Whether you’re on your first anniversary or your fiftieth, you want to do something extra special for that one day each year.
While it’s healthy to routinely go on dates, no matter how long you’ve been together, they don’t all have to be lavish. This one, though, should be more thought through and planned out. If you need a few pointers to get you started, here are some ideas!
While exploring these unique anniversary date ideas, you may find that they not only add a spark of creativity to your celebrations but also foster a deeper emotional connection between you and your partner, similar to the strategies discussed in our guide on maintaining closeness and passion in a long-term relationship.
Click here to see the table of contents
What to Consider When Planning
Which Anniversary Is It?
This can tell you a lot about what expectations are going to be in place. Your fourth anniversary is just going to be governed by different rules and expectations than your tenth. While less significant milestones should still be celebrated, the more traditionally important ones, like your first, tenth and 25th, are going to warrant more planning.
Consider gift-giving as well in relation to which anniversary it is. You may not feel the need to give anything super lavish on your sixth anniversary, but a more prominent one may warrant some bigger display of affection, like stacked wedding rings or a nice pendant necklace.
What’s Your Budget?
As much as you want to go all out for your anniversary date, you still have 364 other days of the year to budget for (and show your love during). Go as bold as you reasonably can, but nothing is going to put a damper on your anniversary date like looming credit card debt. There are a ton of ways to have great dates for cheap, though, so don’t worry too much.
Unique Anniversary Date Ideas
1. Cooking Class
Whether you both love to cook or just wish you did more of it, a cooking class is a great way to spend time together while broadening your culinary horizons. Bonus points if you learn a dish you want to make routinely after the fact. The nice thing about these is you can find beginner-friendly, casual cooking classes as well as private, more romantic ones.
2. Wine Tasting
Nothing says anniversary romance like a vineyard tour. Of course, if you aren’t near Napa, you aren’t out of luck. There’s probably a winery closer to you than you realize. If nothing else, there’s always the option to grab a few bottles of wine from the grocery store and have a budget-friendly tour of Bordeaux.
3. Road Trip
Why not get out and see somewhere new? You don’t have to go across the country, though you’re more than welcome to. There’s probably a bunch of neat towns near you that you’ve never seen. Why not take a short weekend trip and explore your own backyard?
4. Amusement Park
Source: shutterstock.com
For the thrill-seekers out there, nothing says anniversary date like a good rush of adrenaline. Whether you want to find the fastest roller coasters or just stroll through the park, you can feel like a kid again with this date idea.
5. Go to the Record Store
Even if you don’t own a record player, record stores are a ton of fun. If nothing else, you can buy a few records you like and hang them up on the wall as decorations. If you do own a record player, though, this can be a great time to find some deep cuts and share some more of your musical taste with each other while reminiscing over albums gone by. Bonus points if you find a significant album from the year you started dating.
6. See a Show
Whether that’s music, comedy, a play or anything else live, it’s always fun to check out a venue and take in a show. If the weather is good, find an open-air venue near you and spend an evening under the stars.
7. Paint and Sip
You don’t have to be an artist for this one. In fact, it’s probably more fun if you aren’t. If you haven’t been to one of these before, you should absolutely take one in as a date, even if it isn’t your anniversary. They can be a little pricey, but you get to take your masterpiece home and have a few drinks in the process.
10. Spa Day
If you’re a couple always on the go, maybe what you need is a break. If you get a couple’s massage, you get all the benefits of being together while still having just enough space for yourself. Add in a nice dinner afterward, and you’ve got the ideal relaxing day.8. Recreate Your First Date
This is always a fun one. You may not remember a time before you wore your men’s wedding band every day, but there was a time, and it can be fun to reflect on.
The nice thing is that it’s not even one you only do once. You can recreate your first date every five or 10 years and look back at each iteration of it to see how things have changed. This is sure to inspire some great recollections, all while making new memories.
11. Go Camping
Maybe you’re more outdoorsy and want to stay active on your anniversary. Head to a local state park or travel to a national park you’ve always wanted to visit. Heck, set up a tent in your backyard and make hand puppets with flashlights if you like.
12. Take a Dance Class
Source: shutterstock.com
Nothing wrong with having a date and learning a new skill at the same time. Maybe you’ll get into a new hobby afterward and keep dancing together!
13. Plan a Staycation
If all else fails, go the staycation route. Check into a nice hotel, order room service, maybe hit the hotel bar. If you’ve got kids, this is the ideal balance of having a night away while never being too far if you’re needed.
As long as you plan something intentionally and think about what each other wants out of this date, you can’t go wrong. Get creative!