Anniversary ideas for my oft-under-appreciated wife of 8 years.
Asked by
hex (
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)
August 12th, 2009
I’d like to do something not ordinary for the actual day and also have a memorable gift for her. Our anniversary falls on a workday/school day so the event may not benefit from a lot of time. I want to do more than the usual dinner out, banal gift exchange, etc.
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26 Answers
The best thing you can do is something meaningful to your specific relationship and time together, not just a generic (or even special, generic) idea. The best ideas are things only you or people very close to you and your relationship can point out.
If you spend a lot of time and effort thinking about what would be best, it’ll show, and you’ll get more gratitude than something generic (even specially generic.)
If you have a bunch of photos of the two of you and maybe the kids if you have them. Put them together on the computer and have a photo book made. Not too expensive and she will love it.
How about a new mop or perhaps a vacuum cleaner?
Kidding, of course.
do something related to when you first met or dated—other than a heated makeout session.
but something that was so simple and so “pivotal” that led you to marital bliss. this of course takes thought. but it’s always “thought and creativity” that makes major statements.
(follow-up of heated sex episode not included.)
Get her a spa day package, and when she is out getting wonderfully relaxed, clean the house and make a candlelight dinner. Wear a suit.
(Luckily failing miserably at the dinner part can, in the least, be endearing as well.)
Get her a Slap Chop, Say: Happy Anniversary honey, you’re gonna love my nuts! enjoy a few seconds of the shock on her face, then bust out your real gift.
Make her quiche
Chicks dig quiche
Unless they’re vegans…
What about a series to the theater for the year? or symphony? or dance? That way your under-appreciated wife will have more than one day with you to celebrate. And each of those evenings can be made special.
I like the day spa idea, along with a maid service for the day, (or year).
Since you said she’s under-appreciated, I think writing her a love letter would be beautiful. Not necessarily a “your eyes are like oceans” bullshit love letter, but a real letter from your heart. Point out all the reasons why you love her more today than you did the day you married her, the things about her that make you smile and laugh, how beautiful she still is, etc.
Then send her to the spa for a day over the weekend.
Have the house clean and a romantic dinner ready.
Women like to feel appreciated. It’s perhaps one of the most important things you can do for her.
Put together something that symbolizes your eight years together. Perhaps a photo album or art project.
Maybe a gift basket with a bottle of the champagne served at your wedding, special foods she likes but does not usually indulge in.
I know you are working on celebrating that day, but some my most special anniversary memories are when my husband and I have gone away for our anniversary weekend and indulged in a couple of days of travel and romance.
Forgot the gift: jewelry is never banal.
Make a promise to her that you will never under appreciate her again, and stick to it.
A “Yer Way” Certificate.
Get a nice certificate blank off the net. On the certificate, put verbiage to the effect:
“This certificate entitles you to have your way, anytime, anyplace. Just present certificate to the undersigned. Provided to my love, friend and partner for eight years of patience and under appreciation.
Signed Your Name”
She will love it.
You might not have time for a trip to adult space camp.. so I guess I’m at a loss.
This is what I did for my spouse.
I took a sheet of plain paper and cut it up into about 40 small pieces about 2” x ½”
I wrote down 40 things I love and appreciate- things that I often take for granted or do not notice right away. Making each personal and ending with “I <3 You!”
Then I folded each in half and spent an hour hiding them all over in my spouses personal effects- here are some examples:
In coat pockets
in a page of the book on the nightstand
Wallet
Suitcase
Camera Case
Glovebox
Desk…
My spouse is still finding them today. I also unrolled the toilet paper once and wrote a message then carefully re-rolled it to look untouched.
This way my spouse was told 40 times how I appreciate all the little things.
Adding this to any gift given will ensure that she knows how much she is loved and appreciated.
I can tell you @sccrowell really loves the hot red Mustang I bought her. You might get your wife one of those. See ya….Gary aka wtf
Didn’t know there was such thing
Hmm, she does love lobster, maybe I’ll try to cook a few myself.
I like the 40 notes idea, @Dog, I used to do something like that before we were married, that’s on the list.
If you’re gonna do lobster, then I suggest you follow this
Death to all who oppose! Alton Brown is the man!
Almost impossible to suggest since we don’t know her. If she would like the spa idea take her to dinner the night of your anniversary and present her with a gift certificate at a spa that has couple rooms, and get a body treatment along side her, so you can relax together. If possible make it an overnight at a hotel and spa…but I have no idea if you have kids or if you leave relatively near to a fabulous hotel and spa.
I googled 8 years and came up with:
Traditional Gifts: Bronze or Pottery
Modern Gifts: Linens or Lace
If you get something related to one of these, she will know you took the time to look it up. You can go to one of those pottery places like Color Me Mine and make a cute little something with the date on it…a vase, a box for her wedding ring, even a little plate that might stay in the cabinet, but will always be treasured. My husband for our 15 year anniversary drove out of his way in the snow to bring me hamburgers and fries from Krystal fast food. It’s one of my favorite stories. But, he knows I am fine with small gestures, and he does romantic things all of the time actually. I also, am a practical type of girl, so I have never been much into flowers or a gift that I don’t really need.
@hex Isn’t that the way it always is? Before we marry the world revolves around our love then afterwords the little things are forgotten such as little notes and saying “thanks” as often as we should.
I try to leave the notes at least once a year. I know they are cherished because once found they are placed in a special box on the dresser.
I have a box of notes that my husband has written. One time for valentines I made hearts in powerpoint, printed and cut them out and left hearts everywhere…taped to the mirror in the bathroom, in the fridge, in his attache, car seat, etc.
Thanks for all the ideas, I’m sure to come out of this year’s anniversary smelling better.
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