Relationships are usually celebrated through anniversaries and gifts. How many celebrated anniversaries are too many and slightly obsessive? I was one of those people who celebrated or acknowledged the first month, six month and one year anniversary. I’m sorry people, but celebrating every month is a little too much for me to handle.
I think acknowledging it with a, “Wow! We’ve been dating three months already, time sure flies when you’re happy,” is completely legit.
Forcing someone to take you out every month to celebrate another anniversary or expecting a gift is a bit ridiculous.
I have a friend who is about to celebrate a one year anniversary and I’m really excited for him and his girlfriend. But he’s been pressed with the issue of finding her an appropriate gift. He is right now between a ring or bracelet. My vote is for the bracelet.
The thing with gifts is how they come across. You never want to give a ring-sized box and have someone think they’re going to be getting a promise or engagement ring, only to open it and find a pair of earrings. Or on the other hand be ready to propose and have the other person hoping that earrings will be in that box.
If you know that your girl isn’t looking, wanting or asking for a ring anytime soon then you should be clear. But if your girl is a hopeless romantic ready for that sign of commitment, be wary of the size of box you give her.
A bracelet I think in the case of my friend is a good gift for a one year anniversary. It’s a piece of jewelry that will be special to her but she can add more Pandora charms to it if things don’t bode well for their relationship.
Just be careful with cliché symbols like hearts. I have a tiffany heart-shaped gold ring that my ex gave me for Christmas. It’s a beautiful ring and definitely was not cheap, but considering we’re not together, I don’t plan to sport that thing on my finger anytime soon.
Also stay away from personalized things. My ex will always see “Merry Christmas, Love Heather” on his ipod. Though a bit comical, at the same time it has to be a bit awkward for him and his new girlfriend.
Be careful of really expensive items as well. I wouldn’t shell out a lot of money unless you know it’s a committed relationship.
Now what are appropriate gifts and things to give for anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas, etc.
By no means do I want you to stay away from jewelry. I loved getting jewelry and I think it can be really special, just be wary about what kinds you get.
I am all for tickets to things. Many say events are more memorable and make better gifts. With this being said, guys you may have to suck it up and buy those tickets to that thing she loves (musicals, art openings, chick flicks, etc).
I hope all of you have seen the Old Spice commercials where the man played by Isaiah Mustafa, is teaching men how to smell as good as him. In it he has an oyster filled with tickets that then change to diamonds. It’s a great commercial, if you haven’t seen it check it out online.
Anyways, besides that plug for Old Spice, memorable gifts such as tickets are usually well received. Even more so when a girl knows their guy is giving up a Saturday night out with the guys and a keg to see Swan Lake.
Other good gifts are practical things that will be used often. I know stuffed animals are a classic gift, but in a year from now, scratch that a week from now, what is that stuffed puppy dog doing, sitting in a corner collecting dust.
A practical gift would be a CD, DVD or book they’ve really been wanting. They will use it and keep it. Clothes are sometimes good, yet can seem impersonal depending on the situation. I wouldn’t recommend buying new socks for your one month anniversary.
If someone has a hobby of knitting, collecting snow globes, scrapbooking, etc. things that they can contribute to that is also good and are usually welcomed gifts.
I personally am a purse fanatic and that would be something I would find to be a fabulous gift, but most likely for a bigger holiday or birthday. I wouldn’t expect that on the third Tuesday of our second month together anniversary.
Guys, in the end, girls just want to feel loved and appreciated. I know I would take a homemade card or a cooked meal over a store bought item. And sometimes simple is the best, dedicate a song, print out all the funny pictures of the two of you and frame them, write down your inside jokes or reasons why you like the other person.
In the end materialistic things only go so far. So happy (insert month, number, day) anniversary and I hope you celebrate the best way for the two of you.
Heather Gromley can be reached at hgroms@gmail.com.