Needing Anniversary Gift Idea

HI. I just had my 7th anniversary last month. I did a few things... the traditional gifts for 7 years are wool and copper... so I thought pennys are copper! I sorted through my pennys that I keep in a little container and found one from each year we've been married. I also got him $7 gift cards to places that he likes such as cold stone and wendys. And I got him 7 packs of gum, 7 of his favorite candy bar, etc.

Congrats on the 7 years!
-A.

Dear A.,
This answer is so out of the norm for me that it really showed my husband how much I care about him. I went to Fredericks of Hollywood or Victoria's Secret and bought a fru fru bra and matching panties (satin and lace), ones that fit and looked decent, if not ridiculous, and wrapped them as a gift for him. He loved it.
N.

I would say baking him his favorite cake or candy (heart shape pans are available) along with his favorite ice cream. Or for a gift under 20.00 try a stepping stone for the garden that reads Dad's garden or make one with the families hand prints(find it at Michaels). Good luck.

Why not purchase a few packages of inexpensive flower seeds and tie them with ribbon. Attach a little note about how your "love has grown" or something along those lines! :)

Hi A.,
I have a gift idea for you and it will not cost you a thing! My husband absolutely loved it when I did this for him. I took some index cards and with my scrapbooking supplies made him coupons for various things (you don't even have to decorate the cards) like I would take out the garbage one week, wash his car, make him his favorite meal, rub his feet, give him a massage, watch a movie of his choice with him (he really liked this one, because I normally don't watch his war related movies with him. You can make it special towards your husband, maybe plant flowers with him or something that is important to him, or let him pick an activity of his choice to do with you or with you and the kids. My husband was handing me coupons for months after that. It meant a lot to him that I put so much thought into his gift. We had decided that year that we were not going to spend any money on our gifts but we would make them ourselves. He made me a lottery where I chose from three different categories one from each, I ended up getting a romantic dinner, he did the laundry for a week, and a massage, what an awesome gift.
Hope this helps,
H.

I like to make CDs for presents. You can choose his favorite songs, perhaps the song you danced together at your wedding, etc. If you don't know how to do it, ask around. I'm sure some of your friends know how it do it.
It is very personal and shows you put some thought into it.
Happy Anniversary!

Dear A.....Your hubby loves flowers & plant horticulter, problem solved. Create a floral centerpiece fior your table.....make it a bit unusual....& get to a local nursery. Tell the local nurseryman of your hubby's intererst, ask for an unusual plant (limit $20.00) then a wrap (you do) of an aluminum wrap, raffia AND ribbon AND green onion (GREEN PART ONLY, soak 10 min. in warm water) tie all, individually around plant.....pretty and a loving gift! Or use the plant (tied) as table centerpiece, stick a card inside (anniversary AND another with a message/promise to plant his gifdt.) A.

Since he loves horticulture and architecture, why not plan a picnic lunch at Filoli in Palo Alto? I don't know if you've ever been there but it is a beautiful old home with stunning gardens (especially this time of year). The entry fees are very reasonable. Take a nice bottle of wine and enjoy!

For an inexpensive, unusual and easy-to-care-for horticultural gift, check out a staghorn fern. It's an epiphite (sp?) like orchids, but doesn't need any special food, just sunlight and water. check out http://www.soenyun.com/Blog/?p=147

We had one in the bathroom for a few years, until my husband transplanted it onto a board from the lumberyard (needless to say, the chemicals in the board killed the fern within a week). I'm going to give my husband a new staghorn fern for his birthday this year, and I know he will be overjoyed. I don't think you'd find a fern like this at Home Depot, but I know Sloat in SF carries them if I can't find one in here the East Bay.

I love it...keep it simple. You can do an e-card which is free through Hallmark. What is his simplest pleasure? Does he have a favorite ice cream for you both to share after your dinner? Buy him something you know he would want but would not go and buy himself because he puts his family first. Like a music CD or if he enjoys iTunes for his iPod. If you have a local candy store you can buy a single chocolate shaped in a flower or bake cookies shaped as flowers. Or a particular stem flower from the local market but buy 7 of them representing your number of years together. I hope this helps. Good Luck & Congratulations.

Dear A. C,
I just celebrated my 21st anniversary and I was reflecting on what the most memorable gift I ever got from my husband was.....I looked on the shelf in our living room and saw the one! I received a small wooden antique frame(Victorian style about 4" in size) in it was a silver fancy key looking broach pinned to a piece of ribbon attached to a background of lace. I opened the gift 17 years ago, and he said "This my dear is the key to my heart...I want you to know you are the only one who has ever had it and will ever have it" I look at it all the time and feel the love all over again. Just a thought.
Touch him where it counts...the heart.
E.
PS.
A trip with the whole family up to "Daffodil Hill" in the foothills(millions of flowers blooming) is always a beautiful trip and only happens right now March-April.

I'm not sure the area you are, but what about a picnic lunch at a park that is know for it's flowers, Happy Hollow Zoo for example has a beautiful Rose Garden. I don't remember the exact name of it, but it's really nice. Pack a nice refreshing lunch, blanket, wine/cider and off you go. I think appreciate the effort. Have a great time. He sounds awesome. As do you for truly appreciated what you have been blessed with.

i always go with the meaning of the year of anniversary and try to tie it in somehow.. for 7 years it's copper/wool.. so maybe buy him some kind of copper wind chime or something you can hang outside and enjoy together in the summer days/nights after the kids go to bed.. it's inexpensive (what you are lookinng for) but beautifiul (like your relationship).. not sure if that will help.

Maybe a small bunch of flowers, Safeway carries flowers for not much money, and you could get a friend or a family member to deliver them to him at work or at school during class!!(men do like to get flowers). Maybe something sexy from walmart for the after evening treat. (they also have inexpensive items) believe me I shop there often because I don't have much money but can always fing something for the occasion. Happy Anniversary!! hope you have a good dinner and evening!
L.

7th year is not the most fun for gift giving... traditional gift is copper or wool. And since its warm outside (at least it is here) i dont think wrapping up in wool will be the most fun idea :) so lets try this.....

Make your dinner, but pack it ;) or at least make the plates and take them out into the backyard. have a picnic under the stars. you could lay out a wool blanket to sit on (it could be his gift) have your dinner maybe play some music in the background. you could make your own mixed cd with maybe a song for each year. after dinner you could just lay outside and become one with nature ;) ha ha... that's sounds so corny but really nice non the less ;) If you are more the adventurous side or maybe looking to spice things up between the sheets, you could buy something new to wear. also pick up so passion products (I am a Passion Parties Consultant and you can order thru my website if you wish) give him a massage with some massage lotion and smitten. Or get more into it with some edibles. No matter what you do I am very sure he is going to love it! :D good luck! and CONGRATULATIONS!!!! email me if you would like to chat about the product. I'll give you anniversary discount ;)
P.
____@____.com
or
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Look online to see what flower is designated (or tree) for the 7th anniversary. It's kind of fun and helpful to get you started.

Maybe plant an "anniversary plant" together. You can take a photo, and compare over the years how the plant grows. I planted a tiny cutting from a hearty jade plant when my husband and I started dating. Our eigth anniversary is coming up, and we treasure the plant more and more.

Photos in general are good. Frame a picture of the two of you together, maybe dig out one he hasn't seen in a while. Or just a good photo of you is sure to mean a lot to him. Write a short, heartfelt letter telling him how much he means to you. I found an old one just the other day in my husband's drawer and was so touched that he saved it.

I think that a candlelit dinner is a wonderful idea. Happy anniversary.

Hi A.,

A subscription to his favorite outdoor, horticulture magazine might be nice.

Another idea to piggy back off of is an album with the 7 reasons why I love you. I am a Creative Memories Consultant and we have a product that is a paper album. There is one that is just for him and comes with the paper and embelishments to compliment the book. It is $15.00 and is made from the heart. It even comes with a nice cream colored envelope to put it in. Visit my website to view it: www.mycmsite.com/aprildunhamfilson.

Happy Anniversary!

Hi A.,

Whenever I need a quick and thoughtful gift I make a homemade card or special photo collage. It's easy to do and since you have so many special memories you can pick one of your favorites to focus on or just let him know how much you appreciate him. Also, since your husband is into flowers you may be able to find some pressed flowers to add to the card.

Another idea might be ordering tickets for the San Francisco Botanical Garden. It is not that expensive and could be a fun, romantic day out or a family event - either way it is a fun outing.

Well, hope that helps a little. Good luck and enjoy whatever you do!

Why don't you prepare a gourmet picnic in a botanic garden or some other special garden in your neighborhood?

I'm sure if you're looking for a romantic gift or not, but here are a few suggestions for some sentimental(not-so romantic)gifts. I was in the same dilemma for a xmas gift as my husband is a creative one as well, but with the kids it seems like there's little time to get real creative in return so I took my two girls to the Picture People and we had pictures taken of the three of us and framed them for his office. I kept if very simple, putting us in white t-shirts and jeans. If you go to their website www.picturepeople.com, just click on the free portrait coupon and you can print it and take with you. We went right after my older daughter got out of school when it's usually not a busy time for the studio, but I suggest calling ahead for an appointment just to be sure you don't have to wait. The pictures are ready in an hour and there's no sitting fee. I kept it cheap by purchasing frames at Wal-Mart, but you could can also find cheap frames at Marshalls or Ross. If you've already used this idea, I've also made father bracelets for him. They are like the mommy bracelets, but much more masculine. These ideas could also work for father's day. Hope this helps.

My advise to personalize the present. print picture( from your wedding) on iron transfer paper and saw it to something he would like. Sun hat for planting or outdoor walking, gardening gloves, tshirt.
I am making tye died tshirts with iron on transfers myself as a hobby and side business. You c an even make it like your wedding picture is a tree trunk and kids pics are branches.
good luck

what about making him a list of 10 things you love about him. Do kind of a scrap book creative kind of thing. you can make it on tags or maybe a little book. Clip it all together with a D- ring. You can get most materials at walmart for very cheap. Be specific in all your adoration of him. It is something tangible that he can look on forever.

Hi A.-
I love that coupon idea that another lady had. Awesome. YOu could always do an early dinner as a picnic in the garden or out at the park. And, since he loves flowers and horticulture, maybe as a gift find a really great orchid or potted plant for the house that he can care for. Shops like Longs Pharmacy, Lowes, Home Depot, even the big stores with garden centers can have inexpensive orchids and coleus', and Rite Aid sometimes has bonzai trees for under $20.
Frugality is the way to go, sister!
Good luck!

...how about a simple home made stepping stone for the garden?

For your 7th anniversary, make a 7-page little booklet made of construction colored paper with each page saying one reason why you love him and a picture to represent your reason.

It's inexpensive and will bring a tear to his eye.

Entitle the booklet 7 Reasons Why I Love You

My Friend did this for her husbands 40th birthday. She came up with 40 reasons why she loved him. It went over well.

If you're anywhere near Woodside off Hwy 280, tickets to Filoli might be nice. It's a beautiful place, with one after another of formal gardens surrounding a lovely mansion. The bulbs are probably fading, but the roses ought to be starting their thing. They've got a website (I think it's filoli.com or something close to it) if you want to investigate. If he likes horticulture he'll probably enjoy it.

There are lots of great little gardening items you can buy and put in a pot, organizer bag (I've seen some that go over those large Home Depot Buckets), watering can, or a little gardening apron/holster. You could buy seed packets to put in the bag or pot or buy a kneeling mat and gardening gloves or a sun hat or visor. Some little herbs in tiny pots would be cute to plant in a pot for a kitchen herb garden. A watering wand, or little garden tools like small hoes, shovels, and trimmers are great. Buy a nice plant for the evening's centerpiece. Another idea is a gardening book...themes like landscape architecture, design, gardening, fruit, veggies, organic gardens, low-water gardens, water gardens, etc. I really like Alden Lane Nursery in Livermore, but you can even find items at Target! Does he like roses? You could buy a special rose bush with a romantic name for him to plant in your yard. When you make dinner, incorporate fresh herbs. On today's View From The Bay on Ch. 7, they showed a nice recipe for an appetizer, not sure if it's your thing or not, but it was little goat cheese wrapped in perchito-dry ham(wrong spelling!)you can get these items at Trader Joes, and heat fresh herbs in olive oil in micro, then pour oil over cheese balls...looked really good, arrange randomly on platter. I hope it turns out great! Last weekends Home & Garden section of The Valley Times had a calendar of great garden tours, and some upcoming ones are free!

Hi A.,

What about buying him his favorite plant and also you could plant a tree in his honor(you can do this online). I bet he would be thrilled with that-- you get a nice card with his name on it and the tree is planted in the forest. I got one as a gift when I got married and its really meaningful to me. Whatever you choose, do it from the heart. :) You could also write him a poem about what he means to you or a letter of appreciation. It sounds like your hubby is a romantic-- so hope this helps you and happy anniversary!

Molly

A little note on door (see note on fridge)
Note on fridge (find note on hall wall)
Note on hall wall (find note on bedroom door)
Note on bedroom door (open)- or similar...

A single white or red rose, a single candle,a romantic card and you.
Maybe if you have a DVD player in bedroom you can watch a movie together in bed.
Alone - Quiet - Alone (aalone is twice...YESSSSSS)

Dear A.:

One of my favorite anniversary surprises which I share with my husband is a romantic "tasting" dinner for two. I select and prepare a number of "courses", pair the meal with a wine or two (or one and a dessert wine) and prepare and serve each course of the meal in a different nightie.

Set up the living room with candles and a small table (or single wooden TV tray) and two chairs. Plate each course on a single plate and share.

The dinner doesn't need to be complicated ... I plan each "course" to take no more than about 5-minutes to prepare. If there is any advance preparation I can do to reduce the prep time, I do it while I organize the ingredients for each course. If you have something that needs a little more cooking time (like giant pasta shells to hold a pan-seared scallop or tiger prawn) you can either par-boil when you do your prep work or start them while you change into your next nightie.

While he's enjoying his final "course" with a sip of port or orange muscat, draw a bath infused with bath salts (I make some wonderful ones in my business) and, of course, light a few more candles. Have him relax in the tub while you bathe him. (You might not get very far!)

It's incredibly fun (for both parties) and he'll always remember it! Maybe he'll even return the favor for a birthday or Valentine's Day. Congratulations on your 7th Wedding Anniversary! V. Taylor

I had a couple of friends I knew during their courtship and into the first few years of their marriage. The sweetest thing I saw was their exchange of live potted plants. They started a bonzai collection, mostly by making them for each other and giving as b-day or anniversary gifts. You can buy a lovely bonsai pot for under 20$ and go into a nearby forest to find a little seedling. If you're near a hardwood forest maple trees are lovely. (I'm no expert on this but I bet you could find some good info on the web about this.) Redwood seedlings work too. I would plant it with some rich soil though, and cover with a bit of moss, maybe put in a nice lichen-covered rock. Happy Anniversary!

Is there a big garden or a beautiful building with an ajacent park? Try to plan a picnic in the park or garden, or a stroll. If this is something he enjoys. Have the kids help you make beautiful pictures of plants and flowers, with stencils if their drawing skills are not very good. Get yourself a cheap nature sounds CD, if you would rather stay at home. Create the atmosphere of the outside, inside. Go to a flower retailer, where they have boxes of flowers, generally they can sell you a box for under $20 and it has ALOT of flowers, place them around the house. Save 7 special flowers or roses and lay them on your bed, a diffrent color for every significant year,maybe with a letter or a poem or a really nice card. Let your hair down, give yourself a manicure and pedicure, look amazing....I know that may need plannig with all the kids, but get someone to watch them while you get dressed. Even if it's dinner at home, get dressed up for him....he sounds like a great guy and you and he are very lucky to have one another...not to mention the kids. Best of luck, Happy Anniversary....may there be many,many more.

What about taking him to a Botanical garden , there are so many trees in bloom right now ,it would be beatiful.Get him a orchid plant that he could grow and tresure for years to come. How about some small vegtable plants that he could plant in his garden and care for. A gift card to his favorite garden center.Do you have room for a small water fountain in your yard? Have fun and Happy annv. K. from Hayward