Anniversaries are a special time for couples — a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future. But too often, anniversaries are just another day. So here are seven ways to make sure your anniversary is truly special.
Make it a weekend.
Don’t just let your anniversary fall on a day; make it a whole weekend affair. This way, you can really relax and enjoy each other’s company without having to worry about work or other obligations getting in the way.
However, it’s important that you actually take time out for each other during your planned weekend. Make sure to unplug from your phones and computers, and really focus on spending quality time together – whether it is at home, out for a meal, or somewhere else entirely.
Spend time with loved ones.
Your anniversary is also a great opportunity to spend time with the people who matter most to you as a couple. This could mean having a dinner party with your closest friends or taking a trip to visit your families. If you decide to host a dinner party, make sure you get the dessert right — Gathar has a great list of dessert ideas for you to try.
However you choose to do it, spending time with the people who support your relationship is a wonderful way to celebrate your anniversary.
Get away from it all.
If you can, take a trip for your anniversary. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy; even just a few nights in a different city can be enough to spice things up. And if you can’t manage to get away, there’s nothing wrong with a staycation!
Wondering what a staycation is? Well, it’s pretty much what it sounds like — a vacation that you take at home. Get a babysitter for the kids, if you have them, and spend a night or two in a hotel downtown. Or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, camp out in your own backyard!
Do something new.
A lot of couples get stuck in a rut after being together for a while. To keep things fresh on your anniversary, try doing something new together. This could be anything from exploring a new city to trying a new restaurant to taking a dance class together.
If you’re feeling a bit more grand, you could even plan an entire trip around doing new things. For example, you could take a wine-tasting tour of Napa Valley or go on a safari in Africa.
Revisit old times.
On the other hand, sometimes what’s most special is revisiting old times. If you’ve been together for a while, chances are you have some shared memories that you both cherish.
For your anniversary, take a walk down memory lane by doing something that reminds you of a special moment from your past. For instance, you could listen to the song that was playing when you had your first dance or visit the restaurant where you had your first date.
You could also recreate your first date entirely — from the outfits you wore to the place you went (to even the food you ordered).
Another great way to revisit old times is to flip through old photo albums or watch home movies together. This is a great way to reminisce and also laugh at how much you’ve both changed over the years.
Give each other gifts that are meaningful.
Gift-giving on anniversaries can often be a bit of a minefield. You want to get your partner something they’ll love, but you also don’t want to spend a fortune. And if you’ve been together a while, it can be hard to think of something original.
One way to get around this is to give each other gifts that are meaningful, rather than expensive. These could be things like homemade coupons for back rubs or breakfast in bed, or a handwritten letter expressing your love.
Focus on the future.
Finally, don’t forget to focus on the future when celebrating your anniversary. Yes, it’s important to reflect on the past and present, but it’s also essential to look ahead.
Think about all the wonderful things you want to do together in the years to come. This could be anything from taking a trip around the world to getting your partner onboard your healthy lifestyle changes to simply growing old together.
A fun way to do this is to make a bucket list of all the things you want to do as a couple. Then, on each anniversary, you can cross one item off the list.
No matter how you choose to celebrate your anniversary, the most important thing is that you take the time to appreciate your partner and your relationship. After all, it’s not every day that you get to celebrate being together!