5 Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas

Marriage, although such a blessing, is hard work. It's lots of "I love you's" and even more "I'm sorrys". It's putting another before yourself. It's constant compromise. It's watching Fixer Upper marathons on a Friday night in pajama pants and spending your weekends on the baseball field. It's tackling the mundane day to day things as well as the out of the ordinary curve balls life throws your way, together. Marriage is to be vulnerable. It's to let another see you not only at your best but also your worst. Marriage is knowing despite this, they, your other half, will love you anyway. It's giving each other grace and promising to always see your imperfect partner as perfect in you eyes.

As I grow older in age, Anniversaries are becoming increasingly special. They are not only romantic but also something to be proud of. Marriage, like anything else good and worth having in life, doesn't always come easy. In fact, I have yet to meet someone who has said "it's a breeze". Marriage is a marathon, not a sprint. A marathon, well worth running of course.

Each year that passes that we are together is a year worth celebrating. It's despite the hustle and bustle spending this time together reminiscing, remembering how and why you fell in love with one another to begin with.

Whether it's a first or 50th Anniversary, it is a day to cherish on another a little more than the others.

So, what do you do to celebrate?

What do you buy for your significant other, the one you love the most?

How do you tell them you still love them after all this time just as much as the day you first exchanged vows? How do you tell them that you are still so grateful to have them by your side? Do you take on a DIY project or buy something extravagant? Do you follow the traditional anniversary gift guide or buy something that suites you two as a couple?

Well for me the number one rule is there are no rules. You don't have to spend a ton of money or spend hours making something off of Pinterest. Do what works for you! Your spouse will appreciate your efforts regardless of the actual gift. Just like so many other things it's the thought that counts here.

Over the years I've given and received some memorable and personal gifts from my husband, some of them better than others. Since Wedding Anniversary's are one of the tougher occasions to shop for I'm sharing some of my favorite ideas here.

As always, click the photos to SHOP and Pin!

1. Date Night: Get dressed up, paint the town red, surprise them and go somewhere special. No, not the local mom and pop Diner or chain restaurant you would take your kids with you to, somewhere different, somewhere romantic. If you can, recreate your first date or go back to the spot where you got engaged. Choose somewhere with sentimental value or a new place he/she has been dying to try. It doesn't have to be over the top or overly fancy, just well thought out. As with all things in love it's always the thought that counts.

2. Personalized Canvas Art -SO this one may actually my favorite of the bunch. Maybe I'm biased because I own one. My husband surprised me, a few years ago, with a custom canvas of one of our wedding photos with our first dance lyrics printed in script. This was so unexpected and so incredibly romantic. I actually still am not quite sure where he got the idea from but, good job! Not only is it a beautiful addition hung in our living room décor wise, it's a constant reminder even on the tough, longer days of our love and our perfect wedding day. These can be customized with wedding vows, first dance lyrics, or another song that's near and dear to your heart.

3. Wooden Plaques-These are another personal and beautiful addition to your home. The rustic farmhouse look is so in right now so you can't go wrong here. You can choose your stain of wood to fit in with your current décor scheme. These plaques can be customized with the date you met, engagement date, wedding date, children's birthdays and more. Really, whatever works for you as a couple. They are handmade so they take some time to produce but are one of a kind.

4. Try Something New Together: Whether it's a salsa dance lessons, skydiving for two, or horseback riding on the beach trying something together is a romantic way to spend your Anniversary. Try a couples massage day or hot air balloon ride. Head to a concert, a comedy show or a play on Broadway. Go camping or fly to Europe just something different. Cook a gourmet meal for two, together. My husband once surprised me with a Segway tour on historical Philadelphia. Whatever you do, enjoy each others company.

5. Small Personalized Gifts

Book Art-I am such a book lover and I think even if you aren't this is a gorgeous gift. These can be customized with your favorite or his favorite book. Etsy is full of gifts from the heart, just like this. Scrabble Family Names-This is so sweet and honors the life you've built as a family. Wedding Date Necklace-This is inexpensive and so romantic. Any girl would love this gift! I Like His/Her Framed Prints-These are for the silly couples but I adore them. You can personalize these and you won't be able to pass them in your home without smiling.