How to find or create meaningful anniversary gifts at every stage of the relationship!
Looking for the perfect anniversary gift for that oh-so-wonderful significant other? Congratulations! You've come to the right spot for some advice.
Below are some tips and ideas for male and female gifts, broken down into long-time and short-time categories (short-term is less than 6 months).
Male - Short-time
So you're in the market for a boyfriend who you have not been dating for too many months. Check out interactive gifts that you all can use together. An Anniversary is all about each other, afterall.
One great idea is to buy him some toy from childhood that he probably hasn't thought about in a long time, such as a model airplane or an ant farm. Not only will he get a kick out of owning these toys as an adult, but they are things that you all can build into your shared weekend activities.
Here's a short list of some of those toys that may be appealing:
Model airplane/car
Ant farm
Video game system
A trip to a laser-tag/paint-ball park
Yo-yo and yo-yo tick book
A book of cartoons/comic book heroes
These items can be adjusted to fit any budget and certainly won't break your bank.
Female - short time
It's often said that women read into gifts perhaps more than the gift-giver intended. Therefore, it can be tricky to buy gifts for females when you haven't been in the relationship for very long.
The key is really in listening to the details of what she says and surprising her. For example, try taking her on a trip to a local B&B if she happens to mention stress at work or a need to take a vacation.
Concert and theater tickets are fail-proof and allow time for you all to share a nice entertaining evening together. If you choose to get her event tickets, the secret is in the packaging; an envelope is never the key. Here's one idea: take your lady out to dinner. Visit the "rest room" just before leaving. Slip out to the car and leave the tickets under the windshield-wiper, like a parking ticket. When you go to leave, remove the tickets and ask her to look them over. She'll get a kick out of your creativity and desire to surprise.
Male - long term
Finding a gift for a male that you have been seeing for awhile is not as hard as it may seem. Once you rule out generic gifts (clothes, ties, golf clubs) you can start to narrow your selection down to the more sentimental. The trick here is personalizing the gift to make your man feel special.
In a long term relationship, the Anniversary focus should really be on celebrating the depth and staying power of your love. Make sure that you get him something that could not be meant for anyone else (unlike the gifts you might get for short-term.) You don't have to go overboard on the price or size, but something sentimental that you all can keep as a memento of your love for years to come should do.
Try a nice monogrammed fountain pen and journal (which you've begun for him.) You also can't go wrong with a nice wooden box containing poems you've written for him (one per month should do it.)
Female - long term
Jewelry is the staple of long-term anniversary gifts - and for good reason. Jewelry lasts, is sentimental and is something that the lady can wear throughout the day to remind her of your love. If pearls are not in your price range, check out a nice pair of earrings and necklace set. Choose something creative and with style - something that stands out the way she stands out in your heart. A nice watch is a practical piece as well as a lasting staple of any girl's wardrobe. How about a nice solid-metal bracelet with an engraving on the underside?
Whatever the level of seriousness of your relationship, it's important that your gift demonstrate your thoughtfulness, attentiveness to your significant others' desires and be memorable (either from the moments spent together engaging in the activity you purchase or in the weight of the gift.) Most importantly, don't stress out! You're anniversary is not about the gift-giving; it's about the celebration of your love and relationship. So relax. Take the pressure off and give your loved-one a token of your love. Good luck!
