the design.
We quote 10 to 12 weeks because a hard to find stone, a design round you did not plan on, or heavy hand engraving can each add time. The full breakdown is in our timeline guide.
Where does a ring started now land?
| Start date | Made To Order (about 8 weeks) | Custom (10 to 12 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| October 11 (today) | Around December 6 | December 20 to January 3 |
| October 18 | Around December 13 | December 27 to January 10 |
| October 25 | Around December 20 | January 3 to January 17 |
| November 1 | Around December 27 | January 10 to January 24 |
These dates are for the ring arriving at your door, and they are estimates, not promises. Carriers get busy in December, so leave a few days of buffer on top. If you go custom now, come to the call with a photo, a budget, or both, so the design stage does not drag.
What slows a ring down?
- The diamond. A standard lab grown oval is quick to source. A custom cut, a bowtie-free oval or a Portuguese cut can take longer to find.
- Design rounds. Most rings take 2 to 3. Each extra round adds about a week.
- Hand work. Full band hand engraving adds bench time.
- Shipping in December. Carriers get busy before the holidays, so do not plan on the ring arriving the day before.
What are my options for Christmas?
Two honest options. Our Made To Order Rings skip the design rounds and take about 8 weeks. Counting back from December 24, that means starting by about October 29, and sooner leaves room for holiday shipping. You still pick the diamond and metal.
Or start a custom ring now and move the date a little. A custom ring started today lands around late December to early January, so plan the proposal for New Year's or January. A proposal in January with the ring you actually wanted beats a rushed one in December.
Why not rush it?
Because the design stage is where the ring gets good. Rushing it means approving a render you are not sure about. Starting early costs nothing and leaves room to change your mind.
Planning a holiday proposal? Let's lock in your timeline.
A free 20 minute video call with Clint or Karina. Bring a photo, a budget, or nothing at all.
Book a free callSee our processQuestions we get about this
When should I order an engagement ring for a Christmas proposal?
For a custom ring, the safe start has passed. Started on October 11, it lands between December 20 and January 3, so we cannot promise Christmas. A Made To Order Ring takes about 8 weeks, so starting by late October still works.
How long does a custom engagement ring take to make?
About 11 weeks from deposit to delivery: around 3 weeks of design, 6 weeks at the bench and 2 weeks of shipping.
Can I get a custom ring in time for New Year's Eve?
Maybe, with no guarantee. A custom ring started on October 11 lands between December 20 and January 3, and carriers slow down over the holidays. A Made To Order Ring, at about 8 weeks, is the safer route.
What if the ring will not be ready in time?
Choose a Made To Order Ring, which takes about 8 weeks, or push the proposal into the new year and keep the custom design.
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