Shop Around for Wedding Anniversary Gifts
There's a list of traditional wedding
anniversary gifts that should be given each year. Although many couples
find these traditional items a little dull, there's still a lot
of "old fashioned" couples that follow this list on an annual basis.
Whether you're a modern couple
or an "old fashioned" couple, you have to admit that
some traditional wedding anniversary gifts are a little odd. If you're
confused by our term of 'traditional wedding gifts,' we're referring to
a traditional gift list that many couples follow on an annual basis.
For instance, according to this traditional
list, a newly wed couple's first year anniversary gift should
be...are you ready? Paper. Well, that's simple enough. We'll take money!
If only men read into things like us women do.
Instead, traditional men usually opt for cards, magazine subscriptions, personalized
journals,
engraved albums, and memo pads. Sounds a little boring,
doesn't it? If you're snoring at the idea of those gifts
than you're definitely more of a contemporary person. Nevertheless, you
can always give or receive a gift certificate as a traditional first
anniversary gift. It's paper, and you can purchase anything you
want with it. Now that doesn't sound so bad, does
it? Despite many couples' admiration of these traditional gifts, we advise
modern couples not to get caught in the traditional gift trap.
While that may sound harsh, we realize that the times are changing.
If paper didn't sound like an odd
enough gift to you, try the second year anniversary gift of...cotton. Yes,
cotton. You can almost see the scenario unfold before your eyes.
"Just what I wanted, a pillow!" Yikes.
Sometimes being non-traditional has its advantages. There are no guidelines to follow. Anything
and everything is open for consideration as a gift.
An excellent anniversary gift idea is a photo album. While it may
not sound very appealing, consider a solid finished wood album
with your family name engraved upon the cover, or "our family
memories." The album doesn't have to contain photographs. It can
be a scrapbook of your finest memories. Ticket stubs from
years
ago when you and your spouse were "dating," a
token from your wedding, images of your children. You can fill
an album with anything. Just remember to be creative. There's
a number of gifts that can say "I love you" on your
anniversary. Roses, cards, chocolates, and jewelry are all gifts that
express remembrance of your special day. But liven it up
a little! Try wrapping the gift yourself. Add something funny to
the card. Show your spouse that it wasn't a purchase which
required little effort. It was something that you thought about in advance.
Presentation is a very important aspect in gift
giving.
Forget about paper, cotton, and traditional gifts; unless of
course, you want to receive a box of Q-Tips for your
anniversary. That's a scary thought, isn't it? But here's the
point: There's not supposed to be a set of gift related rules!
Anniversaries are meant to be celebrated, not dreaded. Use your
imagination and surprise your spouse every year. Buy or make
something that you know your spouse will adore. It'll show that
you've put some thought into your gift. Remind them why they
fell in love with you, and they'll do it all over again.
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