5 things to do and 5 things not to do on your first wedding anniversary
For the average husband, gift-giving occasions are always fraught with stress—there are a million things he could do wrong. If there’s one thing that still gives you butterflies in the pit of your stomach, it’s got to be that saber-toothed monster called ‘gifts and romance.’ She’s trying, really, but to him it seems like she always makes it by the skin of her teeth. Hit and miss, at best.
And for those of you who are about to celebrate your first wedding anniversary, you better make sure you get it right, and get it right the first time. This is a super special day and one that a new wife looks forward to with delicious anticipation. Your enthusiasm, of course, is considerably numbed by the furious confusion of your mind. Roses and diamonds? Letters and chocolates? A weekend getaway? You can’t make up your mind. No day is as fraught with risk as this! After all, your romantic skills are under the scanner.
Well, if you find yourself helplessly tossing and turning between bewildering options, let yourself be guided by these 5 simple (but life-savers) basic do’s and don’ts when it comes to successfully celebrating your first wedding anniversary.
Back:
1. Romance, romance and more romance. Women have a built-in miracle sponge that just soaks up all the romance they can extract from a relationship. There is room for more. And this is a day when you need to get all your imaginative ideas out of the mothballs. Be as romantic as possible and make her feel really special. Let your day begin and end on a romantic note. That means anything from taking over her morning chores and making her breakfast to taking her out for a whole day of fun and pleasure.
2. Three is not company today. This is a special moment for the two of you, so make it as intimate and memorable as possible for her. Whether you choose to spend the day at home or go on a hike, it has to be exclusive ‘couple’ time for both of you. Arrange for the grandparents or a babysitter to watch the kids (if any) just for this day and make your spouse feel like more than a harried stay-at-home mother and mom. Remember your dating years and the crazy fun you had.
3. The pen is mightier than the sword today. Don’t underestimate the power of the written word. Put your love for her in black and white (or whatever color ink you choose). A love letter is charmingly old-fashioned, and very refreshing for the same reason. In the age of email and instant messaging, this is still the best way to tell her how much you love her and why. He promises to love and care for her always. It will be a wonderful keepsake for years to come.
4. Do something different. How about revisiting all the romantic spots from your dating years? Make this a day of magical memories for her, a day to be fondly remembered even in your twilight ears. Did they meet in another city? Try to go and stop at special places, take pictures and let yourself be carried away by the charm of the moment.
5. Last, but definitely not least, make sure you give her a really special gift. Personalized jewelry, lush and elegant bath and spa products, personalized poems and photo montages are just a few of the anniversary presses you could choose from. The keywords here are ‘exclusive’ and ‘romantic’. Oh, and pay special attention to how the gift is packaged. Nothing detracts from the value of a gift quite like shoddy wrapping.
not to do:
If you want to avoid getting sent to the pound, stay away from these anniversary bloopers:
1. Don’t forget the date! There’s no rocket science to crack this one. Guys probably just aren’t wired to remember red-letter days like birthdays and anniversaries, but if you’ve said your ‘I do,’ you better make sure you don’t forget her anniversary or her birthday. Do whatever it takes not to stare at her when she starts giving you hints a week in advance. Keep this day free of appointments and work deadlines and take a day off if necessary. Put a reminder on your mobile, mark the date in your diary or ask a friend to remind you. Half the battle is won when you haven’t forgotten, particularly when she expects you to!
2. Don’t grab the first gift you’re likely to see. Spend time choosing a really nice and thoughtful gift for her. She’s probably spending hours getting one for you, too. Nothing can be worse than a cheap and tacky gift (aside from forgetting the date, of course). This is not the day to hunt for bargains or look for a free offer. She is special and she deserves nothing less than the best.
3. Don’t spoil their mood by being rude, whether it’s a day before the anniversary or the day itself. A bad mood and hurt feelings do not bode well for a day as significant as this one. And even if an argument has taken place, eat a humble cake just to keep the peace on this day.
4. Don’t leave last-minute details to the last minute. Are you planning a dinner in a fancy restaurant? Don’t make last-minute reservations, even if you’re on good terms with the head waiter. You may call in sick that day. Important events need advance planning to avoid being on the receiving end of a nasty surprise.
5. Don’t spend long hours on the phone or on your laptop, even if you’ve taken the day off work. Nothing infuriates a woman more than grinning at a restaurant even when her partner is glued to her cell phone. Catch up with your friends at the pub the next night. Day and night is exclusively for her.
Get it right and it’s another high. So, relax and have a happy first wedding anniversary!