First Anniversary Ideas

From decorations to gifts, first anniversary ideas traditionally include paper.

Your first anniversary is a very special celebration.

The past twelve months have been a time of adjustments - some good, some not so good.

So, what better day than your wedding anniversary to reflect on the past year?

Some couples make a list of their five favorite moments during the past year. This is a great way for couples to communicate to each other what makes them happy.

It is also a good time for couples to look to the future and discuss things that you would like to accomplish together over the next year.

WAYS TO CELEBRATE

Many couples choose to celebrate their first anniversary quietly and simply.

Below are first anniversary ideas to help you celebrate.

• Out On The Town

  A dinner at a favorite restaurant followed by a special concert, play or movie can be a fun way to celebrate your first anniversary.

  Or make a tradition of having dinner at the restaurant or hotel where your wedding reception was held.

• At Home

  Stay home and prepare a special meal together. Use your wedding China and crystal. Make it romantic with plenty of candlelight and soft music.

  After the meal, watch your wedding video or look through your wedding pictures. Relive the funny, exciting, and special moments of your wedding day.

• Picnic

  A picnic is always a fun idea for a couple. If the weather is bad, then spread a paper tablecloth on your living room floor.

  Be sure to use paper plates, paper napkins and paper cups to go with the whole paper theme.

• With Close Friends

  The first year of marriage is usually a very active time for a couple. If you were too busy to spend much time with your friends, have a small dinner party to celebrate your first anniversary. Invite your close friends - especially, your honor attendants.

  Be sure to give your guests paper hats and paper horns to help celebrate this special day!

• Second Honeymoon

  Start a tradition of escaping out of town for each anniversary. An overnight trip to a nearby resort or a bed and breakfast is a great first anniversary idea. Take time to relax and reflect on the happy memories from the past year.

• Theme Ideas

  If you had a theme wedding, then recreate that theme for your first anniversary.

  If you were married on a beach, go back to that beach and have a picnic or find a new beach each year to celebrate this special day.

  For a Renaissance wedding, serve a medieval feast for the two of you.

  If there is a sport's team or an activity that you both enjoy, make a tradition out of this pastime for each anniversary.

DECORATIONS

Use decorations in your wedding colors for this special occasion. Hang paper streamers and paper wedding bells from the ceiling.

Use a paper banner that says, "Happy Anniversary".

For your centerpieces, use the same type of flowers as those at your wedding. Or use paper flowers to stay with the paper theme.

If you kept candles from your wedding ceremony and reception, melt them down and make one "anniversary" candle. Light this candle together on each wedding anniversary.

MUSIC

Play the same songs that were played at your wedding reception or play songs that hold a special meaning to you as a couple.

Be sure to play your wedding song and share a romantic dance together - once again.

MENU

If possible, serve the same foods that were served at your wedding reception.

Or make a meal that includes both of your favorite foods.

If you saved the top of your wedding cake, bring it out and share it together for this special first anniversary meal.

GIFT IDEAS

The traditional gift for the first year anniversary is paper.

While you don't have to give a gift of paper, it is fun to stay with the gift traditions for each year. Plus, it helps give you ideas for each anniversary gift!

For your anniversary create a tradition that will keep your spouse wondering just how you will interpret this year's traditional anniversary gift.

Traditional First Anniversary Ideas

• Books - A book that reflects your spouse's interest. An example would be a cookbook. Or give a first-addition or a signed book by his/her favorite author.

• Stationery printed with the couple's initials
• A special love letter or poem that you write.
• Calendars - Have a custom calendar made with pictures taken during the past year.
• A newspaper or favorite magazine subscription
• Paper covered box filled with favorite candy, perfume, new money, love coupons, etc.
• Jigsaw puzzles - Have a portrait puzzle made from a favorite wedding photo.
• Tickets to a favorite play, concert or sporting event
• Scrapbooking supplies
• Art prints
• Sheet Music
• Paper mache' jewelry or figurine
• Fine cigars
• Have your marriage license framed. Hang it in your bedroom to remember your continued commitment to each other.
• Road map where you have circled a destination for a special wedding anniversary celebration.

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