Inexpensive wedding anniversary ideas?

[derrick]

I have my wedding anniversary coming up in a few weeks and would like to do something nice for my wife. The problem is that we currently don't have a lot of extra money to splurge on this day. I'm looking for ideas that would make for a memorable wedding anniversary that don't cost a lot of money. I guess I'm specifically asking the married women here what they would like most on a wedding anniversary that wouldn't necessarily cost an arm and a leg, or men that have successfully pulled off a wedding anniversary surprise that was frugal in nature. Any and all help would be appreciated.

[rennigade]

My wife and I arent real big into getting each other gifts for every holiday in the book...or our anniversary, birthdays, etc...

We usually go out to eat and I like to bake a pie that we both had on our honeymoon on oahu. Its a chocolate haupia pie...we had it on the north shore from teds bakery. Its fairly inexpensive to make and we both enjoy it. Of course mine doesnt taste as good as the bakery's...but its still fun.

http://www.tedsbakery.com/ Thats my shameless plug for them, not that they need it.

[hamchan]

We just celebrated our first anniversary. We made a picnic lunch and went to the park where we were married at. I thought it was really nice.

[scfr]

Good question. You could plan a free or inexpensive activity surrounding one of your wife's interests. Or you could tackle one of her household chores that she dislikes. If my husband were to iron some of my clothes for me and then ask me if I wanted to go for a walk around the neighborhood, I'd be in heaven! Something that shows you put some thought in to and demonstrates that you pay attention to her likes & dislikes will be greatly appreciated.

For our last anniversary,which was a "milestone" number, we went out to dinner using a Groupon. We don't exchange gifts.

[snafu]

My suggestion...Check to see if there are any free/inexpensive festivals, event, park promotion in your community that wife might find interesting. Create a special anniversary dinner. If the budget is too tight, concentrate on making one course super special, entree or dessert. Set a classy table with a tablecloth. A spaghetti dinner is easy to make, just follow the recipe but start with a shrimp or crab salad [expensive]. If you prefer chef salad [lettuce in a bag] and spectacular dessert. If you prefer, keep the meal simple and end with a terrific liquor or chose a favorite wine. If you dislike pasta make French Ragout or Hungarian Goulash, easy, cheap and most important delicious.

[mikal]

My suggestions are:
Go for a outing in a park or sunset point.
Choose your wedding anniversary venue carefully.(Try to celebrate in your home)
Choose anniversary gift wisely.
Don't hire professional photographer. Ask one of your friend or family member to take your pics.
Visit a museum or go to a concert.

[AnneJones]

The Best Anniversary Gift

A gift is not just a materialistic thing that we give to the other. A gift may also speak about what we feel about that person. According to me, there is nothing better than giving your loved one a personalized gift. These gifts are not only things but also carry a personal touch with them. Personalized gifts make a person feel more special and privileged.

[ua_guy]

I think it depends on which wedding anniversary you're talking about (is this a milestone?), and also what you're willing to spend. Frugal could mean another weekend in the Hamptons, versus a trip to Paris. Or it could mean a romantic picnic somewhere meaningful, versus an expensive dinner in a highrise.

Also, asking a woman what she'd like for her wedding anniversary is kind of like asking, "what sounds good right now?" -you'll get a million different answers and there's a risk that absolutely none of them could be a good fit for your wife. On here, only you really know her.

To reiterate some of the simpler ideas, do something she'd like to do. Could be as simple as taking her for a walk somewhere she'd enjoy. Or, find a cute but relatively inexpensive place to eat, maybe near the water somewhere. Go explore somewhere neither of you have ever been. If you're near an ocean, small beach towns can have romantic charm, just like a small mountain cabin could have, if you are both into that. Off-season rentals are usually much cheaper if you want to stay in a cottage or cabin for a night.

If you go with a gift, meaning generally goes farther than price.

One thing I've never really understood about wedding anniversaries is the burden on the man to plan and come up with the entire event. I mean, yes, there's chivalry required, and typically the man foots the bill, and much of the focus is on making your wife feel special, loved, and celebrating your time together. But I don't think it should be as one-sided as some men make it out to be. I don't think it would be wrong to ask for a few suggestions, things you could then take and add an element of surprise to, a meaningful twist.

[bigdaddybus]

One thing my wife and I have done well over the years is continued "to date' each other even though we have 4 kids at home. So of the things we have done you might like as anniversary ideas, and I agree with what others have said...its not so much the cost, but if its meaningful and personalized.

1. A month or so ago my wife thought we were going to a movie for a date night. Instead we drove 20 miles to local winery that had live music and we had a couple glasses of wine (folding chairs hid in the trunk). On the way home we stopped by a local towns festival and walked around the rides and I got her an elephant ear. Total cost $30-$40, and she still takes about it
2. One my wife planned awhile ago was a weekend away in a small town that had a winery and racing gocarts. We raced go carts together(for me) and then went to the winery(for her). I joke next time we will do them in the opposite order to make it interesting.
3. surprise picnics at a local state park
4. bike ride to a local ice cream stand
5. out to eat at the first place you went together

they can all be romantic and cheap if done right

[Permanent Temp]

Well I don't know how much you can spend but hubby and I spent about $260 last year for our anniversary and that included a gift exchange and dinner out.

What kind of things does your wife like? I like good food so going out to eat with hubby is great.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Eat dinner go to bed early and enjoy. Or don't leave the bed all weekend. Cheap and very fun...if you want to spend a little money perhaps invest in some bedroom extras (toys, clothes, oils). Oh and include the bathtub, take a bubble bath if you have a large tub. This is something we'd do early in our relationship when we were really broke, we wouldn't leave the house all weekend.

I am surprised no one mentioned this earlier as the funnest, cheapest anniversary idea.

[AnneJones]

Hey BigDaddyBus, they are a whole lot of cool ideas! And yes, money does not matter. What matters most is the love and concern that you show.

[hamchan]

I am surprised no one mentioned this earlier as the funnest, cheapest anniversary idea.

That ship sailed off a long time ago.

[dojo]

I wouldn't want our anniversary to be a burden for us, financially. Maybe a dinner out would be great. And some flowers. I know I'd be thrilled about this. It doesn't have to be costly, what matters is that you remember the day and make it a little more special.

Congratulations, by the way

[dawnwes]

How about creating a small keepsake scrapbook? One page/photo from each year of marriage along with a short description about what made that year special in your relationship that made you love her more.

Another idea might be a homemade coupon book. Each "coupon" with things she can redeem for you to do for her. Backrub, cook dinner, clean kitchen, watch the kids, home repair project, watch a movie of HER choice with her, etc.....