Do You Make a Big Deal on Your Anniversary?

Every year, we go see a movie in that afternoon and go to The Melting Pot (fondue) for dinner. We do not buy each other gifts though.

We have 3 out of the 4 grandparents living close enough that they can babysit the kids.

OMG Molly...mine is today also. And we have 3 kids. And we're not doing anything either! We are broke, my DH is studying for the CPA exam every second practically that he is not working. It is fine...we will celebrate later. He is a great man, I've been married 13 years today...
How about you?

Happy Anniversary!!!

We don't do much either. Usually a card and sometimes (depending on his work schedule) we go out to dinner.

This subject is a bit of a pet peeve of mine :)
Of course, it's okay that you aren't "doing' anything! That is totally up to (and between) the 2 of you! There are no "rules" for celebrating anniversaries. We tried to do something special on the "big" ones...1, 5, 10, 20, etc. I would rather be shown love (and show love) in the everyday things than once a year on an anniversary. I think it's nice to acknowledge it of course and we usually will at least try to have a nice dinner at home if nothing else.
I have 2 pet peeves with anniversaries: I don't expect my extended family, even our children to make a big deal out of mine & my husband's anniversary. I believe that it is something that is between the couple. It's nice to get a "congratulations" or have someone remember, but I don't get upset if they don't. That said, I think children & couples should make a little bit bigger deal out of their parent's 25th, 50th, 75th etc anniversary if they can...and it doesn't have to cost a fortune. I remember when I was newly married to my husband and he told me that my MIL fully expected her 3 children to send them on an all-expenses-paid vacation to Hawaii for their 25th the next year. My husband was the oldest (22) with the youngest being 16 & no job! We were newlyweds just getting started. She had the trip all planned out and was deeply disappointed when she realized that it wasn't going to happen. (I did organize a very nice party for them though).
2nd pet peeve: Women who get totally ticked off when their husband doesn't plan a national holiday for "her" anniversary or shower them with gifts, etc. I can't believe the number of women I have met who feel this way. And it never fails...they tell me how hurt & angry they are that their husband did "nothing" but maybe get them a card for their anniversary, etc and when I say, "well, what did you do for HIM?" there is always silence or sputtering. An anniversary is not an extra holiday for the wife. It should be mutual and the celebration planned together and expectations discussed ahead of time. Glad to see there are so many grounded wives on mamapedia!!!
Phew! Sorry...rant over :)

Ours is New Years Eve. We are always dirt broke from Christmas, so, no, we don't plan anything. But yes, we always celebrate. It's usually us, a bottle of champagne, candles, and watching the ball drop after the kids go to bed. A kiss at midnight and all the fireworks that come after that kiss! You can do something like that. Candles, Champagne, a nightie you haven't worn in a long time, turn on some baby making music and celebrate your love. Happy Anniversary!!!

We are pretty low key about our anniversaries. We give each other cards in the morning. we call each other throughout the day and I usually make a really good meal. I make a way better steak then anything you get at a restaurant. We have gone out to dinner and it was nice too, but not very often.

I remember when our daughter was about a year old and she was all over the place. I realized I had not had a real conversation with him in months. My husband and I were sitting across from each other in the living room. I caught his eye and mouthed. "I love you.." He winked back at me and mouthed "I love you too".

I knew right then, we were going to make it through anything and we did not need big celebrations, we were enjoying each other and our daughter every day. It was one of the most romantic moments in our marriage.

This fall we will celebrate our 30th.. Not sure what we will do to celebrate.. Maybe dinner out, maybe another good steak here at home..

Congratulations on your anniversary!

Well, f it's OK with you, it's OK with me! LOL

No--we don't always do something "big". Not necessary.
In Feb, we'll have our 15 year anniversary and I'd like to do something "bigger" than normal.

Congrats on 8!

I think it sounds wonderful! We are the exact same way and our kids are now 21 and 17!

I worry that we've set our kids up for potential unhappy relationships because there are so many out there with high expectations. My husband used to buy me roses for every year I was old for my birthday. Until I saw the bill one time. Really, nice thought but that money could be spent elsewhere.

We are very practical and give each other the 'gift' of our love, time, respect. . . the gift of being a good parent, spouse, sibling, child, and friend. That we don't have to GIVE each other something tangible.

Congrats on your anniversary and enjoy the day, each other and your kids!

We have never had a big celebration. We have been married 5 years and been together 13. I do enjoy our anniversary though. He's just a little extra sweeter and I eat that up! :) happy anniversary. To y'all!

On the big ones we do. 10, 15 didn't do much for 20. We blew a wad on 25 which was a couple of weeks ago! I received a new wedding ring! Lovely I might add. He did terrific. But generally speaking no we don't. We will go out to eat or something but nothing super special. We will get cards for each other and I generally will get some flowers. But that's about it and I'm okay with that. My husband tells me and shows me he loves me everyday. Sure enjoyed the 25th though!!! Happy Anniversary!!!

Nope. We go out to dinner and that's about it.

:) Happy Anniversary!

Our anniversary was Friday... took our little man to the local Greek Festival. We exchange cards, but we just don't go overboard. Honestly? He tells me that he loves me every day... our anniversary (to us) is more about marking the start of our little family! We always do "something", but it's not usually a "big thing".

Happy anniversary!

In the past, we haven't done much. However, this year we vowed to go to Vegas every year to celebrate and have some alone time. We are not romantic people either, it feels silly to me, so we just have fun and laugh ALOT.

I think it's funny that you made CHILI...I hope there aren't any beans in it, LOL! That would be a gut buster for both of us :)

Happy Anniversary!!!!

Laurie, what is your secret steak recipe...please share!

Sure it's ok to not do anything.
Up until year 9 we never did anything. Yr 9 we took at weekend trip. Yr 10 we spent a week at Disney World without kids.
This year, 11, we are taking another weekend trip.

Happy Anniversary! Nope we don't either...No cards...flowers..nor any special meal..We acknowledge it in passing. We also have three kids and the "we" time has been nonexistent lately. I do however, like to feel special on my birthday and at Christmas so all else can be secondary. :)

Have a great night!

LOL!!! My 18 yr anniversary is on Sunday 9/18! And no, we are not doing anything on THAT day! We will probably go out to dinner w/out the kids on Sat night, but hubs is going into Chicago for a race w/ his bro on Sunday and I have to take my son to a bday party! We love each other every single day and we do special things when we can, usually w/ the kids, anyway! We have done things in the past...but if it doesn't bother you and you are just happy to have made it to another anniversary happily married, that's all that matters!! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO YOU!

First, happy anniversary.
For your question: Sometimes.
Sometimes it's awesome, sometimes it's just not feasible. As long as you're both on the same page. If you want to do something nice, maybe arrange for a sitter for the weekend and go have some time to yourselves then. We do that if it's a middle of the week thing, we'll acknowledge it on the day, but celebrate it on a weekend.

30 years is next month for us. We've been telling everybody that he's going fishing & I'm going to New Orleans with my mom!

& then there is what I told him this wkend: (shocker alert) I told him that I would like a nice dinner with my family. At 1st, he didn't get it...he thought I meant our sons...just the 4 of us. Nope, I meant with my mom, my sis & her family, my 90yo gma, & my 2 uncles. AND NOT his family.

OMG, you should have seen his face! He was shocked that I would leave his family out of it!! But the reality of it is....since his mom passed away 2 years ago, the family does not gather. The 2nd half of the issue is that my family totals 12. His family totals 35 + boy/girl friends. His family is triple the size of mine.....& I want to keep expenses down. Well, + they're just not my favs....Oh, well.

Most years, we have a nice dinner at home ....with the china, crystal, silver. Candles, flowers, & a fav meal....& that's about it. Sometimes we pull out the wedding album, sometimes we go thru family photos. Just depends on our mood....& which night of the week it is!

Congrats & Happy Anniversary!

Nope we usually don't really do anything. I am totally fine with it. He is totally fine with it too! A couple years ago we got a starbucks coffee, lol. We both love the coffee and hate the price :) Chili is the perfect anniversary dinner, because it will be done by the time he gets home, which means you get to spend more time together. Happy Anniversary!

Next year I hope so because it'll be twenty years.

This year I bought a cake and my son said it was "it was our birthday." In a way it was. Kids are so smart.

Nope, we don't do big stuff. Heck, we got married on a Thursday. For our anniversary, we usually go to dinner. I think that it's perfectly cool that you two are comfortable enough with each other that you don't feel the pressure of making a big deal of your anniversary. There tends to be a fine line, however, between not making a big deal and the unhealthy taking for granted. Be careful not to slip over to that side.

I think that you should still make a point to do something that is special to both of you on your anniversary--favorite meal, favorite movie or TV show.... It's more of a spot check.

Happy anniversary!

We have never planned anything big. We usually go to dinner, and that is enough. We love eating out. Today is also our 14th Anniversary! Several times we have dreamed of doing something bigger, but life gets in the way. For our 5th anniversary, we were only 23 years old and dirt poor. For our 10th, we had a baby. This year, my husband is arguing a big appeal tomorrow in front of 300 people, so he has to focus on that. For our 15th next year, we'll have another infant. Maybe our 20th. In the meantime, enjoy each other and make time for each other at least every month. By sticking to date nights every so often, we have been so much happier. Raising children without a break (we live far from our families) is drudgery! If you find time to love each other in the day-to-day, you don't need your anniversary as an excuse to do "something big."

First off Congrats on 8 years. Our 7 year is next Sunday. We usually get a sitter and go out to dinner, sometimes a movie. Just depends. We do get eachother gifts, birthdays and anniversaries are the only "holidays" we do this for. I do often get spoiled with anniversary presents. He's not romance guy, but he does pay attention to things I say I would like to have...and then I usually get for anniversary.

We are low key and really just want to spend time together. I don't think there is anything wrong. Matter of fact, the kids are going to my parents Saturday night and to a family reunion on Sunday with them. A whole almost 24 hours of just me and him. Nothing special planned. Heck half the time we don't even know the restaurant until we are driving in the car.

Normally we spend the day together. We both take off work and just do what ever then have dinner together that night. Its never been anything exciting since we have the kids. This Friday will be the first time we will have actually done something more than spending the day together and dinner. We are going to his home town to see a concert and staying in a hotel, hopefully his friends will be joining. Its taken us 5 years to do this, I can't wait!! But no there is nothing wrong with keeping it low. Maybe just make tonight after the kids go to bed a little more special. If not to busy this weekend do something. Happy anniversary!

Hi. We usually go out to dinner and, on occasion, have gone away for the weekend. That said, there may be times in the future where that just isn't possible. I don't think an anniversary needs to have a big celebration each time or even most times. It sounds like you're both comfortable celebrating this way, this year and that's wonderful :). Happy Anniversary!

Not always. This year we're going on a little trip, but last year...nothing. I just had a baby, the year before....nothing. The year before that, our baby was 3 months old LOL
So this year we are because we have been through alot, and feel like we need some us time. Otherwise it's usually dinner, then rush home because we miss the kids!
Happy Anniversary :)

Happy Anniversary!
No, we do not do anything big.
Once in awhile we go to dinner.
I've tried to give a small gift for the house based on the modern tradition.
But no, we don't do much.
No time, now no $, kids.
And I do not have a problem w/that.
The fact that we're together is all that matters.
My birthday is a different issue. LOL :)
Congratulations on your anniversary, spend some time together at home in a low-key manner and just appreciate/love each other.
That's what really matters! :)

My husband and I have been married for 14 years, our kids are grown up and out on their own. Since our anniversary usually falls near Labor Day Weekend, we usually try a little weekend get-away, but it depends on my work schedule since I do work weekends and every-other holiday. Not always big trips, but even just a weekend away. We exchange cards on our anniversary, and usually go out to dinner, but we don;t exchange gifts. This year, since I had to work that weekend, and we have things going on, we're actually not celebrating until the end of this month with a weekend in South Haven, MI (just a 3 hour drive for us, on Lake Michigan)
D.

No, we are really bad about it actually, we BOTH always forget. We are about to get to #9, im hoping i can get something special together for #10.

Ours is Sept 1st, Labor Day weekend. We always take a road trip or have a weekend getaway somewhere in the US, but every 5 years we leave the country! So, no cards, gifts, or "stuff," just time with each other in a new place!

Today is my Anniversary too! I tell my husband all the time that I am the best wife and mom (in case he forgets) and I totally blew it today. I remembered the day but I have done ZERO to celebrate it. When I walked into the kitchen this morning, he had two cards on my laptop just sitting there, waiting for me. I felt so bad. I have done nothing. I will though. I'm going to try and get someone to watch the little divas tonight so we can go out. I think I'll run out and get some of his favorite sweets so they're here when he gets home. For someone who tells their husband all the time how great they are, I didn't do so good today! :(

My husband and I do not get each other gifts. We figure it took both of us to make it another year so we buy one thing that we both want. One year it was a new TV. Another year it was a new bed. Sometimes we go out to eat just the two of us and sometimes we take our daughter with us. But we definitely make it about "us" not each other individually. = )

I don't think you need to plan anything big. Just being together as a family is celebration enough! = )

Usually just dinner and a movie. We are always on vacation that day in Florida. This year my MIL watched my son for 5 days so we could go galavanting down the coast towards Miami and stop and do whatever seemed fun. I had an awesome time. Last year we got 2 days away to do whatever. IF it didn't fall during vacation time, then we probably wouldn't do anything.

Nah, my husband and I celebrated our ten year anniverary this year. We have very limited resources babysitter wise so we took the kids to a nice restaurant at the mall! Ha! But it was nice and I am glad there is not a lot of pressure to do something big! We did get each other some nice gifts though...

Congrats! Our anniversary is next month and we usually go out of town for the weekend we don't have our kids (the ex's have them every other weekend). This year, it falls on Columbus Day and that week is Fall Break for the kids. Soooo, I think we are going to take the kids and play mini golf since we have never been with them. Hubby was asking me what I wanted to do but he qualified for a company paid trip to Vegas first part of November so I told him we could just consider that and maybe go to a special show there or something. So we usually do something but I don't think we will this year. =)

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to the both of you.

I dearly love my wife. We were married on the 28th of July. We have been celebrating our "anniversary" since we got married. On the 28th of every month we have made it a game to see who can wish the other "happy anniversary" first. Last month on the 28th was the 457th time we had done that.

We went some place special for our 10th (7-day cruise with Windjammer cruise lines), 20th, (7 day cruise out of Barbados), 25th (two weeks in Hawaii at various resorts) and each annual anniversary after that we've done something special. For our 35th we spent a week with my MIL and went out for dinner on the actual date. (My MIL started out hating me, but I worked hard to win her over and now I'm her favorite SIL.) This year we spent a week at a resort in Jamaica.

Don't know what we will do for next year yet, but it will be something special. We are now empty nesters and can afford to do more, even though my retirement pay is nothing like my salary used to be.

I am a real good $aver. So we seldom go into debt to go some place. My wife and I just do without some of the less important things. Example: We went out to eat at places that gave sent us coupons in the mail and instead of going out once per week we went twice or even once per month. That paid for a 7 day cruise for both of us.

With the economy being the way it is, we may not do something expensive ($1000 or more cost) in 2012. But it will be our 40th in 2013 so we'll do something special for that. We have both wanted to sail/cruise through the Panama Canal, so we may do that in 2013.

ADDED. We tend to celebrate our life together. Her and my birthday, mother's day, father's day, valentine's day, anniversaries, (and family holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and the 4th of July)

Good luck to you and yours.

Happy anniversary!
We don't always plan something big. Sometimes we don't plan anything at all.
Our anniversary was two weeks ago and we didn't really do anything. Since we just moved 1500 miles money is tight, very tight. We moved without any furniture (sleeping on air beds and have camping chairs in the living room, haha), so we went looking at furniture most of the day. We didn't buy anything, just looked at things we liked and made a list of which stores have the best prices. The point was to just spend some time together. That night I made a nice supper and we watched a movie at home with our teenage son. All in all it was a nice anniversary.

I think if y'all are satisfied with whatever is done then I wouldn't worry about it. It's more important to express love for each other daily anyway than to do something special on one day a year, at least in my opinion.

We have always found a night somewhere around the anniversary (sometimes a couple of wks later) or a day to go out for a meal. We might drive up to Frankenmuth on a Sat or Sun. But we've never made a big deal out of it.