Need Ideas for Anniversary Present

Updated on November 12, 2009
B.H. asks from Troy, MO
26 answers

My anniversary is next weekend and I can't think of a good gift to give my husband. His work has been slow this year so we don't have a lot of money to spend but I wanted to give him something great. He has been kind of down on himself because he hasn't been working much and feels like he's failing as a provider in our house. This of course is not the case as I see it so that's why I wanted to get him something great. We won't have the kids for the weekend and already have dinner plans so dinner is taken care of. He is the typical guy that loves to hunt and fish and actually picked out a deer stand he wants me to get him. Problem is it's $80 and we just don't have the money to spend on that right now. So if anyone has any great CHEAP ideas for a special anniversary present I am open for ideas.

Thank you so much ladies for all your help in advance!

B.

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L.F.

answers from Springfield on

How about a wonderful full-body massage with some special oils and back rub/scratch in a cutsie outfit for as long as he wants followed by...whatever!! You can make a fancy coupon on the computer "redeemable tonight Only!" Then, get him his favorite pie or dessert...most men are won through the tummy!! Best wishes, and many more. This is the stuff that memories are made of.

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C.G.

answers from Columbia on

My husband also loves to hunt. Like the other's have said, maybe a gift card for the deer stand. I also agree that if he has his mind set on this, it might be the best bet. But, if you want to go a different route, this is what i did for my husband's birthday once. He has neck problems and always wants me to rub his neck so I went to the store (you can get these things at Walmart, Target, etc) and got some aromatherapy scented heated neck pillows, foot warmers, massage oil, and candles and set the room up like a spa. It costs maybe around $20.

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L.G.

answers from Kansas City on

One year for Valentine's we had NO money, so I wrote a list of "101 things I love about you". I happened to have some nice paper so I printed it out on that, and bought a little tri-fold frame for it. It took me a little bit to size it to fit, but it worked out great! At first I thought I would only end up with 10-15 things, but once you get going it got easier.

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H.M.

answers from Kansas City on

All you need are some things you probably have around the house already so this could be free to do but has an awesome impact!

This works best on a day when you will be apart most of the day. On that morning, leave a stack of envelopes for him somewhere (by the front door). Put the first envelope in the bathroom for him to find when he's getting ready for work (this one will have instructions in it). On the front of each envelope will be the time of day, one for each hour from 7am-10pm (or whatever time fits his schedule). Inside each envelope put a special message of love written by you and even pictures or simple little gifts.

Here's some ideas:

7:00am
Honey, by the time the day is over, I want one thing to be perfectly clear in your mind-the fact that I love you. After you take your shower and get ready, take the stack of envelopes I left for you by the front door. Open each one only at the time marked on the outside of the envelope. I'll be thinking about you as you open them. Have a fun day!

12:00pm
You should be having lunch right now. I wish I could be there with you. Remember when we were dating and...(enter a special memory). I've enclosed a piece of gum for when you are done with lunch. I can't wait to see you tonight!

So, you get the idea. Start small and build up with each hour so that he's READY to come home! Spray one of the last ones with your perfume, put on lipstick and kiss one, put pictures of you on your wedding day. When I did this for my husband I got a little creative and didn't hand write all of them. On some, I cut words out of magazines and pasted them on paper just to make it more fun.

My husband isn't a super romantic guy but he LOVED this. It made his day!

Good luck!
H.
PS I got this idea from a book called Ways to Say I Love You.

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T.S.

answers from Kansas City on

Get creative!! Most men love to be "loved". So put on your sexy Victoria Secret and surprise him - take the initiative!

Good Luck and have fun!!

Another idea is to do something sentimental and maybe write him a letter of your last years love. Or even a poem.

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S.G.

answers from St. Louis on

Our 24th anniversary was last week and we are cutting back on expenses. So I had to get creative as well. I took one of our favorite pictures, from the digital camera. I put it in word and then typed his favorite scipture over the bottom of it. I blew it up to an 8.5x11 and put it in an 11x14 frame. The frame cost me $10 and the photo was printed out at Office Depot for only .59, he absolutley loved it. It was something that I felt good about givin him and I could tell he loved it the minute he saw it.

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A.C.

answers from Kansas City on

Something I did for my husband years ago was I got pink and red paper and cut out hearts...like over one hundred little hearts. I put little hearts all around the house on things like the tv remote, taped to his toothbrush, etc and each one I had written a special message like "u r my soul mate" and "I love you" and "you complete me" etc. Anyway, I did that with probably about ten hearts. Then, I had dinner ready but warming in the oven. I then had the bath tub filled and had little tea light candles all around the tub (they are cheap to buy) and had Kenny G music playing and was in a silk nightie and had all of the hearts leading as a trail from the garage up to the bath tub. On the door from the garage coming into the house, I had a sign that said "hope you had a great day. follow the trail". I had champagne waiting and I was sitting in the bathroom in my nightie waiting for him to come home...just candle light and music. The dinner is important for when you are done being romantic. Make sure you arrange to be alone that night.

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A.B.

answers from Wichita on

http://www.mandyscandywrappers1.com/. here they have some very nice things that they do. they can put pictures of you and your husband on a paint can. have them fill with is favorite candy. make it a romantic can.have very good ideas

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T.A.

answers from Wichita on

OK, being as you're a Slumber Parties consultant, you should have everything you need for a great anniversary present. My husband is a very down to earth guy, but his favorite presents are the ones only I can give him. I'm sure you get the idea. The kids will be gone, so you can plan a very special weekend just for the 2 of you. Since your husband's a hunter, you can't go wrong with 'Girl with a Gun' entertainment. You can use one of his guns (make extra sure it's unloaded) and do some sexy poses, an entertaining dance, strip tease, or whatever, with as little clothing as possible. (Maybe a hunting vest and cap with a pair of teeny, tiny panties.) Or you could wrap yourself with large ribbon and a card, all in strategic places, for the best gift he can get. Candles, wine (if you drink), music, and 'intimate time' somewhere other than your bedroom will be an anniversary he'll never forget. Start with some flirting and teasing at dinner to get his fire going. (Remember you're in public though, so keep it low-key.) Send the kids off, pull down the shades, and have some fun at home! There's nothing a husband likes more than his wife being sexy just for him. Trust me, he'll forget all about the deer stand.

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J.P.

answers from Kansas City on

Of course all of the "lovin'" the other ladies have suggested is the right kind of gift for a guy. But one of our favorite gifts I gave my hubby was a small 4x6 photo album that I wrote a book in. Each page had a memory from dating or whenever and then some sort of picture on the opposite pg to go along with it. It was all in chronological order too. One was our first date and another was a practical joke he pulled on me and another was how we were so poor in college we ate mixed veggies and gravy for dinner one night. It was really fun to write and to share. Now our little boy laughs at some of the stories. And if I can't think of an anniversary gift or am broke, I just add to the book. Kind of rekindles things.
Good luck and congratulations on another year.

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K.B.

answers from Columbia on

Our 10 year anniversary came just after I quit working to stay at home with our kids. Therefore, we were tight on finances as well. So I made a CD with my husband's favorite songs on it. I also recorded myself telling him how much I loved him. I made sure that the first song on the CD was "Danny's Song" by Loggins & Messina. That's the love song that has a line in it "Even though we ain't got money, I'm so in love with you honey" My husband really appreciated it and keeps it in his car so he can listen to it. Hope this helps and congratulations!

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L.S.

answers from Wichita on

Could you fix a decorated box with a picture on it of the deer stand and put some seed money (as much as you can) in it and tell your husband that your goal for both of you is to put money in the box to get him his deer stand, because he deserves it? And then make sure any extra money goes into the box?

I know how sensitive men can be about how they provide for their family. Which is a clear sign of their character. Some men won't work at all.

You might go on Freecycle.com and join and see if anyone has one to give away.

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K.L.

answers from St. Louis on

I relate. I'm married to an avid hunter/fisherman/outdoorsman. Once he has his heart set on a new piece of equipment, it's hard to really impress him with anything else, even though he would appreciate any loving gift and would not enjoy our anniversary less if we chose to only celebrate the gift we are to each other without other gifts. (I often feel the pressure of the required gift detracts from the point of the celebration anyway.)

My husband also works in an industry that has been hard hit this year, and we have had to tighten our belts several times over the years. One thing you might consider is seeing if the sporting goods store has a lay-away plan. You can put the lay-away voucher inside a well chosen card along with a note explaining how you are budgetting to complete the payments. You could even add that when you know what you want, it is worth the investment and the wait, and that you are grateful to have a partner who continues to invest his heart and soul into the life, the home, and the family you are building together, even when it requires patience and faith. If there is no lay-away plan available, pick up a money clip, savings box, piggy bank, etc., with a bit of money already in it and let him know how you plan to add to it. We have always been surprised at how much money can be raised by tossing our loose change in a jar at the end of each day!

Next month is our 35th anniversay. We muddled through many very tight years. Some of the token gifts we exchanged over the years have been long forgotten. But, the gift of learning how to pull together instead of apart; how to be each other's encourager in every situation rather than criticizing; discovering the power of 'us' and learning that we are more in love with 'us' than we are with each other -- these are the gifts we cherish most. Without the heart-wrenching difficulties and challenges we faced together, no amount of money could have purchased those gifts.

May your lives be richly blessed with the gifts you cherish most and may the spirit of your celebration strengthen the bonds of affection between you.

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L.W.

answers from Kansas City on

I've got it! I created a photo album for my NOT SO SENSITIVE hubby for Father's Day a few years back that could easily be modified for an anniversary. I know, I know. But this is the ONLY time he's ever cried! He, too, was struggling in his own eyes to adequately support us. So I made an inexpensive album of the top ten reasons "Your the best Daddy". You could do Top Ten Reasons I'm Glad I Married You. Include photos of the family. I chose my favorites and worked around them. IE: I had a pic of him at work. So I put "You work so hard to make sure we have everything we need". I also had the kiddos answer a few questions. The answers were silly, but perfect. "If I could buy Daddy anything in the world" and my 5 year old at the time said (tears here!) "a new red truck that didn't cost as much in gas as the other one did" Whoa... they hear everything, don't they! :)

If you want to do this and want photos I'm happy to scan some pages. Just let me know and give me an e-mail address.

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K.M.

answers from Kansas City on

Give him the gift of time and yourself. Think outside the box.
Can you afford two "cheap" steaks? Here you go....Hand him an envelope with instructions to go to the grocery store to buy two wonderfully inexpensive steaks and perhaps even a three dollar bottle of wine (it's the thought that counts) as he is at the store (if you haven't already done this part)prepare the bedroom with candles ( not lit yet) put candles around the tub, fill it and have it waiting - perhaps bubbles. Now here's how it plays out....Drop fake or real flower petals from the front door to the bathroom.
Leave a note at the door that says: Deposit Grocery Bag on floor and follow petals. Let him have his bubble/or not bath with a cold beverage while you prepare the steak dinner and have that on a candlelit table when he comes out...again following petals to the dinner table. Eat a wonderful dinner and From there you'll have to use your imagination! I did this for mine and he's still reminding me of it! Have fun and the skys the limit.

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L.B.

answers from St. Joseph on

Make up a coupon book for him...if you are a consultant for Slumber Parties then you probably already have some of these in stock...make your fitting to hubby...foot rub, back rub, naked shower time together, even into the bedroom and things you haven't done or don't do very often...tell him he can use all the coupons over the weekend or save some for another time...his choice. Take some of those ideas from the Slumber Party and make your own slumber party this weekend...I'm sure he'll be more than thrilled!

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S.H.

answers from Wichita on

What about a gift card to the place that sells the dear stand? That way youre enabling him to get it but not paying for it all when things are tight. He can put money in as he has it to get the gift. Just an idea! =)

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B.S.

answers from Kansas City on

My husband suggested a really romantic night of pampering your husband. Dress sexy and really cater to his "needs"...MIght not be your idea of a great present but that's coming from a man. What man doesn't love sex? Lol.

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T.R.

answers from Joplin on

have you seen the mossy oak or advantage lingerie? it's all camoflauge and in the same line as hunting stuff; have never heard of a guy who would be disappointed in lingerie. good luck!

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G.R.

answers from St. Louis on

Here is a suggestion why not get him a subscription to Field and Streams. There are some good article for both hunting and fishing.
G. R.

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A.P.

answers from Kansas City on

I understand your situation, we just celebrated our 5th aniversary and money is tight. Your husband seems to enjoy nature, why not pack a picknic and go to a wildlife preserve for lunch. Maybe you could take him to lunch at Cabella's or Bass Pro. I hear the Bass Pro Shoppe in Independence has a nice trail.

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A.F.

answers from Springfield on

Have you ever read "Sheet Music" by Dr. Kevin Leman? I recommend giving that or reading it yourself and applying some of the things you learn. It is all about building a better more intimate, more fulfilling marraige.
I will say after I first got it, my husband was a little afraid that I thought that things weren't good between us. However, now, he lays out chapters for me to be sure and read.
You could write out a list of all the things you appreciate about him. (I love that my husband changes diapers! and cleans the sink.) and then read them off to him that night. Maybe take awhile to sit down and think about what you take for granted about him. How would life change if he weren't in it? He needs to know that you think he is everything and maybe a reminder of the many different ways that he does provide for you and your family. My husband loves reassurance that he is a good father. I love to watch him interact with the kids, etc.
My first thought was that maybe you could enjoy some "appetizer's" before you leave the house. or Maybe a new piece of lingerie. Men are visual and you want him to be thinking about YOU and you want him to know that you thought enough of him to plan ahead. Even call him that day and let him know that you are wearing something new (or nothing) under your clothes and can't wait til he gets home. I hope that this is not offensive. I am just trying to be truthful about what I am sure he would love -- you. And the anticipation of being with you. You are setting the mood for him.

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H.H.

answers from Kansas City on

get a gift certificate for the amount you can afford to Bass Pro shop or Cabela's. If he hasn't already bought his hunting license that would be good too if he is going this year. My husband is an avid hunter and fishing man so he usually gets his fishing license for both MO and Ks for his birthday and hunting supplies for Christmas. Hunting accessories like the scentless deodorant and soap, cammo clothes if you see them on sale as they are pricey, but a gift card would probably work better as I don't know what he has already. Would also suggest the ammo for his hunting gun but you would need to know what size and grain he likes to use so the gift card would be better for that as well.
I would probably buy a nice card that says a lot about your relationship and get the gift card or put cash in it, then have a nice evening together without the kids. Maybe he gets cards/money from other family members and could have enough to get the tree stand he wants by combining them together or suggest that to others that give him gifts that they could all go in on it together.

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A.K.

answers from St. Louis on

Is there time to make him something? An album of photos? My daughter bought a picture frame, added letters that said I love you Dad and put in a picture of the two of them when she was little - he LOVED it! I made one of those knotted fleece throws with camo on one side and hunter orange on the other. I do believe that if you spend money, it will make him feel worse about his finances right now.

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R.A.

answers from Louisville on

Hi B. - a custom photo DVD is always entertaining AND sentimental! I can document you lives to this point, your wedding or anything in between, set it to music and create a custom DVD just for you!

Please check out my website: www.creativeDVDdesigns.com

On the Louisville Half-Off deal (radio) my $95 package will be listed for half off! So you could get that for $47.50.

Good luck!!

R.
Owner, Creative DVD Designs, LLC

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A.R.

answers from Springfield on

I went to a Slumber Party a few years ago...with a class of Sunday School teachers...all married of course....it was sooooo much fun!!

OK...you said your husband loves to hunt and fish...have you tried Craig's List for hunting and fishing gear? I've recently become addicted to Craig's List while looking for an inexpensive couch for my home...and there was some antique fishing lures for like....$7 ???? Great looking fishing poles and tackle boxes for next to nothing...could you get a couple of new rods, arrange childcare and take the two of you fishing and a picnic?

Think about other sports equiptment and would he want a day of quiet solitude to just fish by himself? Is his idea of fun teaching the kids to fish? Close to my home there is a trout farm, where I swear, you don't have to bait your hook, you just hold out a net and the fish jump in....LOL It's a great way to take the kids fishing and you are almost guaranteed they can catch their own dinner, yes, even the two year old...and they provide the poles, bait, and they gut, scale, and pack them on ice for you.

Can it get any easier?

Then you can grill them for dinner that very night...

That's what pops to mind today....let us know what you decide!

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