Gift giving is extremely fun and rewarding, especially in a relationship. It’s an extra-special way to express your love and gratitude to your significant other. But there’s a lot of added pressure when a big anniversary is coming up. You want to get your SO the perfect gift, but that’s easier said than done. This is even more difficult when you’ve been with your SO for a long period of time. So, never fear, your perfect gift-giving guide is here! Read on for some thoughtful ideas that won’t break the bank.
1. Food
You can never go wrong when it comes to food. Plan a romantic evening. Make your SO their favorite meal and finish it off with their favorite dessert. This meal might not be as good as going to a five-star steakhouse, but your SO will appreciate how much time and effort you put into the evening and it’ll be a nice surprise. The fastest way to your SO’s heart is definitely their stomach, especially if you made the meal with love.
2. DIY Gifts
Never underestimate the power of a DIY gift. Is it time-consuming? Yes. But it won’t break the bank. Make your significant other a tie blanket and spray your favorite scent on it. That will mean much more than a gift card or an expensive watch.
3. Pictures
A picture is worth a thousand words, but a photo album is worth a million. Making your SO a photo album commemorating your time together is really special. Reminding your SO of all of the good memories you two have made together is important. You can even write a small note next to each picture. Personalize this as much as possible. Â
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4. “Open When” Letters
Open When letters are personal and can cheer up anyone’s day. Writing your SO handwritten letters is a simple but extremely meaningful gesture. Some title options for the letter could be, “Open when you need a laugh,” “Open when you’re feeling insecure” or, “Open when you need to know how much I love you.” These letters will be valuable to your partner long after your anniversary passes.
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5. Anything your SO *NEEDS*
Has your SO been mentioning a certain item that they would like or need? Does your boyfriend keep talking about a shirt he saw at the mall? Does your girlfriend not stop talking about the cute jacket she saw at Target? Even though these aren’t the most extravagant gifts in the world, the fact that you paid attention and remembered that they really wanted this item is very meaningful. Listen to your SO and really hear what they have to say. You might not even need to think of a gift idea if you just open your ears.
Giving gifts is almost as much fun as getting gifts, but you must remember that it’s not everything. Cherish your relationship and the person you’re with. Take time out of your day to tell your SO you love and appreciate them. But if you do want to show your love through a gift, be resourceful, don’t break the bank and make it personal. It’s not about the spectacle, it’s about the love.