Romantic Anniversary Gifts Part 2

Lover's List

Explore your own utterly distinct love for the one and only love of your life. Make a list of some or all of the following:

• The praiseworthy (and also the more subtle, yet moving) things your lover has done for you.
• How your lover's thoughtful gestures make you feel. IJ The reasons your lover is important to you.
• The reasons you married and love your partner.
• The feelings you had when you first met and fell in love with your mate.

Once you have compiled your list, decide on a special way to present it to your spouse. You can, for example, write out your list on a fancy scroll. Roll up the scroll, tie it with a ribbon, and present it to your spouse on your anniversary. Or you can write your list on parchment and have it framed. You might have the list written in calligraphy. (Either hire a service to do this or do it yourself if you know how.) One final idea for presenting your spouse's praiseworthy traits is to print them out on individual cards, then hide the cards around the house. Your spouse will be thrilled with the discovery of each card.

Scrapbook

Make a scrapbook of special romantic memories. You can include:

• Anniversary, Valentine's Day, and birthday cards.
• Cards that came with flowers.
• Golf/bowling scores.
• Love letters.
• Locks of hair.
• Newspaper clippings.
• Photographs.
• Poems.
• Postcards.
• "Remember when" notes.
• Restaurant mementos.
• Ribbons from special gifts.
• Theater programs.
• Ticket stubs.
• Vacation souvenirs.
• Wedding invitations.
• Wine labels.
• Pressed flowers.

Include any other memento that recalls romantic times. Bring out the scrapbook every year to reminisce over and to update.

Special Balloons

How about carrying a simple anniversary balloon greeting to a more personal level? Purchase some plain balloons and embellish them with your own messages. You might use some items from the Lover's List gift idea. Be sure to fill the balloons with helium; nothing else will substitute. Tie each bal loon with long ribbons. For an added touch, tie small gifts to some of the ribbons-a small bottle of perfume or cologne, tickets to a play or sports event, or maybe a dinner invitation.

A Special Portrait

couples have at least one photograph of themselves in a loving pose. What they rarely have is a painting of themselves. For an exquisite gift, have a portrait of yourselves professionally painted. You can either pose for the artist, or give him or her a photograph to use as a model. This gift will be enjoyed by you and by future generations.

A Video Depiction

A Fairy Tale Romance (see birthday ideas) proposed the idea of creating a short film about your lover or your lives together as a birthday present. This same idea can be customized for your anniversary. For the anniversary version, the story line can focus on a comic portrayal of your first date, your spouse's first meeting of your parents, recollections of your wedding day, and any other significant romantic episodes from your past. You can include a glimpse into the future and portray what you think your married life will be like in ten or fifteen years. Be sure to end your film with a fervent expression of your love and a wish for a wonderful anniversary.

Here is another video gift idea of a personal and romantic nature. Make the film a documentary about your lover. Interview your spouse's friends and family members. Have them tell an interesting story or two about your spouse. Inter view your kids and ask them why they love mommy or daddy. Finally, put yourself in front of the camera and relate some of your own warm stories about your lover, and the reasons why he or she means the world to you. This lasting testament is a powerful statement of your love.

Symbols of Love

is a time for reflections of your wedding day and of the vows you took. Reaffirm your love with a symbolic gift. Here are some ideas:

• A bottle of wine from the year of your marriage.
• A piece of jewelry to which you can add something each year, like a pearl necklace or a charm bracelet.
• Anniversary bands that are inscribed with special messages of love.
• A tree or shrub to plant each year in commemoration of your anniversary.

A homemade card adds a thoughtful, meaningful touch to your anniversary gift. Relax your mind and get inspired to create something distinctly yours. Here are some ideas:

• Create a card with photographs of significant days in your married life. Add a comment or a caption below each picture.
• Use the words of a poem or a meaningful song to create a romantic card. Add a dab of your perfume or cologne to the card before sealing it in an envelope.
• Create a "fun" card by writing your sentiments in a comic strip format. Or use cutout windows that open to display humorous pictures or phrases.
• Want an interesting theme? Make a card that portrays your married life in the future.
• Create a card using artwork from your kids.

Whether your card is humorous or serious, be sure to include a romantic reflection of your years together.

   Back to Romantic Ideas Menu