When it comes to being proposed to most people would like it to be a very special event that they will always treasure in their hearts.

Whilst marriage proposals over a romantic dinner at an elegant restaurant can be very romantic they are not necessarily the most creative. Many people dream about the day that the person of their dreams proposes to them and hope that the day will be absolutely perfect in every way imaginable. One creative way to propose for a couple involved in a long distance relationship is to plan a surprise visit and set up a scavenger hunt. You could have a friend pick you up from the train station or airport so that your partner doesn't know that you are coming to visit and have the friend give your partner instructions for the scavenger hunt. You could then hide a number of small surprises on the scavenger hunt and then hide at the final location poised to propose when your partner completes the game.

If your partner is an outdoor enthusiast they might appreciate a proposal during a camping trip. It's a good idea to plan a quiet trip for just you and your partner at a picturesque or favourite location rather than with hordes of family or friends. Hide the ring in your sleeping bag to use in a surprise proposal. When it's time to go to sleep after a long day of hiking and fishing, you could complain that there must be a rock or something underneath you. Then with some extravagance pull out the ring and make your proposal. This creative proposal also contains the element of surprise as a camping trip is not generally when they might be expecting a proposal.

If your partner is a sports fan then proposing at a sporting event might suit you and your partner. For this proposal idea you could either arrange to have your proposal broadcast over the public address system or displayed on the large screen. If you are feeling really adventurous, then you could also contact the team's public relations department and try to make arrangements to make your proposal on the field at halftime. They might be willing to help you, especially if you are keen and regular fans to make your proposal on the pitch! One very creative proposal idea is to purchase a book of love poems. Leaving the first few pages intact you could then carve a heart into the remaining pages and sew the ring into the back of the book. You could suggest taking turns reading the poems on each page to each other ensuring that your partner turns the final complete page to reveal the heart and ring that were hidden inside. This proposal idea is not only creative but also incredibly romantic.

Having the DJ of your partner's favourite radio programme ask them if they will marry you is another creative proposal idea. You will want to make sure that you are aware of the exact time that the DJ will be sending your message so that you are able to ensure that you and your partner are actually listening to the programme and are together when he makes the announcement. You could also arrange to have the DJ play a song that has a special meaning for you as a couple.

Still another creative way to propose is to hide the ring in an unexpected location. For example you could pretend to have a clogged sink and while you are working to fix the clog, you could reach into the sink and pull out the engagement ring. When your partner is nearby, you could seize the opportunity to pull out the ring you had hidden earlier and say something to the effect of, 'No wonder the sink is clogged, I'll have to find another place to store this ring, how about your finger'? This whimsical proposal is both light-hearted and creative. It is bound to cause laughter as well as the traditional tears associated with such romantic occasions and we all know that laughter is one of the things that binds us together.

A variation on the traditional proposal at an elegant restaurant could be to have the waiter bring out the ring with the bill. You could have a little good natured fun with your partner by going out of your way to drop hints that you would be proposing over dinner. If you can keep up the act and play the game then they will be expecting your proposal with each course.

After dessert you could tell them that you have something very important to ask and as she eagerly awaits your proposal, you could ask an inconsequential question about something completely irrelevant to your relationship. They will probably be furious at this point but their anger won't last as the waiter arrives with the bill and the engagement ring and you let them know how much they mean to you. Do make sure that it is a restaurant that you know and trust! You don't want the waiter disappearing with your ring!

A great proposal doesn't have to be expensive or extravagant. Many partners are more likely to cherish the memories of a proposal that was inexpensive but truly creative. The creativity is what makes the proposal so memorable and what makes it a great story to tell their friends.