Coming up in September is my first wedding anniversary, and three days after that is my husband's twenty-fifth birthday. Clearly something special is called for (on both counts!); it's been a rather difficult six months, and I want to make sure he knows how much I appreciate his support. I've got a couple of plans percolating (some syrupy-sweet writings for the anniversary, and a surprise birthday party with his buddies for the birthday), but I want to get him gifts I can wrap! They don't have to cost much at all, but I want him to smile when he opens them. Here are the problems:

1. Books have been a success in the past, but I've already shared with him pretty much every book I've ever read and liked.

2. The gifts can't be very large due to logistical constraints.

3. Anything for the anniversary can't be perishable, because we'll be celebrating in a seriously jet-lagged way after a trip abroad.

4. It has to be great, because he is fantastic at giving gifts, and just this once I want to do as good a job.

I realize that none of you know the man, but what gifts have you enjoyed giving or receiving? Any broad genres of gift that most people overlook? Help, please!

Subscriptions are always welcome , in my case, as they last. I mean for magazines, clubs etc.
CD's? DVD's? A really nice, well framed professional photo of you? An engraved mug for his beer?I expect someone here will come up with something brilliant as we are an imaginative bunch.

Perhaps you will find something special while you are abroad. A souvenier of your trip.

The first wedding anniversary by tradition is celebrated with paper. Is he a sports enthusiast? If so, how about a season ticket to view his favorite team? Or a ticket to hear his favorite group or see his favorite show?

Good luck and congratulations!!

Thanks for the ideas! He's a difficult one to shop for. No time to read any subscriptions but the ones we have, doesn't drink beer, not a big sports fan -- he's very tough! And I don't think I'll be able to get away on the trip for any length of time, as I need him with me as a taste tester (clever me: we're going to a country where I'm deathly allergic to a very common element of the cuisine).

I like the DVD and concert ideas, and I'll keep my eyes open for suitable souvenirs and appropriate distractions (go take some pictures for me on that mountain, will you dear?) I hadn't thought of using tickets to satisfy the paper theme.

And thanks for the congratulations, too. :-) Our anniversary weekend will also be our first weekend living together at home for six months (I've been out-of-state for work, and I am never doing that again!) So it will certainly be special, even if I screw up the presents.

CD,

I often do this at Christmas time for those that I am not 100% sure about.

While I know the basics of what h/she likes and does not like, it is always harder to find one specific gift that will satisfy me, so that I may give the gift.

So, on that note, I normally, get a few of the things h/she likes and put them in a decorative basket, or bag, etc.

However, if your husband enjoys anything in particular (like art, or certain musical enterntainers), you can have a color photo of said printed out, place it around a basket, and inside place the items that he likes.

I often find as well, that sometimes while looking for something different, the person usually enjoys things that are comforting to him or her. I sometimes go that route as well.

And congrats on the anniversary!



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Agnes (JTJ)