Anniversary Gifts with Staying Power

When it comes to anniversary gifts for your spouse, where are you at? Do you feel energized and inspired to pick out the perfect gift? Or does it feel like yet another occasion to acquire more “stuff” that will end up in next year’s donate pile? Maybe you keep it minimal with a card and flowers (which also just end up in the trash). Maybe for this very reason you’ve decided not to do gifts at all – and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Your wedding anniversary is a milestone to cherish and celebrate, but when it comes to the gift aspect, we’d agree – we can do better! Instead of gifts that seem generic, disposable or expensive with short shelf lives, what if you opted for ideas with a much longer payoff? If you’re wondering what we mean, here are 4 types of anniversary gifts with staying power.

The Experience

Whether it’s a concert, theater production, trip to an amusement park, or another novel opportunity to do something fun and special together, the idea is that you’re getting out and having an adventure with your spouse, making lasting memories. Sharing new experiences strengthens your bond and boosts those feel-good endorphins you had when you first started dating. Take a few photos and videos to capture the excursion for posterity, but overall try to stay off your phones as much as you can. Focus on being fully present and in the moment. After all, that is what an experience is all about.

The Getaway

Whether it’s slipping away for one night, a (long) weekend, or a full-length vacation, this one takes some planning, but it can be a great option for big milestone anniversaries. If you have a bigger one coming up, consider how you might plan for it both financially and logistically. For example, maybe instead of buying each other smaller gifts for other occasions, you put the money toward the trip instead. While this could fall into the Experience category itself, this version is more about having a chance to escape into a little bubble and focus only on each other. Come back feeling closer and more committed than ever – an invaluable gift to your marriage!

The Thing That Makes Your Life Easier

Have you ever thought, “I wish we could spend less time doing _____,” or “Help with ______ would take so much off our plate.” If so, then consider how you could translate that into a gift to yourselves. Things like meal delivery subscription, house cleaning, lawn service, or grocery delivery are things that you might not typically be willing to shell out the bucks for. However, even if you just do a trial run for a few months, it can be a nice little reprieve from those day-to-day tasks that are weighing you down. Then be intentional about how you use that freed up time or mental energy – ideally you can spend it with your spouse doing something you enjoy.

The Investment in Your Wellbeing

Your health and wellbeing are just as important to invest in as your marriage – why not combine the two? If you and your spouse have been wanting to get in shape, take your health and fitness to the next level, or simply be the best versions of yourselves you can be, consider things you can invest in as a gift to yourselves, your marriage, and your future. Maybe you start working with a personal trainer or nutritionist together or purchase something that gets you motivated and excited – like new bikes, that home gym setup you’ve been eyeing, or even upgrading your currently worn out gear. And let’s not forget, wellbeing isn’t just about physical activity. Expand your thinking to include things like sleep quality (how old is your mattress?), stress management (couples massages!) and mental health (you don’t need marriage problems to benefit from counseling!)

At the end of the day, the best anniversary gift is one that keeps giving – to your marriage, your happiness, and your life together. If you’re looking for a way to shake up your gifting strategy, then consider skipping the things that just collect dust. Instead, choose something you’ll still be talking about or benefiting from when your next anniversary rolls around.