It’s that time of year again, the time where you find yourself searching for the best gift with no idea where to start. No, it’s not Christmas, it’s the other valuable time of the year: Your Anniversary…
Anniversaries have been commonly associated with elevated levels of stress, intentional “forgetfulness” and secret hopes that the other person forgets it’s existence. If you find yourself in any of these bubbles don’t worry, here are some ideas that will help you get started with finding the perfect way to express your love.
If your Wife/Partner Favors Tradition
There is a common list you can follow based on the number of years you have been together.
Some Ideas From the List:
1st Year: Paper Gifts: this can include but is not limited to money, a long love letter or handwritten poems.
2nd Year: Cotton Gifts can include t-shirts, bathrobes, towels. If you feel that this idea is too simple you can have a personalized message stitched on to the gift.
3rd Year: Leather Gifts should be easy but if you cannot decide perhaps a nice leather designer bag or a coat should suffice.
The list provides ideas as far as 60 year Anniversary and includes modern ideas. You can find more information at:
If Your Wife/Partner Likes Romance
It may seem obvious or easy to arrange a romantic dinner BUT remember that your anniversary should include special gestures that may not happen otherwise. So, yes, you can arrange for a romantic dinner, but be sure to add in something extra that says, “you’re special and I am happy we’re still committed to each other”.
Some anniversary date ideas to kick it up a notch:
Arrange for a couples cooking session, if you can, privatize this experience to make this event all the more special.
Do you Live in New York City? Some places to try are Tache Artisan Chocolate or Date Night at the Brooklyn Kitchen.
You can also try a Paint and Sip venue or bring one to you. While this may not seem romantic initially, it can be an intimate experience that takes the weight of being serious off your shoulders. It also leaves the entertaining up to the hosts at the venue.
You can check, Groupon, Living Social or Eventbrite for the locations nearest you and the best deals.
If You Are Approaching A Milestone Year
(5th, 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th…)
This is an opportunity for you to really go out of your way. The bigger the number the bigger the gesture should be, perhaps take that vacation that always seemed so far or too expensive, or surprise her with a weekend of pampering followed by romantic dinners.
One common way to highlight a milestone year is to renew your vows and celebrate with a party afterward. Many couples go all out and try their best to make it as close to their original wedding party. This is usually reserved for after 10 years.
Things to remember while searching for a gift that will please your Wife/Partner:
She has more than likely been dropping hints for a while as to what she truly wants, so it may be best to pay attention to what she says.
Always aim for a gift that reflects what she likes and represents how much she means to you.
Start off with small gifts in the earlier years (anything below 10 years) and go big in the later years.
If you find that you are not in the financial position to splurge, put all your efforts into creating something that will express how you feel. Most people will stat that “it’s the thought that counts”, but ultimately it’s the effort that is appreciated.
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash