Your anniversary is a once-a-year celebration with the person you love. The longer you spend together, the more it tends to sneak up on you.
It is not always easy to come up with fun, creative ways to celebrate. Anniversaries typically entail a fancier-than-usual dinner and a brief exchange of gifts—but why not try something else for a change?
Want to know how to make your anniversary memorable? Give these simple, inexpensive ideas a try.
Bake a Cake
You can buy delicious, custom-made cakes from your grocery store's bakery, but why not try baking your own?
Spend some time with your partner and have fun making a personalized anniversary dessert. Pick out the flavors, frosting color, and decorations.
It does not have to be a cake, either. You can make cupcakes, brownies, or even a pie. Since you are making it together, it is bound to be good.
Cook a Fancy Dinner
If you are not a fan of overly-sweet desserts, make a fancy dinner instead. Cook some of your partner's favorite meals, like steak, lobster, pasta, or a vegetable roast.
If you do not feel like cooking, order something. You can pick your dinner up curbside or have it delivered directly to your house.
While it is nice to enjoy the occasional fancy dinner, they are not for everyone. If you are not in the mood for steak and lobster, there is nothing wrong with ordering a pizza and some wings. Just make sure both of you agree on the toppings and dips.
Give Thoughtful Gifts
Do not forget the presents. If you follow the traditional gift-giving guidelines, buy something that aligns with the year.
For your first anniversary, give a nice, heartfelt card. You can try wood for the fifth year. Buy something decorative, like a wooden picture frame. Put one of your wedding photographs inside, or another picture that you both like.
Buy your partner something romantic. Act like it is a second Valentine's Day: get them flowers, chocolates, and balloons.
Want something personalized? Purchase some clothing, wall art, or a crystal plaque. You can put both of your names on them and include a sweet, thoughtful message. You can also add your anniversary year.
Have Breakfast in Bed
Wake up early and make a delicious, hearty breakfast for your partner. Bring it to them in bed and enjoy.
You can make whatever kind of food you want, but if you wish to aim for something classic, eggs, hash browns, pancakes, and bacon are the way to go. For drinks, try milk, juice, coffee, or champagne.
If your partner is a morning person, consider watching the sunrise together.
Have a Movie Night
Another way to make your anniversary memorable is to turn it into a fun, impromptu movie night.
Is there a movie you have been itching to watch, or an old, nostalgic film you want to see again? Pop some popcorn, cuddle up under the blankets, and enjoy a relaxing movie night.
It does not have to stop at one movie, either. You can watch a movie and its sequels, or a random mix-match of romantic films. Stay up late and treat yourselves to a several-hour marathon.
Recreate a Memory
It could be your first date, first dance, or just an old, fun memory that the two of you enjoyed. Relive the moment together.
If you still have the clothes you wore at that time, put them on. For added fun, recreate the hair, makeup, and other small details.
If your first date was at a restaurant, order the same meal. Was it spent at home, chatting and playing games? There is nothing wrong with a friendly game of Uno or Mario Kart.
You might not remember all the steps to your first dance, but that does not mean you cannot try. Play your special song and slow dance to the rhythm.
Spend Time Together
If you do not feel like doing anything special, that is fine. Your day does not have to be filled with elaborate and expensive gestures. The most important part is that you spend time with the person you love.
Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner together. Talk to each other and be affectionate. Love is not always loud—it can also be subtle and quiet.
Try Something New
If you are tired of the same, boring routine, try something new. It can be anything, from trying new foods, visiting somewhere you have not been before, or giving an interesting activity a chance. When you are with someone else, delving into the unknown is less scary.
Have you always wanted to try a unique food, like pufferfish, chicken's feet, or alligator jerky? Ask your significant other to join you.
In these times, it is harder to travel, but that does not mean it is impossible. Plan a visit to a smaller, rural town, where you can hike, climb, and fish, all while remaining socially distant.
Want to try a new activity? Anything that involves the outdoors is a safe bet. Go kayaking, skydiving, or scuba diving.
Watch Your Wedding Video
Feel like reliving your special day? Then it is time to dig out your wedding video from storage. If you do not have a video, dust off your wedding album and look through the photographs.
This is a great way to look back on your wedding day. If it has been years since you last saw any pictures or videos, you are sure to find some long-forgotten gems.
There are the sweet, tender moments—the exchanging of vows, the cutting of your wedding cake, and your first dance—and the funny moments, too. Remember your uncle's ridiculous, drunken toast? The crazy, synchronized dance your friends pulled off on the dance floor?
Memories like this are invaluable. Do not ever forget them.
Write Love Letters
Try channeling your inner poet. Sit down with your significant other and start writing some love letters.
You can do one or multiple—either on fancy, store-bought cards, or on a simple piece of stationery. The messages you write to each other can be tender, bittersweet, or silly.
Remind each other why you got married. Give your partner compliments, bring up unforgettable memories, and write down your hopes and dreams for the future. This will not be your last anniversary. Ideally, you will have them for years, if not decades, to come.
Looking for the perfect 15th anniversary gift? Crystal Central has what you need. Come check out our personalized crystal plaques. Your partner is sure to love them.
