1 Year Anniversary - ideas for my g/f

Djmitch21

Hi All,

I need some ideas, and obviously the MSE chat forum is the best place to come!

It is my g/f and I's 1 year anniversary at the end of the month, and I really want to show her what a great year it has been, however, I am on a bit of a budget.

I will be taking her to one of her favourite restaurants but that's not going to be a surprise (we've been putting money into a kitty for the last couple of months - it's a pricey restaurant!). So I was wondering if anyone had any ideas (I know there have been a lot in other threads eg valentines) to make things a wee bit special for her.

If it helps, she's into music, travelling (not sure I can afford another holiday though!), eating out, shopping - usual girly things!

Any suggestions would be great!

Cheers

Dene

Swattie

You could always book her in for a facial, indian head massage, reflexology session or something similar before hand. Some salons are quite reasonable, or if there is a local beauty therapist that does home visits they are usually cheaper still - perhaps ask her friends if they can recommend someone.

Local training collages are good value.

If you really are a bit strapped for cash - many hairdressers have model afternoons and evenings where you can get a very reasonable or even free wash, cut & blow dry. And Boots, Debenhams etc have cosmetic counters with free make-overs.

Any of the above would help her feel special for your evening together.

Another idea that won't break the bank is to go out for the day/evening to somewhere with lovely views, nice walks & pack a luxury picnic with all the best that M&S or a deli has to offer plus a bottle of sparkling wine if you're not driving.






Hope it goes well.

frizz_head

Someone posted on here a while back about 'A Jar of Promises'. Write down on seperate pieces of paper all the things your g/f would like you to do for her, and put then in a jar.

ie. I promise I will xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Karl_Karlsson

Think if there are any old/cult movies or music she liked when she was younger that she has mentioned.

These kind of things are harder to find (i.e. they're not on display in HMV!) so she wont have ever almost bought it for herself, but you can find them using the shopbots. Then it will show you were listening when she mentioned The Princess Bride/Labyrinth etc.!! victory all round

nikkig_3

Why not have a look at lastminute.com? they usually have some good deals on eurostar breaks to paris? thats what I did with my boyfriend on our 1st year together anniversary? hate to say it but we are going again for my birthday next week, we did it even cheaper this time by using airmiles for the train tickets, so that was free and the hotel we like have a special offer on!

Queenie

Instead of a "Promise Jar" ... utilise the idea but put in strips thanking her for all the things she has said/done that have made you grateful, happy, smile, appreciate, love her more. Also, add in a few 'promises' so it's not all the same thing. Those 'promises' can also be things you will aim to give her over the course of your lifetime together (so long as they are attainable! LOL ). Women, in the main, are romantics and things given from the heart outvalue purchased items anyday!

If it's a tangible "unwrap" type of thing you want to give her, make up a "pamper basket" for her. In Boots you can buy small sized items like face packs, body lotions, soaps etc., a scented candle and a nice CD to listen to as she luxuriates in a bath with all the goodies and maybe some massage oil and a promise to give her a foot or back massage?

Pop in a lottery ticket into either of the two above for a bit of fun and added excitement/mystery (my son won £5k on a scratch card last year, so you never know!)

You *can* take her on holiday ... arrange a surprise "theme" night in Have an Italian night, cook her some italian food, a bottle of Italian wine, get a CD from your library with some Italian music sounds - whip up some bunting by printing off several Italian Flags off the internet and decorate the room with those. Or whatever Country she longs to see. If America is her dream ... do a 4th July style night. You get the idea.

You're young, your imagination is a wonderful tool and young relationships are built on dreams of the future (even if you start that relationship at 70!) Making someone laugh, feel contented, optimistic for the future, happy with their lot is far more precious than money

lyniced

I think 1st anniversary is paper (well married, but I don't see why it shouldn't count)- so how about a really lovely picture (on PAPER, of course) of yourself put into a nice frame. I am thinking about this from a female point of view, as this is something I would really like. We've been married 19 years and I said many times I'd like a nice photo of my husband to put on my desk, but as yet, he hasn't taken the hint! Flowers and chocs are good, but a photo is longer lasting.

Djmitch21

I've got to say everyone, thank you all for the brilliant suggestions!

They are all gold!!

I'm going to give some of these a shot (I love the idea of a holiday theme!) and I may have to come clean with my g/f afterwards as to where all "my" great ideas came from.

hobbesy_2

I have been married 3 years this summer, so first anniversary is fresh in my mind. My present to my husband was a pen set (being paper anniversary), i had them engraved one with 'my love' and one with 'my friend', this was quite personal to us as we have really been there for each other through some tough times, but i'm sure there is something there for you to use.

Other paper ideas i nearly went with, hmmm...

Put together a photo album. We have a digital camera so have lots of photos on the computer and not many on paper. I made one of these for my mother in law recently as our son has just turned two and she doesnt get to see much of him. So there are photos there from the moment he was born to the present day, lots of 'firsts'.

Tickets to something are also paper. Even if its for the cinema. We used to go loads before our son was born and we bought our house, but now both money and time are tight so it would mean a lot

I also wrote a poem and put it in the pen box. OK this seems very girly but like you have been told, girls are romantics, especially on a first wedding anniversary! If you went with something that wasn't paper themed you could put this in the to be the paper thing

If i remember any more i'll pop back on. Just to say the pen set actually got stolen amongst many other things last year, we got the money back on the insurance but have gone against replacing it as it wouldn't be the set i bought him :-(

Hope this helps

Keri -x-

Nile

Hello Djmitch21

A cheap/money saving suggestion is to make her a card.

All you need is a piece of A4 white card, fold in half and decorate.

Don't worry if you're no great artist. You can always copy something suitable from a magazine/book. Use coloured crayons or poster paints, if you don't have any........borrow from someone with a youngster. The Stationey Box chain have cheap stuff if you're happy to buy.

If you're not a great poet, go to a card shop. Find a card with a verse you like and copy it down but don't buy it.......then you can write that verse inside your home made card.

Your girlfriend will be delighted with all the time and trouble you've gone to. It will be much better than buying a shop card.;)

Djmitch21

Hi Everyone,

Once again, thanks for the suggestions!

Please, keep them coming!

Dene