5 Romantic, Inexpensive Anniversary Celebrations

Chris Birk — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 10:00:18 +0000

You can’t quantify love.

It's not exactly a catchy, Beatles-esque hook, but it's true nonetheless.

Happily wedded couples have known for years that some of best anniversary gifts are often the most inexpensive. The idea is certainly more appealing during tight economic times, but there's an evergreen, more romantic ideal lurking here as well.

No doubt, the sparkly tennis bracelet or pricey tool set comes as a nice surprise. But some of the most powerful and long-cherished gifts are rooted in creativity, originality, and, dare we say, frugality. Here are a few ideas for inexpensive anniversary gifts. (See also: 24 Tips From a 24-Year-Old Marriage)

1. Explore the Great Outdoors

Go camping for the weekend. If your anniversary comes during one of the changing seasons, this is a great option. Make sure to plan your meals and check the camping site’s amenities.

Camping may be too ambitious for some couples, but a picnic surely isn’t. A surprise picnic is even better. For the ultra crafty, outfitting a kite with an “I Love You” banner would be the icing on the cake. A slightly more costly but still-frugal option is to rent a boat for a day. Again, that option depends on weather. Couples can still make it special by packing their own food and celebratory champagne.

2. Surprise Each Other

Decide which one of you will spearhead certain surprises. For instance, one of you makes dinner, plans a post-meal activity and a night cap while the other does something similar on the following day. Think of some of your first dates and incorporate their best moments into your anniversary celebration. Miniature golfing, bowling, or maybe just a walk around town to a sentimental location can remind you of your first times together.

3. Go Green

Simulate a blackout by unplugging all the lights and electronics so you’re forced to rely on candles and/or a fire. Feel free to bend the rules to put on romantic tunes or finish preparing a candle-lit dinner. Then cuddle up and enjoy the dark.

4. Hop in the Car and Go

Pack a few bags for a spontaneous road trip together. Going far is not the crux of having fun here. Instead, go wherever the road takes you. Don’t forget a road map so you have a general idea of where you are once you get there. Otherwise, forget your inhibitions about planning and just go for it.

5. Stay Home

With time off, couples often want to travel. Planning for trips has the propensity to cause stress and can put a crunch in the celebratory feeling. Prepare for a “staycation” instead. Turn off the cell phones, computers, and other bothersome communication devices.

Anniversaries are a natural time to reconnect with your partner, reminisce about good times, and prepare for plenty more. Celebrating love does not have to be expensive, and when it’s celebrated best, it hardly costs a thing.

This article is from Chris Birk of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Make 5 cheap ‘greeting cards’ that blow Hallmark away.

Paul Michael — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 16:52:24 +0000

Before I share with you my 5 great ways to make outstanding greeting cards, I'd like to rant about the four issues I have with store-bought greeting cards, like those produced by Hallmark in the millions.

The first is the price. On average, $4-$5 for a folded piece of card with a stock photo and a humdrum message seems just a little overpriced to me.

Second, the messages themselves are so generically impersonal, I have a hard time believing you couldn’t write something better yourself that’s really from the heart. That’s why, if I am absolutely in a rush and have no time, I’ll buy a blank card and write the verse myself.

Third, the printing of the price on the back of the card. I know, I’m cheap. But it’s the first thing people look at when they’re shopping around for cards. It’s kind of a “yes, I like that person…but not enough to buy this $5 card.” Then, the reverse happens. That person casually glances at the back of the card you do buy and says “hmm, they like me…but only enough to buy a $2.99 card. I’ll be moving them down my speed dial list.” It’s like Hallmark is guilting us into buying the more expensive ones.

Finally, it’s the occasions now available. “Congratulations on taking the toll road this morning” or “Sorry to hear your ex-wife got remarried.” If you can think of it, there’s a card for it. Argh. Sorry, rant over.

Anyway, I’ve always tried to make my own cards. My wife, my folks, my nieces, they’ve all received them and they all love them to pieces. And guess what. They’re cheaper, more original and way more impressive than anything you can get in the card aisle. So here are 5 cards you can make quickly and easily, with very little talent required. And I guarantee, you will be in that person’s good books for months. (By the way, I’m assuming everyone has things like scissors, glue, and the usual office supplies.)

Number 1 – The message in a bottle. $2.15 - $3.15

Shopping list -
1 glass bottle with cork - $2 (I got mine from Michaels, try any craft store)
1 piece of scrapbooking paper – 15 cents (choose a theme appropriate to the message)
A few small shells from the beach – FREE (or, get a bag for $1 from a craft store)

Instructions -
Do I have to spell it out? Ok. Take the cork out of the bottle, write a lovely message on the paper, put a few shells in the bottom of the bottle, roll up the paper, pop it inside and put the cork back on. Really simple. Do it on Valentine’s Day or an anniversary, or a message to friends/relatives overseas. Trust me, it’s a winner.

Number 2 – The Sweetheart Note. $1.65 - $2.00

Shopping list -
1 box of sweethearts candy – 50 cents
1 piece of scrapbooking paper – 15 cents (choose a theme appropriate to the message)
1 large envelope – Around $1
Glue

Instructions -
This one takes a little creative thinking, but c’mon, you can do it. Take a box of sweethearts candy, tip them out onto the kitchen table and find the ones most appropriate to your message. Then, simply write your message on the paper, and replace certain words/phrases with candy sweethearts. For instance….you have always been my love and I will give you 2000 hugs every day…etc, etc.

You have to glue the candy onto the paper, so it’s inedible (unless you use sugar paste) but the message and the delivery is great. Just pop the finished masterpiece into your envelope and wait for the reaction. It’s really only for couples, but any occasion between two lovers is fine…a marriage proposal, anniversary, Valentine…anything.

3 – Photographic Memory - $1.00

Shopping list -
1 photograph of something special – 20 cents
1 piece of card – 30 cents
1 envelope – Around 50 cents
Glue

Instructions -
It’s the thought that counts on this one.
Find a photograph of something very special between yourself and the recipient. Maybe it’s a photograph of the bench where you had your first kiss. Maybe it’s you as a young child. It’s really anything that has sentimental value.

Just glue that to the front of a folded piece of card, with a headline underneath like REMEMBER WHEN…
With a touching message inside, you’ll hit a home run every single time. It’s personal, it’s from the heart, and it’s about 4 times cheaper than your average greeting card.

4 – Origami 101 – 95 cents

Shopping list -
3 sheets of scrapbooking paper – 45 cents
1 envelope – Around 50 cents
Origami pattern (free on the Internet or from your local library)

Instructions -
Ok, you’ll need a few practice runs at this one, which is why I’ve included 3 sheets of paper in the budget. Scrapbooking paper is perfect because it’s square, and almost all origami patterns start with a square sheet of paper.
Find a pattern appropriate to your occasion (there are thousands of patterns out there), and also your skill level. Be realistic. I’ve included a link to get you started here .
Practice on your two sheets of paper. You want to get this right. Then, write your message on the 3rd sheet of paper, fold it into your Origami shape and pop it into your envelope. The words on the paper will be visible but the message won’t be readable until the recipient opens up the folded paper. It’s a nice surprise.

5 – The Candy Bar Wrapper - $1 – whatever you want to spend!

Shopping list -
1 sheet of scrapbooking paper – 15 cents
1 candy bar – Anywhere from 30 cents to as expensive as you want to go
Pens, pencils, markers (or use a desktop printer)
Scissors, glue.

Instructions -
This one requires the most skill if you want it to look authentic. I happen to have training in Photoshop and Illustrator so I’m good to go. But that really doesn’t matter. As far as I’m concerned, anything that takes your thought and your time will be looked upon wonderfully by your loved one, even childish scrawl.
So, pick your candy bar. Probably something the shape of a Hershey Bar to make life easy, but if you want to attack a Toblerone be my guest. Measure and cut your piece of paper to size, then write a nice message with a catchy headline.

A few ideas –
A Giant Hershey’s Kiss – COULD I GIVE YOU A KISS?
Any candy bar – I’M SWEET ON YOU

Those ones just popped into my head, they are lame. And they are based around Valentine’s Day, but this could work for a birthday or any other occasion. So, there you have it. 5 great cards, cheap as can be and full of thought and personality. I guarantee any one of these will make you look like a superstar. Have fun with them!

This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: