10 Ways to Make Your Next Anniversary the Best Ever

Anniversaries come year after year, and it’s so easy for them to sneak up on us.  Try something different this year that will make your upcoming anniversary special and memorable.  Don’t resort to the easy “dinner and a movie” fallback.  Plan something in advance that both of you will love.

1. Follow Through on Old Plans

   Remember those dreams and plans the two of you made when you first got married, but never followed through on?  Do them now.  Sure not all of them will be possible, but do what is.  The years slip by more quickly than you expect them to.  If you don’t follow through with those old plans now, will you ever?

2. Relive a First Date

   Recreate the memory of your first date, by going on the same date again.  This is a sweet, romantic idea.  Plus, it likely won’t be too expensive or extravagant unless you went all out trying to charm her.

3. Keep it Simple

   Maybe all the two of you need is some quiet time together.  It is easy to get caught up in the rush of a busy life, so take a break.  Go on a walk together or sit by the fireplace and talk.  Simply spend time together and love each other.

4. Get Away

   Celebrating an anniversary can lose its magic when there are too many distractions.  Get away from everything with just your spouse.  On a tighter budget, maybe that means just sending the kids to friends’ houses for a day and night to get a break.  If you can, take an adventure together to a foreign place or a bed and breakfast.

5. Throw a Party

   Just because it is your anniversary, it does not mean that it is a requirement to spend the entire day just the two of you.  Maybe you both love to celebrate.  Invite mutual friends over to celebrate your anniversary and exchange new vows or toasts with your spouse in front of the crowd.

6. Take a Trip Down Memory Lane

   Remind yourself of where your marriage began.  Go back to the place where the two of you got married and treasure the sweet memories.  If you can, try to stay in the same room you did the night you got married.  Then, go back for a vacation where the two of you spent your honeymoon.

7. Plan a Project

   It is important to be able to work together in a marriage.  If you have some unfinished projects around the house, take the day and enjoy working side by side.  Don’t overdo it, but have fun with it and share some laughs.

8. Have an Adventure

   Take a play day.  Leave all of your responsibilities behind and engage in an adventure together.  You could go on a hike, visit a museum, take a bike ride, or do something entirely new together.

9. Spread Out the Surprises All Day

   Plan ahead and have little gifts or sweet things for your spouse throughout the day.  Even after years of marriage and knowing each other, show that you still have some surprises up your sleeve and can keep things fresh and exciting.

10. Prepare a Romantic Dinner Alone

    Plan ahead to have a romantic dinner waiting for your wife as a surprise at the end of the day.  Instead of going to a restaurant, have dinner alone        somewhere.  Have someone help you by setting out the already prepared food and lighting candles before you get there.  If your anniversary is on a workday, be waiting with dinner when she gets home on the back porch with candles lit.

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