THE WIFE Guide: Tips for Celebrating Your Anniversary

4 Ways to Make Your Anniversary Romantic This Year… If your anniversary is coming up and you want to spark the occasion with some added romance, I’ve got the tips and tricks to make sure you celebrate in style. From special date nights to romantic trips, this will definitely be an anniversary to remember.

A New Take on Date Night –  We’ve all done it. We let our anniversary planning get lazy by heading out to the same restaurant, ordering the same meal, and having the same evening we’ve had for however many years we’ve been married. Instead of heading out to the same old haunt you always frequent, try something new for dinner this year. One of my favorite romance-inspiring dinners is one cooked at home with a twist.

Turn your living room into a picnic for two. If you’ve got kids, hire a babysitter or send them to their grandparents for the evening and transform your living space into a romantic bistro of your own. Move the furniture out of the way, lay down sheets, and light some candles (or use these flameless options to make sure there are no flaming accidents during your anniversary date). Serve some delicious fare right on the floor, set the mood with a romantic playlist, and enjoy each other’s company without the din of a restaurant. Staying at home also means you don’t have to cut down on the PDA (that’s public displays of affection to us less slang-oriented folk), so you can revel in each other’s affection all night long.

Plan a Trip – Sometimes we simply need to get away to really focus on each other, so plan a romantic anniversary trip that the two of you will always remember. One way to really get the romance back is to head to a destination that holds special meaning for your relationship. Maybe it’s your honeymoon spot, or perhaps it’s that cabin in the woods where you both spent your first weekend away together. If you’re working on a budget and planning your anniversary last minute, try using a website like Hotelstonight.com. When you use this site, simply put in the dates and destination of your choice, and the search engine will provide you with multiple options at discounted rates. The one caveat? You don’t see the hotel name until after you book. There’s a bit of mystery with this route, but it works out for really inexpensive rooms at great hotels that you might not have secured otherwise.

Try Something New – If you’re a couple who loves trying new things and aren’t people to shy away from a challenge, consider experiencing an adrenaline pumping activity for your anniversary. A little bit of healthy nerves will strengthen your bond, and you’ll harken back to the nervous days when you first began dating with an experience gift that requires you to dig into your bravery reserves. Maybe it’s jumping out of a plane for a skydiving plunge that you’ve both always wanted to do. Perhaps it’s a white water rafting adventure that will get you both laughing as you traverse splashing rapids. Use a site like Funsherpa.com to search out a local activity date that you’ll both enjoy and make this an anniversary you definitely won’t forget.

When it Comes to Gifts – Finding the perfect gift is no easy task, but with a touch of sentiment you can make your sweetheart’s day. You can grab a personalized present that plays to their favorite hobbies, like a customized set of barbecue tongs for the guy who cooks a mean steak, or a golf bag for your honey who loves to hit the fairway. Taking the time to add a special touch won’t go unnoticed, and will definitely be a nice change from the same old gift ideas that get thrown around. Maybe you’d prefer to give the gift of relaxation. If that’s the case, buy your guy a certificate to the masseuse to make sure all those stress knots are rubbed out. Some guys tend to be a little wary of taking part in pampering like this, so consider booking a couple’s massage so he doesn’t feel as strange. You’ll both leave feeling amazing—what better way to celebrate your love?