DW's what do you do for DH on anniversaries? What gifts do you give?

[Anonymous]

I'm a DW and my anniversary is tomorrow. I'm taking my DH to 2941 for dinner (I beat him to it cause I wanted to try this place). But I don't know what gift to give. I usually go all out on gifts for my husband, but I think that's been a mistake. My DH doesn't really like that, so I'm trying to change my gift giving ways. I bought him a very expensive watch for anniversary last year, and a car for his birthday a couple of years ago and 60 inch TV for his birthday this year. He's got a blue collar job, so he's not into suits, cuff links and that sort of thing. He likes to dress nice, but that's pretty covered right now. I've given him tickets to NFL, NBA and Golf tournaments--so he's no longer impressed.

I want to do something a little more momentous (not sure if that's the right word). I want to do something/show him how happy I am that we are married. We dated 10 years before we got married (It was me that wanted to wait, he wanted too get married 6 months after we met.)

Neither of us can take off right now for a trip. Any ideas?

[Anonymous]

Oh to add, this is 4 year anniversary, but we have been together for 15 years.

[Anonymous]

We usually do trips/experiences rather than presents. If you don't have time for a trip, could you do a weekend staycation at a local hotel?

[Anonymous]

According to this http://www.giftypedia.com/Anniversary_Table

The 4th anniversary is traditionally fruit or flowers.

[Anonymous]

My husband loves a good bottle of scotch or bourbon. I buy him something nicer than he would buy for himself. Or tickets to something he'd like to do. It's not the value of the thing--he loves that I did some research to find a new Scotch, for example, and likes that he can enjoy it all winter long. Go for meaning rather than money.

[Anonymous]

We go out to a nice dinner and exchange cards. For the big ones, we take a trip.

[Anonymous]

I agree, an experience (concert tickets, weekend away, day at a winery), a bottle of his favorite wine or booze, and a nice card. You have dinner covered - 2941 is great. If he likes a more downplayed anniversary, go with tickets to a rock concert instead of something more formal at the Kennedy Center. What does he get you? Follow his lead since maybe he feels like he has to keep up with your extravagant gifts and isn't really comfortable with it.

[Anonymous]

Go to the explicit section for advice.

[Anonymous]

Buy yourself new lingerie, blow job with enthusiasm

[Anonymous]

We follow the traditional gift giving. Some years suck but that is the fun in trying to find a memorable gift that fits. Sometimes we add on another gift though.

Here are some ideas, and some gifts I have given my DH:

Private chartered sunset sail in Annapolis (weather permitting)
Humidor, w/ 4 expensive Cigars & Custom Engraved Flask w/ 14 Year Single Malt Scotch (10 together, 4 married)

Watch Box for the Watches

Framed Vows w/ Wedding Picture

Annual Subscription to Robb Report

An experience - e.g., sky diving, helicopter lessons, race car experience presented with appropriate swag (goggles, helmet, etc)

Skiing Lessons & Ski Gear

Golf Clinic & Certificate for Golf Clubs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband loves a good bottle of scotch or bourbon. I buy him something nicer than he would buy for himself. Or tickets to something he'd like to do. It's not the value of the thing--he loves that I did some research to find a new Scotch, for example, and likes that he can enjoy it all winter long. Go for meaning rather than money.

+1, I completely agree with this!

But you could give it in a nice decanter, w/ drink tray that is bar worthy if you wanted a memorable keepsake. It could be saved and passed down one day if it is nice enough.
Or you could get a cheap one..

[Anonymous]

Nothing. We go out to eat, do really low-key things. When we don't forget the date, that is: happened to us twice in our 11 years of marriage. The important thing is NOT to forget it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We go out to a nice dinner and exchange cards. For the big ones, we take a trip.

+1. In general it's more about the experiences than things. One year for DH's birthday I got him a certificate to go to a brewery to make his own beer. He mentioned that he saw some couples making beer together but for his birthday I had him go with friends. I made sure his close friends had a common date available and left DH to work the logistics. It was great for him because everyone had an excuse to be out the house for 5 hours or so to make beer and then go back in a few weeks later to bottle it. With everyone married and with kids that kind of hanging out time is rare so it was a gift in being able to hang with his friends, learn how to make beer, and actually make good beer. I would also love to get him a lesson on driving a zamboni as a gift but no luck on that yet.