Celebrating your mom and dad’s anniversary in style is a token of gratitude for all they have done to nurture and support you. At the very least they deserve a reward for the fact you turned out so great!
An anniversary gift shows not only your appreciation but your understanding of what your parents like and enjoy. Whatever their interests or style, you are sure to find something that they can enjoy together on the day and in the years ahead. Here are some of the most thoughtful and heartfelt presents for you to consider.
Milestone anniversary gifts
Milestone anniversaries, the Silver (25 years), Gold (50 years) and Diamond (60 years) are dates to be celebrated with the wider family and friends. Whilst flowers are an obvious gift for your parents’ anniversary, consider something more long-lasting like this suggested 50th anniversary gift list which includes a rose picked at the peak of perfection and preserved by being dipped in 24 karat gold. Displayed at home, this is a gift they will see daily as a reminder of your love for them.
Plan a party
Whilst gifts are an important part of marking your parents’ anniversary, you can also create new memories with a party. Invite their original bridal party and groomsmen. Involve your parents in the planning so they can let you know the names and contact details of those they wish to invite, including those in the wedding photos that they would love to see again.
Add an element of surprise by arranging for someone to turn up that they do not expect. This could be a bridesmaid living on the other side of the world, or a friend with whom they lost contact and would love to see. Search out this individual and secretly arrange their travel and accommodation so they can make a surprise appearance.
Photographs and stories
We all have hundreds of photographs on our phones but rarely view them after a few days. As a gift, find a photograph of your parents on their wedding day and have this copied and framed with a personalised message alongside a picture of the two of them taken in the last year.
For a milestone anniversary, you could ask family and friends for photographs of your parents that can be uploaded onto an online photo album. Many of these also have space for individuals to write their own message or reminiscences for a gift that can be viewed online but also printed and bound so that they have a copy they can enjoy perusing at home.
Personalised Gifts
From Bobble Heads to cushion covers, you can create a unique gift that will look just like your mom and dad. There are many artists online that can take a photograph of your parents and create a variety of art for them to display at home. This could also include a portrait of the couple with their pets or with their immediate family.
Other ideas include a charcuterie board engraved with their names and a special message or perhaps matching bathrooms with their monogram for daily comfort. If you have the talent, a hand-crafted gift to your parents would be extra special.
Food and wine basket
If your parents plan to celebrate their anniversary at home, create a hamper of fine foods that will make a good meal. Alternatively, a hamper with goodies they can share with those who they will be seeing as part of their anniversary celebrations, such as retro sweets from their childhood, or food and drink from their favourite holiday destination.
Hand casting kit
A hand casting kit will allow your parents to create a gorgeous 3D sculpture at home of the two of them holding hands. A kit will require them to hold hands within an alginate mixture for a maximum of two minutes.
This is a gift that grandchildren will be fascinated to watch their grandparents do, partly because the mix “magically” changes colour from white to pink before turning back to white again and because they will see in the sculpture incredible skin detail, including the replication of the most detailed rings your parents are wearing.