Here is my ‘Gift Guide’ for an Anniversary present for someone who has everything.
Most of us start thinking about an anniversary gift about a month before our wedding anniversary actually arrives. Yes I can hear chuckles from some guys out there – you know who you are – the ones who has a calendar pop-up the day before to remind you, or the secretary that you tell to run out and buy it that day.
* Schedule a reminder on your calendar, or give your secretary a reminder, that tells you at least one month prior to your anniversary that what date it is due.
* Start the anniversary search process at least four weeks before the actual date. This means, think back to how you felt, how excited you were a month before the wedding. Remember all the preparations? Well time to do this again.
So, here is a rough schedule to follow 4 weeks before the anniversary date. Bear with me men, this next section will be hard for you.
In a perfect world…
Week 4 – Put a love note with her/his coffee in the morning, or with her/his drink at night.
Week 3 – Offer to do a chore your partner is not fond of doing. If she hates laundry then offer to do it for her and put a note on the top the clean clothes with a heart or a kiss. If he hates mowing the lawn then offer to do that and put note with a heart or a kiss on the lawnmower when you are finished.
Week 2 – Make dinner or order dinner in. Whoever cooks just say “not tonight, it is taken care of”. If you normally order in then actually cook a dinner (or bring home one that you just need to heat). Again a ‘love’ note.
Week 1 – Now this is a bit tricky. You want to do something special on a day other than your anniversary day as well. So if you anniversary falls on a Friday then on Monday or Tuesday, after dinner, but some nice music on and ask him/her to dance. Ok, so you have kids and that won’t work. Wait until they are in bed. The music can be soft. It doesn’t have to be a dance. It could be just a cuddle listening to your favorite song.
Anniversary Day
Now is the time to think back to when you were married. Remember the excitement, the thrill, the overwhelming joy. It’s time to share that with your partner. Start the day off with a card, Leave it by the coffer maker, on her/his pillow, in her/his car, etc. If you can, do take the time to have quiet time – maybe a dinner away. If you don’t have time do try and at least have a drink together after the work/kids are all set.
At the last moment of the day, when you both feel the warmth and joy of all that has lead up to this great anniversary then give your partner their gift.
Back to reality…
That’s likely more than most couples can take on, so if you feel you can’t here’s a plan that is easier to fulfill.
Week 4 – Start thinking about what you would like to do for your anniversary and looking at gift ideas.
Week 3 – Same as week 4, come on let’s get this together! And make sure you are clearing your schedule so work or other potential calendar conflicts don’t arise.
Week 2 – For heaven’s sake if you don’t have the present yet, get a move on, your running out of time! If you are dining out and need to make arrangements for a baby sitter, a reservations for an exclusive restaurant, or event. And clue in everyone who needs to know and let them know their role, such as making themselves scarce, for example, if they are rambunctious teens.
Week 1 – If you haven’t gotten a gift by now, your options are less and you are close to blowing it… So get something quick… Let your partner know early in the week you are looking forward to your upcoming anniversary. The build up ahead will make everything more special.
Anniversary Day
Now is the time to think back to when you were married. Remember the excitement, the thrill, the overwhelming joy. It’s time to share that with your partner. Start the day off with a card, Leave it by the coffer maker, on her/his pillow, in her/his car, etc. If you can, do take the time to have quiet time – maybe a dinner away. If you don’t have time do try and at least have a drink together after the work/kids are all set. At the last moment of the day, when you both feel the warmth and joy of all that has lead up to this great anniversary then give your partner their gift.
Now you may be asking “why do I have to go through all of this, we are already married?” That’s a legit question. But let me ask you one, do you want to stay married? No, an anniversary present will not make or break a marriage, but romance, or the lack there of can.
You can ignore my 4 week ahead advice and just buy an anniversary gift for the day and just hand it to your partner with a “happy anniversary”. I’m sure it will still be fine. But – BUT – if you want to keep excitement in your marriage, if you want to keep romance in your marriage, if you want to be happy, just take a bit of time to do something extra… every single year, even every single day!
Be sure to start looking before your anniversary month starts. You don’t have to buy it at that time, but it will give you lots of leeway to find the perfect present.
Check out our anniversary page here for some ideas Here!
Taking the time to make your anniversary day special, as well as giving an anniversary gift, will be an incredibly memorable day!
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