It is a wonderful thing when the right two people find each other and fall in love. When that love is right and results in a marriage that lasts a lifetime, each anniversary should be celebrated in a romantic way. Some people like to go out on the town and celebrate. Others like to throw a big party every anniversary. But, every couple should set aside some anniversaries to celebrate at home with just the two of them. Other anniversaries can be celebrated with romantic outings for two like a picnic in a favorite spot, a candle-lit restaurant date for two, a movie, or enjoying a favorite place.
Wine and Chocolate For Two
Finding the perfect meal for two is a good start to a memorable anniversary celebration. Planning and executing the perfect romantic meal can be half the fun. Cooking together is often a favorite pastime for long-married couples. Consider pairing wine and chocolate for dessert. The happy couple can begin their anniversary celebration early with the search for the perfect chocolate and wine pairing. Then they can purchase those treats and the rest of the perfect meal together.
The perfect anniversary meal should include foods both people like or even foods that they enjoyed at their wedding or on their honeymoon. If the couple has a favorite wine, they can search for the perfect chocolate dessert to go with it. Or, if there is a chocolate dessert they especially like, they can look for the perfect wine to drink with it. An anniversary is a very special occasion for a couple, so this is a time to splurge on a really good wine to share.
There is a special kind of wine called Petillant Natural or Pet-Nat. This is a sparkling wine that is a little wilder than Champagne. It is a combination of grape varieties and flavors and is bottled in the first fermentation of winemaking. The sugars from the grapes provide the bubbles, and different varieties provide the special flavor and sweetness. The trick is to find the right variety of Pet-Nat and chocolate to play off and compliment each other. Think about a combination of chocolate and fruit.
Some Memorable Anniversary Celebration Ideas
Even in a time of social distancing, high travel costs, and rising inflation, life’s milestones should still be celebrated. Home-based anniversary celebrations can be memorable and romantic. Each person can shop for the perfect gift to give their partner that shows continuing love and thoughtfulness. Home can include the backyard or patio for a super anniversary date night or spending the whole day together.
Here are some fun ideas that have worked for other loving couples.
- For anniversaries during warm weather, couples can make a romantic campout with a tent, a sleeping bag for two, and a campfire. Special foods can be made in advance and brought to the backyard campout, or a gourmet food order can be placed to be delivered just in time. If sleeping outdoors is not appealing, the party can be moved inside when it is time for bed.
- A special movie night can be planned with favorite romantic movies rented and popcorn and other special treats prepared in advance. A great way to celebrate is with wine and chocolates because no driving is involved.
- Plan a special themed dinner that both parties like and then cook it together. For those who need a little help cooking, there are meal subscription services that deliver everything needed for a gourmet meal along with recipes and instructions. Prepare for this special celebration by cleaning the kitchen and dining room in advance and obtaining all the needed supplies and ingredients. This is a great time to get out the wedding china and crystal. And, if there was no wedding china or crystal, now would be a great time to buy some. No need for a setting for 12. Start with a setting for two and add a couple of settings for each anniversary.
- Start the anniversary by waking up together and having a special breakfast to begin a special day together. Think about preparing the main ingredients the night before so the breakfast can be quickly completed and then taken back to bed. Breakfast in bed can have all the romance an anniversary deserves.
- Plan a special romantic picnic in the backyard or in front of the living room fireplace. All you need is a nice blanket and a picnic basket for the food and wine. You can order a gourmet picnic from a specialty food store or make your own using favorite foods.
- Plan a romantic evening with a specially decorated romantic bedroom and bath. Shower or bath together, give each other massages, play around and get intimate at your own pace.
- Why not recreate at least parts of your first date or that whirlwind time of new love and romance leading up to the marriage proposal? What were your favorite things you did together on dates? What made you fall in love with each other?
- Think about following up the home anniversary celebration with a weekend getaway to a favorite place. Some people like to surprise their partner, but planning an outing together is a more enjoyable option.
- Don’t forget the flowers. Flowers can be given in a big bouquet, in a vase already perfectly arranged, or scattered around with love notes. Roses are wonderful anniversary flowers, but it is important to know what your partner’s favorite flowers are and include them in any anniversary bouquet. There should always be love notes with flowers and other gifts.
- Pull out the wedding album or video and enjoy a day of remembering your wedding and honeymoon. If the photos are not collected in an album, make one for this special day. Do your friends have photos from that day that they can make you copies of? Then, arrange a photo shoot to add formal portraits of you on your anniversary. It would be great to find photos of each year of marriage to add to the marriage album.
The most important consideration is what will make each partner happy. Do not make the mistake of planning an anniversary celebration without consulting your partner. This is a time to plan together with love.
