If you are a big fan of the surprise gift and have decided to present your regular date with a friendship or commitment ring, then you need some idea of what size ring finger she or he has. It's not an easy measurement to take without them knowing it's almost on a par with buying great fitting lingerie without looking at the labels in her closest.
Before you embark on any of these techniques, make sure that your gift is not going to be (embarrassingly) mistaken for an engagement ring. You can do this in a number of ways:
simply by saying so before you hand the ring over
making sure that the ring is not overly ostentatious in budget or size
choosing relatively inexpensive stones
picking a design that is not a 'traditional engagement ring' (such as a solitaire diamond for example)
designs which reflect a personal hobby or shared interest are not commonly thought of as engagement rings and would make for lovely commitment rings.
So back to ring sizes....here's how you can hold of their ring size without them knowing:
Existing Ring When your partner's not around, raid her jewelry box and find a favorite ring make sure it's one that she has worn recently and take the measurements required by your jeweler.
Fake Shopping Trip Ask a good friend to take your partner shopping and include some costume jewelry shopping on the agenda. Your friend could suggest that this is to find a ring for her, but that it would be fun to try things on together. (Make sure the friend subtly picks up the ring that fits your partner's finger to bring back to you).
Family Fortunes Ask your partner's mother to newly discover a heirloom' ring (if necessary) and ask your partner to see if it fits or not. If it does fit, then perfect - you have your ring template. If not, your soon-to-be mother-in-law can ask them to try on other rings until they get the perfect fit. Don't try this one too close to your proposal or your partner may see it coming (from a mile off).
Sleeping Beauties You may have to set your alarm clock for this trick, but in the middle of the night (between 2 and 4am), most sleeping beauties are well and truly in the land of nod. Using all your stealth, quietly wrap some cotton around her finger and make sure you cut the length to the correct circumference.
First Aid This one's for the risk-taker and quick thinker, who just happens to have sticking plaster or tape to hand. As much as you don't want your partner to be hurt in the making of this measurement, if they happen to cut their ring finger over the course of your relationship leap into action. Offer to bandage her finger and in the ensuing kerfuffle make sure that you have cut a length of tape or plaster that is a little short it matches the circumference of her finger exactly but with no overlap. You may just have to take it off and try, try again