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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at NCSU chapter.

My boyfriend and I recently celebrated our anniversary where we went to an amazing restaurant in Raleigh, NC. I’m here to share our dining experience, as well as what we gifted each other to give you ideas for your significant other for anniversaries, holidays, or any special occasion. 

My boyfriend made us reservations at Seasons 52 in Raleigh, North Carolina, although there are over 40 locations around the country. The restaurant is in the Crabtree Valley Mall, so it’s perfect if you’re looking to walk around or shop before or after your meal. The entrance of the restaurant, however, is separate from the mall, so there’s nothing to worry about there! We started off with the pesto chicken and fresh mozzarella flatbread, topped with balsamic onions, arugula, and wood-grilled red peppers, and it was amazing. We both ordered the wood-grilled filet mignon as our entree, and it came plated on a bed of broccolini and mashed potatoes. It was absolutely delicious to say the least! My boyfriend ordered macaroni and cheese and a chipotle potato skillet for the table, both of which were great. The service at the restaurant was incredible, everyone wished us Happy Anniversary, and we were both asked to pick from a flight of complimentary indulgences! I chose pecan pie, and his pick was the Belgian chocolate s’mores. All-and-all, the experience was extraordinary and definitely made us feel special. And if you’re wondering how good our meal really was, let’s just say we didn’t take anything home…

Now for those of you who are ready for the gift ideas. I gifted my boyfriend his favorite cologne engraved with “Happy Anniversary” and the date of our anniversary, as well as a framed handmade collage. I purchased the cologne and then sent it to a small business on Etsy, HierloomInkStuidio, where the owner, Alishia, made the whole experience a dream. She was so attentive and caring, and I would 100% recommend her if you ever want to gift an engraved cologne or perfume, or any other keepsake that she personalizes. It was an amazing gift that my boyfriend loved so much!

My boyfriend gave me one of those acrylic lights with a personalized picture and Spotify code. I’m not sure where he purchased it from, but I’ve seen them all over TikTok and Instagram. I think it’s such a cute gift for any occasion, and for anyone. He also gave me a locket engraved with our initials and the date of our anniversary on the back. It’s stunning. I’ve been wanting a locket for some time now, so I loved this gift, and receiving a personalized one was even more special. He bought this specific one from Reeds Jewelers, but I’ve also seen them at many different stores and sites. Lockets are so romantic, and I think they’re the perfect gift to give or to ask your significant other for!

I hope my experience has sparked ideas for what to give your significant other, what you may want from your significant other, or just a nice dinner to have for whatever the occasion may be!

Kelsey Griswold is a President shadow for Her Campus at NC State University. She is responsible for writing articles, overseeing the social media team, and collaborating with the team to conduct photoshoots. This is her second year in Her Campus. Before Her Campus, Kelsey was a member of her high school's student council for four years. She worked alongside her club members to plan events, build the school's community outreach, and fundraise for new events. Kelsey was elected secretary in her junior year where she was in charge of keeping the club's minutes, creating the agenda for each meeting, and ensuring those tasks were completed. In senior year she was elected Student Body President where she was responsible for conducting meetings, guiding the planning of school-wide and community events, and making sure every member felt heard. Now, she is in her second, and last, year at NC State majoring in economics. Kelsey was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. Off-campus she enjoys shopping, spending time with friends and family, being outdoors, and listening to music. She is passionate about helping others and enjoying everything the world has to offer. After graduation, she hopes to become a project manager, but most importantly, she hopes to travel as much as possible and spend time with loved ones.