‘Happy anniversary. I still love you. Now would you mind hanging up the washing?’. Yep, the problem with domestic bliss is that it’s very much that; domestic. And as every couple in it for the long haul can attest, it’s hard to maintain the romance, the spark and the spontaneity year on year on year.
Yep, intimacy ad finitum needs some surprises if it’s to work. Here are some unique, super personal suggestions for the most important day of the year dedicated to celebrating your love; our 8 truly unique anniversary date ideas.
Recreate That First Meal
Whether it was a post-club Chicken Cottage or a three Michelin starred tasting menu marathon, we all remember the first food we shared with our not-yet-but-soon-to-be significant other. You can tell a lot about someone by the way they eat, and seeing as you’re now celebrating years together, we’re going to assume you liked what you saw.
So, as a totally romantic gesture, why don’t you recreate that first meal you shared, but this time, at home? Should it be a stretch to your skills, a shared cooking lesson as a bit of foreplay could be a really fun activity as a couple. Then, and only then, can you let your cooking do the talking.
Of course, you’ll want to leave your kitchen spotless in the process; there’s no bigger romance killer than a sink full of dishes, don’t you think?
An Annual Exchange Of Something Shiny
It can be a little heartbreaking. That once the engagement and wedding rings have been exchanged, you find yourself staring into the abyss – or at least until the fifteenth year crystal – trying to dream up a reason to give (and of course receive) some jewellery of significance. But hey, let’s not get bogged down by tradition.
Although anniversary gifts usually follow a set format, why not instead agree that each and every year on your anniversary you give the gift of something shiny? But which gift should you give for your milestone anniversary? Or any anniversary for that matter. Well, diamonds are a good place to start, seeing as they’re a girl’s best friend. And forever.
A Random Road Trip
We’ve already mentioned spontaneity, right? There’s no bigger romance killer than routine, we think, so instead of that annual weekend away in Paris, why not let chance dictate your next trip? Skyscanner (other flight comparison websites do exist) has a ‘destination everywhere’ feature which could help the random decision making happen whilst still taking price into account. Or, you could go old school and simply take an atlas, a pin, and let gravity dictate the rest.
Read: 12 airline industry secrets on how to get bumped up to business class
Curate A Trip Down Memory Lane
Nope, this isn’t the type of tour any self-respecting traveller fears. This is the very antithesis of that; a uniquely curated exploration of place and time completely personal to you and your partner. Yep, we’re talking about designing a tour of all of the most significant, special spots to you as a couple; where you first met, had your first kiss, your first meal, where you or your partner proposed, where you first said ‘I love you’ (you have said that already, right?), and so on. You get the picture, now paint it.
A Starry Night Of Dreams
Create an enchanting evening under the stars by planning a stargazing night. Find a secluded spot away from the city lights, perhaps a hilltop or a quiet beach, where the cosmos is on full display. Bring a cozy blanket, a telescope if you have one, and a guide to the constellations. Prepare a playlist of songs that have special meaning to your relationship and let the celestial dance above guide your night.
As you search the skies, name a star after your love, symbolising the eternal nature of your bond. End the evening by releasing sky lanterns with wishes for your future together, watching them float up into the night sky.
The Enchanted Garden Picnic
Transform your backyard or a local garden into a magical, fairy-tale setting. Prior to your anniversary, secretly plant flowers that hold significance to your relationship – perhaps the ones used in your wedding or the first bouquet you ever gave to your partner. On the day of your anniversary, lead your partner to this blooming surprise for a private picnic amidst the flowers.
Enhance the atmosphere with soft string lights, delicate china, and a spread of gourmet treats that include edible flowers. Share stories of your favourite memories and dreams for the future, all while surrounded by the beauty of nature that you’ve nurtured together.
The Time Capsule Adventure
Begin a new tradition by creating an anniversary time capsule. Spend the weeks leading up to your anniversary gathering items that represent the past year of your relationship—photos, mementos, love letters, and small tokens of shared experiences. On your anniversary, find a serene spot that holds significance to you both, perhaps where you first said “I love you” or a place you often escape to together.
Bury the time capsule with a promise to unearth it on a significant future anniversary. Mark the spot with a custom-engraved stone that has your initials and anniversary date. This ritual not only celebrates the past but also instills excitement and anticipation for the future discoveries of your love story.
Sunrise & Sunset
A metaphorical, poetic reading of your relationship, maybe, or just a really unique, romantic way to spend the day. Either way, hear us out; research the best places in your city for watching the sunrise and sunset and focus all of your attention on making those two moments, shared with your partner, as special as possible.
So, choose a day (near to your anniversary, naturally) when the sky is set to be clear, get up extra early and pack a picnic, find a vantage point and appreciate the natural world’s most romantic sight. Repeat for the end of the day’s setting, this time with a bottle of something sparkling (you didn’t pack one for the morning did you?) and you have yourselves two bookends to your special day. Perfect.