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Tip Store: Special Occasions: Anniversaries

​Photo Book of Memories

Congratulations on this milestone. Maybe a photo book of 20 years of photos...when you met, wedding, milestones in your lives.. with perhaps quotes from letters you wrote each other, words from friends and family.
​- Contributed by Vana Deac, 12th March 2013

Anniversary Ideas

Make up a book of gift vouchers. Be imaginative and create vouchers for things that your husband likes. The vouchers can be for things that are free. For example: This voucher entitles the bearer to a 30 minute massage. Or the vouchers can have a dollar value attached to them, such as coffee and cake (and you'd take him to a cafe, maybe by the beach or somewhere nice). The options are limited only by your imagination and the beauty of this is it can compliment a store bought gift.
​- Contributed by Carol Sadler, 12th March 2013

​Ode

For something personal that no one else will have is an Ode. I write Odes for people for special occasions and if you are interested I am happy to assist. If you would like more information please contact Cheapskates to get my email address. I do these for free.
​- Contributed by Gail West, 11th March 2013

​Have Fun

I would tell my husband to get dressed and take him out for the day, maybe starting with breakfast, an early movie then lunch. Make a fuss of him and give him a surprise gift, perhaps a watch or nice tie and shirt. Most of all show him your love good luck .
​- Contributed by Margaret Delsorte, 9th March 2013

​Give the Gift of an Unforgettable Experience!

For a special celebration, like your 20th wedding anniversary, instead of giving a trinket, or item that your husband may not like/need/use, why not give him the gift of an unforgettable experience that he would love and that will be a treasured memory forever. Examples could be a hot air balloon ride, sky diving, tickets to track day where you get to drive or ride on a professional race track. Best wishes for a lovely anniversary.
​- Contributed by Kelly Raithel, 8th March 2013

A Gift for a Loved One

Husband For my husband's last birthday, I cooked a nice steak and baked potato dinner with birthday cake and ice cream. I set the table special. The kids enjoyed wearing party hats. Also, I did the extra chores around the house that he usually does, like taking out the rubbish, without telling him. He really enjoyed finding things already done throughout the week.
​- Contributed by Jeannie Tanner, 8th March 2013

​20 Reasons Why

I tend to be a bit of a romantic and love to give original and personal gifts. Apart from the modern and traditional 20 year anniversary gifts (products made from platinum or china - head to Google for any ideas here!) my first thought was to create a photo collage board of your years together. Firstly compile a list of the 20 most important reasons why you love your husband. Some examples could be because he makes you feel safe; his quirky smile; his sense of humour; his fabulous (or even not so fabulous!) body; the way he talks to the dog when he doesn't think anyone can hear...... Etc. etc. It doesn't matter if your reasons are romantic, silly, serious or ridiculous - just as long as they are how you truly feel. Now go through your albums and/or memory sticks and pick a photo of your man that is special to you and ties into the reasons you listed. (It could be a pic of him in his groovy pink shorts from years ago that screams out 'I don't care what anyone else thinks'!). If you have trouble with finding a picture to go with your reason, then you can always 'make' a relevant picture using just objects. Find a pair of pink shorts (see above) and take a photo of them draped near his pillow or with his thongs/shoes etc. Don't forget that you can raid other peoples albums as well. They may have the perfect picture that you didn't even know existed! Now head off to your local photo shop and create your memory board/canvas print or framed photo collage - professional shops can help you - or you can create your own at places like Kmart and Harvey Norman. You can be as frugal with this or extravagant as you want - it will all depend on the size, framing, finish type and the amount of detail that you would like on the finished product. You can attach your list to the back of the print for him or add the reasons into the collage under each photo. It depends on whether you want other people to see the '20 reasons why' or not. This is a gift that shows thought, time and love as well as whatever amount of $ that you want to spend. It's also something that can be kept and stay with you for hopefully another 20 years!! Congratulations to you both on achieving this special milestone.
​- Contributed by Laurie Harris, 8th March 2013

​Memories

Congratulations on your anniversary! How about a photo collage of key moments during your life together. You can get a multi photo picture frame from most discount stores (including Kmart and Big W) and you can cut your photos to fit.
​- Contributed by Karen Blackshaw, 7th March 2013

​Light on the Budget Heavy on Love

I wanted to give my dad an amazing 80th birthday gift as he is not big on pointless gifts I had to search hard. I found an idea that you can adapt to any occasion. You take a deck of new cards approximately $3 and come up with 52 reasons why they are loved/fabulous/admired etc. You type each one into a box (try size first) and then glue each one onto a card. In my case I got my 5 boys to come up with 52 reasons why we love Grandad. It can be as simple as "he always buys me vanilla milk". My dad was over the moon and now is in my mums handbag ready to show anyone who will listen. We also played cards with them on his birthday all saying aloud each card we had. We also printed his photo on the card box. A gift of hold under $5.
​- Contributed by Sue Fitzpatrick, 7th March 2013

​20th wedding Anniversary

We celebrated our 20th wedding Anniversary by renewing our vows. We invited only a handful of close friends ,booked a restaurant in a resort and organised a celebrant to come and do a ceremony at sunset by the lake. It was very special and only cost us celebrant costs and dinner. I even made the 3 tiered cake and bought it with us, bought a dress on sale and had our kids as attendants.
​- Contributed by Michelle Gibson, 7th March 2013

​20th Anniversary Gift

​The modern gift for the 20th anniversary is Platinum, so a new wedding ring made from Platinum would be a great gift. Then engrave it with your wedding date or a special message would be amazing. - Contributed by Melissa Briscoe, 7th March 2013

Anniversary Gift

As you said you have money put aside so you didn't want this tip to be too frugal I suggest buying a couple massage voucher from Groupon or Cudo and then come home to your own private romantic candlelit dinner which you could pre-cook beforehand. Happy 20th Anniversary.
​- Contributed by Kerry Caldicott, 7th March 2013

​Wedding Anniversary

With my daughter, we gave my husband a flying lesson. the flight took them over our home and he was given the opportunity to fly himself. He was exhilarated.
​- Contributed by Lynn Dingley, 7th March 2013

​Anniversary Suggestions

It's hard to make suggestions without knowing what kind of interests your husband has! But here are some ideas: a signed and framed jersey/other memorabilia from his favourite sports team or band or actor hot laps in a supercar or drift car hire a sports car for a day/weekend and go for a little trip to wineries or B&Bs or any other attractions he might like a chartered fishing trip an adventure from redballoon.com such as a hot air balloon ride vintage whiskey pool table arcade game monogrammed/custom items such as cuff links, tie pin, flask, golf clubs, watch etc. Consider also having a look at thisiswhyimbroke.com for funny/clever ideas (Batman snuggie, beer bottle chandelier, etc!). Congratulations on your anniversary and best of luck!
​- Contributed by Sam Hudson, 7th March 2013

​A Completed Brag Book is a Welcome Gift

Having an invitation to a 60th Wedding Anniversary, I was at a loss for a gift, so I bought a small handbag size photo album and gave it to the happy couple on the day of the party. I then took photos of them and all their guests, the presents, cake etc had the photos printed the next day. I took them around to their house, put them in the album and they had instant memories and a brag book to show all their big day.
​- Contributed by Colleen, Cressy, 7th May 2010