Make Your Anniversary Presents Special

For me, anniversary presents are the hardest to shop for. There's just no way for most people to afford a large diamond every year. And besides, I gave my wife a very big diamond way back on our tenth anniversary, and let's face it, I'll never be able to top that. It was a once in a lifetime gift.

So rather than try and top it, my wife and I have come up with creative ways to celebrate our anniversary every year. It's not about topping something or even giving a great gift at all. It's now become more of how we make use of the day.

They come around once a year and heaven forbid that you forget one! Wedding anniversaries are a time to let your partner know that they are special. It's a chance to show your romantic side.

Some people like to be traditional and follow the set rules for anniversary presents, from paper for the first anniversary to diamonds for the sixtieth. It's a long time to wait for diamonds. It would be an achievement to follow the anniversary presents list every single year. You may want to use your own imagination and knowledge of your partner, perhaps honoring the crystal, silver, pearl, ruby, gold, and diamonds for the landmark years.

The anniversary doesn't have to be celebrated by anything tangible. Anniversary presents could include a special outing or experience. Perhaps you could organize a trip in a hot air balloon or a hang gliding lesson. You could put together your own romantic day, with a champagne picnic in a row boat on the river. That will probably be treasured more than expensive earrings or cuff links.

That's the idea we take advantage of most. More often than not, it's a shared planning. We realize that this takes away the surprise, but it's something we both enjoy. But every once in a while I'll try to plan something myself. Of have someone do it for me.

If you don't want to organize something yourself, you can buy anniversary presents in the form of experience days, where the whole day is set up and you just enjoy. There's everything from swimming with sharks (divorce is less dangerous), to a day in a health spa. If it's difficult to decide on something you both like, you could take turns to choose.

There are some presents that can't be gift wrapped but make a wonderful statement. Anniversary presents just need a bit of lateral thinking. A tree can be planted in your partner's name, maybe in a place that means a lot to both of you. You could go beyond earth and name a star for your beloved. That star will carry that name forever and there will be a certificate of registration, so no one can take the name away. When you promised them the moon and the stars, you sort of did it! While you're at it, you could have a favorite song played on the radio.

If you do want something that your partner can open and you can see the delight in their eyes when they unwrap their anniversary presents, you could buy a piece of original art. Make sure it's to their taste and not just yours. A painting, a sculpture, or an antique that your partner has mentioned or hinted at! That's undoubtedly the safest way. If you're like me, if you try to pick something out on your own, chances are your spouse will hate it.

Why not compose your own poem. Romantic anniversary presents don't come more personal than that. If your talents don't lie in that direction, buy a book of love poems to be on the safe side. You can always rely on Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

If it's a gift your after, bigger and more expensive is not the only way to go. Creative and personal anniversary presents will win out every time. And if it's time together your seeking, planning a special day works out great, even if you have to do the planning together or have someone plan it for you. These are anniversary presents that will last as memories for a lifetime.

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