5 things to do and 5 things not to do on your first wedding anniversary

For the average husband, gift-giving occasions are always stressful—there are a million things he could do wrong. If there’s one thing that still gives her butterflies in the pit of her stomach, it has to be that saber-toothed monster called ‘gifts and romance.’ She is trying, really, but it seems to him that she always succeeds because of the skin on his teeth. Hit and miss, at best.

And for those of you who are about to celebrate your first wedding anniversary, you better make sure you do it right, and do it right the first time. This is a super special day and one that a new wife looks forward to with delightful anticipation. Your enthusiasm, of course, is considerably dampened by the raging confusion of your mind. Roses and diamonds? Cards and chocolates? A weekend getaway? You can’t decide. No day is as full of risks as this one! After all, your romantic skills are under the scanner.

Well, if you find yourself tossing around helplessly between bewildering options, let yourself be guided by these 5 simple (but life-saving) basic dos and don’ts when it comes to successfully celebrating your first wedding anniversary.

Behind:

1. Romance, romance and more romance. Women have a built-in miracle sponge that just soaks up all the romance they can get out of a relationship. There is room for more. And this is a day when 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 her breakfast to taking her out for a whole day of fun and pleasure.

2. Three is no 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 an outing, it has to be exclusive ‘couple’ time for both of you. Arrange for grandparents or a babysitter to watch the kids (if any) just for this day and make your spouse feel like more than just a mother and a harassed housewife. Think back to your dating years and the crazy fun you’ve had.

3. The pen is mightier than the sword today. Don’t underestimate the power of the written word. Put your love for her in black and white (or whatever color ink 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 best way to tell her how much you love her and why. Promise to love her and take care of 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 to be fondly remembered even in your twilight ears. Did they meet in another city? Try to go and stop at special places, take pictures and let yourself be carried away by 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 presses you could choose from. The keywords here are ‘exclusive’ and ‘romantic’. Oh, and pay special attention to how the gift is packaged. Nothing detracts from the value of a gift like poor quality packaging.

not to do:

If you want to avoid being sent to the kennel, stay away from these anniversary bloopers:

1. Don’t forget the date! There is no rocket science to crack this one. Men probably just aren’t programmed to remember red-letter days like birthdays and anniversaries, but if you’ve said her ‘I do’, you better make sure you don’t forget her anniversary or her birthday. Do whatever it takes to not stare at her when she starts giving you hints a week in advance. Keep this day free from appointments and work deadlines and take a day off if you need to. Set a reminder on your mobile, mark the date on your agenda or ask a friend to remind you. Half the battle is won when you haven’t forgotten, particularly when she expects you to!

2. Don’t grab the first gift you’re likely to see. Take time to choose a really nice and thoughtful gift for her. She’s probably spending hours getting one for you, too. Nothing can be worse than a cheap and tasteless gift (apart from forgetting the date, of course). This is not the day to hunt for bargains or search for a free offer. She is special and she deserves nothing less than the best.

3. Don’t spoil her mood by being rude, whether it’s the day before the anniversary or the day itself. A bad mood and hurt feelings do not bode well for a day as significant as 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 to the last minute. Are you planning a dinner in a fancy restaurant? Don’t make reservations at the last minute, even if you’re on good terms with the head waiter. You can call in 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 work. Nothing infuriates a woman more than grinning through clenched teeth in a restaurant even when her partner is glued to her cell phone. Catch up with your friends at the pub the next night. Day and night is exclusively for her.

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