20 Creative Homecoming Proposal Ideas to Win Hearts

June 19, 2025

By Josse White

As homecoming season approaches, many students look for unique and heartfelt ways to ask their special someone to the big dance. Whether you’re looking for something romantic, funny, or adventurous, these 20 creative homecoming proposal ideas are sure to help you win hearts and create lasting memories.

1. Balloon Surprise

Fill a room with balloons, each with a letter or word that spells out “Homecoming?” when put together. As your date enters, the message will be revealed in a fun and unexpected way.

Use balloons in their favorite colors or your school’s colors for a personal touch.
For an extra surprise, place small candies or confetti inside a few of the balloons.
Use helium balloons and tie the letters to the strings so they float at eye level.
Create a balloon pathway leading to a larger surprise, like a sign or you waiting with flowers.
Have a friend hiding nearby to secretly record their surprised reaction.

2. Personalized Puzzle

Create a custom puzzle that, when completed, spells out your homecoming proposal. You can make the puzzle yourself or order one online. Watching your date piece it together is a fun and interactive way to pop the question.

Use a favorite photo of the two of you as the puzzle image for a sentimental touch.
Choose a puzzle with a manageable number of pieces so it does not take too long to solve.
Work on the puzzle together as a fun date activity before the final reveal.
After they say yes, you can glue the puzzle together and frame it as a keepsake.
Hold on to the very last piece and hand it to them to complete the message.

3. Scavenger Hunt

Organize a scavenger hunt with clues leading your date to various places around school or your neighborhood. At each stop, leave a small gift or note that brings them closer to the big reveal at the end: your homecoming proposal.

Choose locations that are meaningful to your relationship, like where you first met.
Involve mutual friends at each clue stop to make it a group effort.
Write the clues as rhymes or riddles to make the hunt more challenging and fun.
The final location should be a romantic or special spot for the big question.
Capture a photo at each stop to create a memory book of the entire proposal.

4. Drive-In Movie Proposal

Arrange a drive-in movie night or set up an outdoor projector. Before the movie starts, display a special message on the screen asking your date to homecoming. It’s a romantic and memorable way to pop the question.

Create a short, custom “movie trailer” featuring pictures of you two that ends with the proposal.
Bring all of their favorite movie snacks and drinks to make it extra special.
Set up a cozy viewing area with plenty of blankets, pillows, and maybe even some string lights.
Have a romantic playlist ready to play after they say yes.
Make sure the message on the screen is large, clear, and easy to read in the dark.

5. Banner Surprise

Create a huge, eye-catching banner with your homecoming proposal on it and hang it somewhere your date will see it, like on the football field or outside their house. The element of surprise will make this proposal unforgettable.

Use bright colors, glitter, and creative lettering to make the banner stand out.
Incorporate a clever pun or inside joke that only they would understand.
Get a group of friends to help you hold up or unfurl the banner at the perfect moment.
Pick a location they pass by every day, like their route to school or their favorite spot.
Be there when they see it so you can witness their reaction firsthand.

6. Marquee Sign Proposal

If your school has a marquee sign outside, work with a friend to have your homecoming proposal displayed there. Imagine your date’s reaction when they see their name followed by “Will you go to Homecoming with me?”

Always get permission from school administration before planning this proposal.
Coordinate the timing so you can be sure your date will see the sign.
Have a bouquet of flowers or a small gift ready to give them right after they read it.
Stand nearby, but out of sight, to surprise them after they spot the message.
Take a picture of them standing in front of the marquee sign to capture the memory.

7. Flower Pathway

Lay out a trail of flowers leading to a spot where you will be waiting with a sign or a simple “Homecoming?” This romantic gesture will sweep your date off their feet as they follow the path you’ve created.

Use petals from their favorite type of flower to make it more personal.
For a nighttime proposal, line the pathway with candles (battery-operated for safety) for a magical glow.
Have the pathway lead to a romantic setup, like a picnic blanket or a beautifully decorated spot.
Play a soft, romantic playlist in the background as they walk the path.
At the end of the path, be waiting on one knee with the final rose and your sign.

8. TikTok Dance Challenge

Get creative with a viral dance on TikTok, then ask your date to join you in the challenge. At the end of the video, hold up a sign that says, “Homecoming?” You’ll get a fun memory and a proposal that’s very “now.”

Choose a popular song and dance that you know your date enjoys.
Practice the dance moves beforehand so you look smooth in the video.
Make the proposal sign big and easy to read on camera.
Write a cute caption for the video when you post it, like “I think she/he said yes!”
Keep the video fun and lighthearted to match the energy of the platform.

9. Book Lover’s Proposal

If your date is a book lover, write your proposal in the form of a personalized short story or poem. Create a small book or place a note in their favorite book that asks them to homecoming.

Hollow out an old hardcover book and place your note and a flower inside.
Create a custom bookmark with the proposal message printed on it.
Take them to their favorite bookstore or library and have the proposal waiting on a shelf.
In one of their favorite books, go through and lightly circle letters that spell out your question.
Choose a book with a romantic theme to hide your note in.

10. Cookie Jar Surprise

Fill a jar with cookies or candy, and on top of the treats, leave a note asking your date to homecoming. This is a sweet, thoughtful, and simple way to propose, especially if they love sweets.

Bake their favorite type of cookies from scratch for a personal touch.
Use frosting to write “H-O-C-O-?” on a few of the cookies.
Decorate the jar with ribbons in your school colors.
Pair the cookie jar with a carton of milk or a homemade hot chocolate mix.
Choose a clear jar so they can see the delicious treats inside.

11. Social Media Reveal

Post a creative and personalized proposal photo on your social media account, tagging your date. You can make it fun by using a themed backdrop or arranging the words in a creative visual layout.

Create a multi-photo post where each picture reveals another word of the proposal.
Use the poll feature on an Instagram story and have the options be “Yes” or “Definitely Yes.”
Design a custom graphic using a free tool like Canva with fun fonts and photos.
Make a “get ready with me” style video that ends with you holding up a proposal sign.
Come up with a unique hashtag for the proposal that you both can use later.

12. School Spirit Proposal

Use your school’s spirit and mascot to your advantage. You could create a proposal using your school’s colors or team spirit, and present it at a game or pep rally. Your date will be impressed by the school pride and your creativity.

Get the school mascot to help you deliver the proposal sign or flowers.
Use sports equipment, like writing “Homecoming?” on a football or basketball.
Organize a group of friends to spell out “HOMECOMING?” with painted t-shirts.
Propose after a big team win when the energy and excitement are high.
Incorporate your school’s chant or fight song into the proposal.

13. Flashlight Message

Create a glowing, illuminated sign that asks your date to homecoming by arranging flashlights in a dark space. For a truly magical effect, you could do this under the stars or in a dimly lit area.

Get a group of friends to each hold a flashlight, turning them on at the same time to reveal the message.
Use colored cellophane over the flashlights to create a message in their favorite color.
Do this in their backyard at night for a big, romantic surprise.
Keep the message short and sweet, like “HOCO?” so it is easy to arrange.
Combine this idea with a bonfire and s’mores for a cozy, memorable evening.

14. Sweet Treat Box

Create a box of their favorite treats, with each treat representing a reason why you want to go to homecoming with them. Each snack could be labeled with a reason like “You’re sweet,” “You make me smile,” etc., ending with “Will you go to Homecoming with me?”

Use a donut box with the message “I DONUT want to go to HOCO with anyone but you.”
Include a mix of sweet and savory snacks for variety.
Decorate the outside of the box with photos, drawings, or inside jokes.
Use candy with puns, like “I’d be a SUCKER to not ask you to homecoming” with a lollipop.
Add their favorite drink, like a bottle of soda or a fancy coffee.

15. Sports Game Proposal

If your date loves sports, set up a homecoming proposal during halftime or between quarters at a game. You could hold up a sign or even have it displayed on the scoreboard for everyone to see.

Make a sign with a sports-related pun, like “Let’s TACKLE Homecoming together.”
Check with the event staff to see if you can get your message on the Jumbotron.
Wear matching jerseys of their favorite team to show your support.
Coordinate with the cheerleaders or the band to help make the moment even bigger.
Celebrate their “yes” with classic stadium food like hot dogs or nachos.

16. DIY Cupcake Proposal

Bake or buy cupcakes, and decorate them with cute toppings. On one cupcake, place a ring or a note that asks, “Homecoming?” It’s a sweet way to ask while satisfying both your creative side and your date’s sweet tooth.

Spell out “H-O-C-O-?” with one letter on each cupcake.
Use their favorite cake and frosting flavors.
Arrange the cupcakes in a nice box tied with a ribbon.
Use sprinkles or frosting in your school colors for a spirited touch.
Create two special cupcakes labeled “Yes” and “No” and tell them to eat their answer.

17. Photo Collage

Create a collage of pictures showcasing memories you’ve shared or things that remind you of your date. At the end of the collage, place a photo of a homecoming dance and a note that says, “Will you go to Homecoming with me?”

Make it on a large poster board they can keep as a memento.
Include a mix of funny candids and sweet, posed pictures.
Arrange the photos in the shape of a giant heart for a romantic flair.
Leave a blank space in the middle with the note, “For our Homecoming picture.”
You could also create a digital version and set it as their computer or phone background.

18. Under the Stars Proposal

Plan a stargazing night and set up a cozy area with blankets and pillows. As you look up at the stars, ask your date to homecoming in a romantic way by using a light-up sign or a constellation map that spells out your proposal.

Bring a telescope to look at planets and constellations.
Use glow-in-the-dark paint on a poster board to write your message.
Have hot chocolate in a thermos to keep you both warm.
Create a custom star map online showing what the sky looked like on a special date.
Spell out “HOCO?” on the ground using flameless, battery-operated candles.

19. Post-It Note Surprise

Fill your date’s locker or car with colorful post-it notes, each one saying something sweet or meaningful. The last note will say “Homecoming?” as the big reveal. It’s a fun, easy, and personalized way to ask.

Use different colors of Post-it notes to create a heart or a fun pattern.
On each note, write a favorite memory or something you like about them.
Make sure you have more than enough notes to completely cover the surface.
Get a friend to film their reaction as they walk up to the surprise.

20. Movie Theater Proposal

Create a short video or slideshow with pictures of the two of you and play it before the movie starts. As the credits roll, end with a message asking your date to homecoming. It’s a cinematic proposal that’s sure to leave them smiling.

Contact the theater manager well in advance to get permission and coordinate the technical details.
Make the video personal by including your favorite songs, inside jokes, and photos from your time together.
Keep the video short and sweet, around 1 to 2 minutes, so it fits perfectly before the movie previews.
Bring a bouquet of flowers or their favorite movie snack to give them right after the video plays.
If a real theater is not an option, create a “home cinema” experience with a projector and popcorn, and play your video surprise there.

Conclusion

A homecoming proposal is all about creativity and personalization. Whether you go with a sweet treat, an adventurous scavenger hunt, or a heartwarming banner surprise, the key is to make your date feel special and appreciated. The 20 ideas above provide a variety of ways to ask someone to the dance, no matter what style you’re aiming for. Choose the one that best fits your relationship, and get ready to create a magical moment they’ll never forget.