Anniversary Present

Some of the best presents I've heard of aren't material at all but experiences. My husband would love to go to racing school for a day, I'm doing that this year. Or hire a private chef for a special dinner, or take a cooking class together. Maybe take a course in massage, or do a couples massage (bonus for you too!)

It should be a celebration of your marriage not family and remind him of why he fell in love with just you.my husband isn't picky and loves to get new shirts/ties for work, special cufflinks, anything that means something to us, even inside joke type stuff. There are some good ideas at www.redenvelope.com and www.uncommongoods.com, there's a cute pair of "eye do" cufflinks made out of dollar bills to remind him that you "still do" that I want to get!

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Jackie
I have read alot of good suggestions but no one has put (and I have done) write him a poem of your life together or about him and how you see him, take finger paints and paint the childrens hands and yours all different colors and put them on a piece of paper for him to keep at work or in his wallet (my husband LOVED this when he got it on a deployment) or for our 7th anniversary I took him to see the monster trucks. My husband isn't athletic but loved to watch them live. I knw these aren't the normal things to do but who doesn't need a little fun in thier lives :) Happy Anniversary and most of all HAVE FUN!!

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Jackie,

I don't know if you have this in Salem, but see if there's a Kids N Clay near your house or another pottery type place. You can take your kids in there, have them make something out of clay for Dad, paint it and cook it. Or, they can pick something out that's already made and paint it.

Hope this helps,
M.

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Hey Jackie,
Your anniversary is a time for you and your husband. Hire a babysitter and plan a romantic evening out. Try the City Grill in Portland or El Gaucho. Go to a movie or spend some time relaxing in a romantic piano bar listening to soft jazz or blues. Too often we forget that keeping the marriage romantic and fun (in an adult way) is just as important as going to Chucky Cheese with the kids. Let your husband know that you love him! There is plenty of time for family outings.
Happy Anniversary,
K.
P.S. My husband and I will be celebrating our 37th this October!

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I bounced this off of my hubby (who also has pretty much everything and buys what he wants) and asked him if he had any suggestions. He gave me a lewd chuckle and suggested that HE would prefer "something special" just from me for an anniversary gift. He said something special involving the kids would be nice for his birthday . . . but he personally would like the anniversary to be kind of a celebration of the marriage (not the family).

(Guess I know what to do for MY hubby on our next anniversary (which is at the end of this month!).)

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Every anniversary I spend hours on the internet looking for gift ideas for my husband. It's not easy. This year I found some anniversary sites that had some creative ideas. One was a painting that was done custom to fit your memorable moments. I can't remember what the site was so you'll have to do some research but it was really cool. They did a whole picture that included your history together in it, such as the place you met,or where you got married, or a trip you took etc. Anyway, I thought it was pretty neat. Red Envelope. com also has some anniversary gifts. Good luck!

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Hey Jackie! Instead of getting him anything you could just do something that he likes to do with him....does he like to golf, play basketball, hunt? Or find something you both would typically not do together and do that. We always love NW 23rd in downtown Portland...it's a pretty romantic street and has some great shops and restaurants. A great restaurant off 23rd which is cozy and romantic (and delicious) is Urban Fondue. And if he is a big meat eater....there is a great restaurant downtown called Brazil Grill....the ultimate meat eating experience, check out their website, it's pretty cool. There have been years for us where we couldn't afford anything, so I would suprise him at work with his favorite candy bar and then I would make his favorite meal and then do a dessert with the kids at home? Then dig out some old lingere for later that night! Maybe you could go to his favorite store and have the kids pick out something they think daddy would like! That could be fun:-) I think it's awesome that you are putting thought and planning into your anniversary! I know that with kids, it sometimes gets a bit ignored! Hope it turns out great!

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Some gift ideas: go to a paint your own pottery studio and find a nice bowl, plate, vase or whatever then have your kids hands/foot prints on them with some paintings. Get a sweat shirt or t shirt with a pix of your kids on it.
Other ideas: get a double romantic massage for both of you, or a day at a bath house or hot springs get away. Or just a gift certificate for a dinner for two at your favorite restaurant. That way, you both get something nice.

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Get Grandma to take the kids for the night, then just spend quiet time together. Take a bubble bath together, sip wine, whatever make you happy, and use the time to reconnect as lovers and friends rather then as co-parents.

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I say get a babysitter! That's the best anniversary present I've gotten. Then get some concert tickets or go to something that you both liked to do before you had kids :-)

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Whenever someone has 'everything' I usually recommend an experience gift. Think picnic with the entire family, or romantic dinner at his favorite restaurant. If he enjoys being pampered think candles, bubble bath & massage oils in scents he likes packaged together with a handwritten note that says "let me know when I can take care of you..." Hope this helps get the ideas flowing for you :o)

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I have this problem every year!! The best I've ever done (I think he liked the best), was to surprise him with a limo ride to a nice restaurant as a family. After dinner, we got to drive around "crusing" to see the lights in Portland. It was fantastic. Kids go crazy with all the lights in the limo, men are "big kids".... it was fun for everyone. He knew we were going out, (that was he was dressed for it) he was just floored when the limo drove into our driveway!

Good luck!
J.

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I would get, if you can, professional pics of you and the kids with something to do about dad. I think that would be something sweet. Or you and the kids can make a small scrapbook together about why you and they love the dad in your life. :D

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Is your husband involved in any sports? My hubby loves to golf. Getting him a gift certificate to a course and some balls absolutely makes his day!
S. V.

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Summers coming, it's a great time for a fun outing like the Oregon Zoo (a Dinosaur Exhibit will be coming end of this month) you can check their website. Easy trip for all age kids and quite fun and you can make a picnic out of it. I'm a SAHM of 3 boys 6,4,2 and we recieved tickets for Christmas one year, one of our best family gifts yet.

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Make him a coupon book. Coupons could include things like a massage, romantic evening, stuff like that. You know him better, so make them custom to him. Think of his love language, and consider that when making the coupons. Make him a nice, romantic dinner and give him the coupon book.

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I just wanted to say that strangely I am also married to a Jason and yesterday was our 4 year anniversary...and we have a 3 year old boy (named Quincy). I am in the same predicament with what to get him. What did you end up doing? I'm still stuck.

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Jackie,
I had a portratit of myself done for one of our anniv. one year because I have the same type of husband. We hd been married longer and he never had a picture of just myself.

Good luck
S.
married almost 18 yrs, mother of three girls,12yrs,9yrs and almost 5yrs

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Hi Jackie,
Buying presents for our husbands is a hard job... What I like to do, and I have not done it much, is to make something for him. Like make him a coupon for his favorite dinner, or a date night. Make a coupon that will allow him to have a massage when he wants one. Does he have any hobbies? THis might be a little girly, but make a scrap book with pictures of him doing his hobbies or even with the kids. I always think that the best presents are homemade. I wish I was more creative like my sister in law, but I am very good at make cookies and stuff. Another idea is to make him a dozen cookie, roses, and have them sent to his work. If you want more ideas on cookie things I used to own my own cookie store and I can tell you some things to do.. ____@____.com

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Congrats jackie to #4! Think outside the box/fun - hot air balloon ride...gift certificate from your first
date(s) ie restaurant. I gave a massage/spa package in a basket with a CD/wine. My husband had never had a massage before and loved it. As a matter of fact, we are going today for a massage that he planned this time. I am so looking forward to it...I guess if he doesn't like it you can always go in his place. :-) Good luck! M.

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Hi Jackie,

I wanted to say HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to you!! :o)

I don't really have any advice since my hubs is pretty much the same way. I know he doesn't have *everything* he wants, especially since he always wants reeeeeeally expensive things, and cheaper versions don't always work so well, but whenever it is something more easily purchased, he usually gets it for himself.

A couple years ago, he was wanting an RC helicopter. I had been waiting until Christmas and was going to get it for him when I had the money, but he turned around and bought one for himself. Had to spend way more than I intended and buy him another plane instead. At least it was one he wanted.

Anyhoo, our 19th(WOW!) anniversary is June 1, and I have no clue. You have got some terrific ideas here though, and I may use some of them, if that would be okay? I was also thinking of going somewhere nice on the beach for that weekend.

I *do* agree that this day should be about the two of you. Father's Day is next month. Plan something special with the kids for dad then.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you both have a wonderful time!

K. W

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I got my husband a keychain watch engraved with his initials and there is a spot inside for a picture (like of the kids or your whole family) or I got my brother just a square (masculine) keychain with his initials and put pics of his two kids inside. I got them on Redbook.com. I think they're pretty cool, but I guess it depends on the guy!! Have fun!

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Jackie,
My husband is the same way. We have been married for over 10 years and I am always at a loss for any special occasion. This will sound wierd, but get him a gift certificate for a massage. My husband just loves them. The pointe day spa has 3 or 4 locations to choose from and they are great. their website is www.thepointespa.com .I've even seen a man going in for a facial.
Good luck

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Get come construction paper and some finger paints and let the kids make hand prints and maybe turn them into cards. Their hands are only that small once, and it would probably mean a lot to your husband. Its something I did for my husband and he loved it.

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Hi Jackie,
My husband is hard to buy for too... because he never really wants anything. What he likes best is something personal from me or something he can do. Last year for his birthday I got him a private surfing lesson and all equipment over in Seaside (it was only 135 for 3 hours. So maybe you can find an activity your husband likes or wants to try? Rafting, kayaking, etc?
If all else fails.. cook him his very favorite meal!

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I like everyone's ideas. Last year my husband bragged about one particular gift for our anniversary. SIMMS hip waders with the boots. I know-huh? You could buy those dice with words on them - Kiss/ear- hold/hands and play strip poker when you are alone one night. Something silly where you laugh. Good luck. -mother of 18 mos. old son( 11 year anniv.)

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there is this cool company called mountain girl silver and they are in west linn. one of their products is "dog tags" with your kids' names and bday or a design on them. i love their stuff. check them out at mountaingirlsilver.com

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Does he do well with surprises? Could you simply arrange for an overnight (grandparents/siblings/friends?) for your 3 yr-old, and babysitter for your 5-mo old and take him out to a relaxing dinner alone, and maybe even a movie or show?

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I'm sure he'd love you wrapped up in some new lingerie - they can never get too much of that, and he wouldn't be disappointed!

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Well what type of work does he do? If he works in an office you could get him a sticky note pad that has there picture on it. Kinko's will do that. Or how about a digital picture frame, or a mouse pad with pics on it for his desk.
If it's not a desk job then maybe a coffee mug that has their pictures on it, or an engraved key chain. Wallgreens does all that kind of stuff or snapfish.com.
Or a subscription to his fav. magazine.
Good luck!

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