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The festive season is a time for family, fun, and, unfortunately, some potential drama. For those in relationships, the holiday season can also be an awkward time.
Between the gift-giving, parties, and sudden influx of social media activity, you might find yourself wondering if your boyfriend is a little too busy for just the two of you. Could he be secretly planning to marry someone else? Well, let's dive into the signs, shall we?
Here’s your ultimate guide to spotting whether your boyfriend might be getting ready to put a ring on someone else’s finger this holiday season.
He’s suddenly all about 'family time' – But not yours
The holidays are, of course, a family affair. But if your boyfriend suddenly starts prioritising family events with a level of enthusiasm that’s almost excessive, it might be time to raise an eyebrow.
When he starts inviting you to his cousin’s pet hamster’s birthday party but avoids spending actual quality time with your side of the family, this could be a sign that he’s making moves elsewhere.
He’s suddenly 'too busy' to spend Christmas with you
If your boyfriend has been glued to your side for the rest of the year, yet now all of a sudden he’s "too busy" to spend Christmas with you, something might be up.
Especially if he insists on being with his friends or family and can’t even spare a few hours for you. It's one thing to have a busy schedule, but when he’s dodging quality time with you in favour of his 'other' plans, you might want to look closer.
He’s acting weird about gifts
Gift-giving is a major part of the holiday season. If he’s acting overly evasive about buying you a gift, or if his gift seems like a last-minute purchase (we’re talking a 5-minute stop at a petrol station), it might indicate that his attention is divided.
More concerning though, is if he’s gone above and beyond for someone else, buying them something that costs more than your combined Christmas presents from the past three years.
He’s being secretive about his phone
We all know the holiday season is full of group chats and shared pictures of ugly Christmas jumpers. But if your boyfriend suddenly starts getting extremely protective over his phone – turning it face down, password-protecting it even more vigorously than usual, or jumping out of the room to answer calls – it could be because he’s communicating with someone he doesn’t want you to know about.
He’s planning a surprise but won’t tell you what it is
Look, everyone loves a good surprise, especially around the holidays. But if your boyfriend keeps saying he’s “planning a surprise” for you, but he’s being annoyingly vague about it, there could be a hidden agenda.
If you’ve asked a few times what this surprise is, and all you’ve gotten are cryptic answers, such as 'you’ll see' or 'it’s a surprise for us both', chances are he’s planning to reveal something you won’t be happy about – like a ring on someone else’s finger.
He starts talking about marriage... But not with you
If he’s been dropping hints about 'the future' more than usual, and he’s bringing up marriage in casual conversation, but the conversation never really revolves around you, that’s a red flag.
'I wonder what marriage would be like…' – if it’s followed by silence, or if he quickly changes the subject when you try to talk about it, your suspicions might be right. If you’re not the one he’s imagining his future with, you’ve got every right to question the motives behind his marriage chatter.
He’s avoiding 'serious conversations' about your relationship
Christmas might be full of joyful moments, but it’s also the time for heart-to-hearts, reflection, and talking about what’s next. If your boyfriend is actively avoiding deep conversations about your relationship’s future, that’s a pretty big sign.
Maybe he doesn’t want to make promises he can’t keep, or perhaps he’s already made promises to someone else. Pay attention to how he avoids topics like “Where do you see us in 2025?” or “What’s your ideal future with me?”
He’s acting too good to be true
If he suddenly starts showering you with affection, becoming extra thoughtful, or acting in ways that feel too perfect, it could be because he’s compensating for his plans to disappear with someone else.
He could be trying to keep you distracted or butter you up before he disappears for good – so don’t be too flattered. Pay attention to the reasons behind the charm.
His friends start acting odd around you
Your boyfriend’s friends are often the first ones to know if he’s thinking of popping the question (especially if it involves a holiday proposal).
If they start acting strangely around you – avoiding eye contact, giving you uncomfortable smiles, or “accidentally” letting things slip about him “taking a big step soon” – it might be time to dig a little deeper.