Five tips and five things not to do for your first wedding anniversary

For the average husband, gift giving occasions are always fraught with stress – there are a million things he could do wrong. If there’s one thing that still gives you butterflies in the pit of your stomach, it has to be that saber-toothed monster called “gifts and romance.” He’s trying, really, but it seems to him that he always does it with the skin of his teeth. Hit and miss, at best.

And for those of you who are about to celebrate your historic first wedding anniversary, then you better make sure you get it right, and get it right the first time. This is a super special day and one that a new wife looks forward to with delicious anticipation. His enthusiasm, of course, is considerably dulled by the furious confusion in his mind. Roses and diamonds? Cards and chocolates? A weekend getaway? You can’t make up your mind. No day is as risky as this! After all, your romantic skills are under the scanner.

Well, if you find yourself helpless between puzzling options, let yourself be guided by these 5 simple (but life-saving) basics you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to successfully celebrating your first wedding anniversary.

Behind:

1. Romance, romance and more romance. Women have a miracle sponge built in that just soaks up all the romance they can get out of a relationship. There is room for more. And this is a day where you need to get all your imaginative ideas out of mothballs. Be as romantic as possible and make her feel really special. Let your day begin and end on a romantic note. That means anything from taking care of her morning chores and making breakfast for her, to taking her quickly for a full day of fun and pleasure.

2. Three is not company today. This is a special moment for the two of you, so make it as intimate and memorable as possible for her. Whether you choose to spend the day at home or go on a hike, it has to be an exclusive ‘couple’ time for both of you. Arrange for grandparents or a babysitter to take care of the children (if there are any) for this day just and make your spouse feel like more than a mother and a harassed stay-at-home mom. Remember your dating years and the crazy fun you’ve had.

3. Today the pen is more powerful than the sword. Don’t underestimate the power of the written word. Put your love for her in black and white (or whatever ink color you choose). A love letter is charmingly old-fashioned and very refreshing for the same reason. In the age of emails and instant messaging, this is still the number one way to tell her how much you love her and why. Promise me to love and appreciate her always. It will be a wonderful keepsake for years to come.

4. Do something different. How about revisiting all the romantic spots from your dating years? Make this a day of magical memories for her, a day that she will remember fondly even in her twilight ears. Did you meet in another city? Try to go there and stop in special places, take pictures and surrender to the charm of the moment.

5. Last but definitely not least, make sure you give her a really special gift. Personalized jewelry, luxurious and elegant bath and spa products, personalized poems, and photo montages are just a few of the anniversary items you can opt for. The keywords here are “exclusive” and “romantic”. Oh, and pay special attention to how the gift is packaged. Nothing detracts as much from the value of a gift as poor quality packaging.

Not to do:

If you want to avoid getting sent to the dog house, stay away from these anniversary mistakes:

1. Don’t forget the date! There is no rocket science to decipher this. Men are probably just not programmed to remember days with red letters like birthdays and anniversaries, but if you’ve said your “yes, I do,” you’d better make sure you don’t forget your anniversary or birthday. Do whatever it takes to avoid staring at her blankly when she starts giving hints a week in advance. Keep this day free of appointments and work deadlines and take a day off from work if necessary. Set a reminder on your mobile phone, mark the date in your journal, or ask a friend to remind you. Half the battle is won when you haven’t forgotten, especially when she expects you to!

2. Don’t take the likely first gift you lay your eyes on. Take the time to choose a really nice and thoughtful gift for her. She’s probably spending hours buying you one too. Nothing can be worse than a cheap and tacky gift (aside from forgetting the date, of course). This is not the day to hunt for bargains or go for a free deal. She is special and deserves nothing less than the best.

3. Don’t spoil your mood by being rude, whether it’s the day before the anniversary or the same day. Sulking and hurt feelings don’t bode well for a significant day like this. And even if an argument has taken place, eat a humble cake just to keep the peace on this day.

4. Don’t leave last minute details for, well, last minute. Planning a dinner at a fancy restaurant? Don’t make reservations at the last minute, even if you have a friendly relationship with the head waiter. You can report that you are sick that day. Important events need planning ahead to avoid being the recipient of an unpleasant surprise.

5. Don’t spend long hours on the phone or on your laptop, even if you’ve taken the day off from work. Nothing infuriates a woman more than grinning through clenched teeth in a restaurant even when her partner is glued to her mobile phone. Catch up with your friends at the pub the next night. Day and night are exclusively for her.

Get it right and it’ll be another high. So, relax and have a happy first wedding anniversary!