7 answers

How to Make 10Th Anniversary Special

Hi Moms!

My husband and I will be celebrating our tenth anniversary on the 13th. I'm looking for unique and fairly inexpensive gift ideas for my husband.

He has stuck beside me through a lot of hardships especially through my cancer diagnosis in 2006 just 2 weeks after our third son was born. I want him to know how special he is to me and I know that I don't tell him often enough how appreciated he is.

Please share ideas for how to make our anniversary a special one.

What can I do next?

More Answers

If it's possible maybe you could arrange for your children to spend the night somewhere. Make a special supper, wear somethign special that he would enjoy and rent a movie that he would like (clint eastwood or whatever) his interests are and make a night all about the two of you - without any extra hassle or hustle!! Congrats!! 10 years is something to celebrate - enjoy!!

I know my husband likes it when we "get out".
Maybe plan a night away - Hotel, dinner, movie whatever.
Make sure you plan everything, make special efforts to pamper him. Doesn't have to be much: Food that he likes (strawberries, chocolate, beer :o)), Activities he likes (that maybe you don't - such as sports, scary/action movie) or wear something special for him - dress up, wear camo (for those hunters), slinkly lingerie. I think most men really are basic and don't Want Anything really except maybe a break from their day to day stress/work and to feel like they are truly appreciated and considered.
If you are looking for a "gift" idea. I am a consultant for a new unique jewelry party plan - Allura Designs. We do have a few Men's items such as tie tacks and key rings. I would be happy to offer you a 25% discount if this is something that you think would appeal to him. You can check out the items at www.snowflakegems.com and just mention that I made this offer to you.

Best of luck and Congratulations.
C.

HI J.,

Lots of good suggestions here. Almost everyone universally wants to be acknowledged, accepted, appreciated, and have affection. If you plan your celebration with that in mind your husband will feel loved, and especially blessed to be loved by you!

How to best do that is the key?

Give some thought to what things your husband appreciates most? Most of us have experiences that make us feel appreciated, valued, acknowledged and loved. We tend to express our love and appreciation in the ways that feel best to us. For instance if you really appreciate someone doing little things around the house, then you tend to express your affection by doing little things (acts of service) for others. You might gets hints about your husband's 'love language' by thinking of the ways he expresses affection and appreciation for you.

Gary Chapman author of the "Five Love Languages" breaks it down into five different categories. "Quality Time, Acts of Service, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Physical Touch". Of course we each might appreciate all of these in different levels and varying degrees but there will usually be a top two.

Consider planning your acknowledgement around the ways that you believe are your husband's love language. If you Google it, you can find lots of more information if you have any doubts about what his love language(s) may be.

So for instance, if he most values words of affirmation, then be sure your gift includes expressing (saying or writing) much of what you appreciate about him. If it's touch, then you could include a warm towel and massage. If it's quality time, then plan plenty of time to do whatever it is he would most like to do. If it's acts of service, then think of things you can do to make his life a little easier or to surprise him.

When it comes to archetypes I think most men love to be acknowledge for their role and importance as 'heroes' to their family, and especially to their wife!

My daughter made a photo montage for Mother's Day and Father's Day, a variety of photo images with music playing, where they fade in and out. You can do one for free on most photo sites included Walgreen's com, or on your own computer. I think Windows will do one for you automatically too. You can choose meaningful music and that is a gift that your husband can enjoy for many, many years.

You might want to put something together for him as a keepsake with the idea of "Legacy" in mind. The gifts he has passed on to his children, to you, and all the lives he has touched. "Every-Day Heroes" The people who do what needs to be done every day to keep our families happy, healthy and together. Creative ways to let him know that all his efforts have made a huge difference and will continue to influence the world for generations.

You mentioned keeping the price down so I assume that many sacrifices have been made to have the kind of family that you guys value and appreciate. There are many ways to acknowledge those sacrifices.

The people that invented the game Monopoly did so because they had been planning a trip but found out they were going to have another baby and their plans for great adventures and 'abundance' had to once again be put 'on hold'. So they created a game where they could imagine all the things they 'might' have done.

Many parts of your theme could be based on something like that as well.

Hope this helps!

Let us know how things turn out.

Congratulations on your many accomplishments!!! Being a Mom is 'the toughest job you'll ever love', the Marines just stole our 'tagline'.

Many blessings J.!

Hi J.,
Congrats on your anniversary! One year I gave my hubby a knight figurine from the toy department at Target. In the card, I told him that he's my "knight in shining armor." It was kind of silly and I think it cost maybe $10, but I know it meant a lot to him because he still keeps it in his locker at work.
Good luck!
Sara

Well I typed in Unique guy gifts and the first thing that came up had a lot of hilarious but inappropriate gifts. So I guess it depends on what type of unique gift. Funny, sweet, memorable. yourmemorylane.com has a great idea for a gift. I guess for 10 yr it would be tin or aluminum would be the traditional type. you could look on redenvelope.com
They had some cute stuff, especially if your guy wears suits. Hope you find something great and happy anniversary. We will be celebrating that one next year.

Go back to where you both started it all. If you can, go to your old stompping grounds from your dating days like a favorite restaurant, or do some sort of activity that was significant to you early in your relationship. Wear a special piece of clothing or jewlery if you still have it...you get the idea.

For our 10th, DH proposed to me all over again under the arches/entrance to our college campus (campus tradition was actually to "kiss" your special person - something that went way back in the school's history from before it went co-ed).

We then had dinner at the restaurant where we had dinner the day we got engaged. We then looked at yearbooks and photos from when we were dating and in school and had a total hoot seeing how we've changed. The best part was our priest had us write each other love letters the week before our wedding, to be saved and opened years later on our 5th or 10th anniversary. We picked the 10th and it was fantastic seeing what he had to say then, and have him reconfirm he still felt that way and more.

I made a mix cd, with songs from when we met, when we were dating, married, had children, bought our house, today and the future. Then for each song, I wrote a description why it reminded me of him/us. (I included our first dance song, etc....) The very last song was "this old guitar" by John Denver and I gave him a guitar as he played a bit as a child and I would love for him to pick it back up when time allows. :)

Required Fields

Our records show that we already have a Mamapedia or Mamasource account created for you under the email address you entered.

Please enter your Mamapedia or Mamasource password to continue signing in.

Required Fields

, you’re almost done...

Since this is the first time you are logging in to Mamapedia with Facebook Connect, please provide the following information so you can participate in the Mamapedia community.

As a member, you’ll receive optional email newsletters and community updates sent to you from Mamapedia, and your email address will never be shared with third parties.

By clicking "Continue to Mamapedia", I agree to the Mamapedia Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.