Wedding-Anniversary Guides: First Anniversary

Traditional Motif: Paper

Gemstone: Pearl or Peridot

Color: Yellow

Flower: Pansy

Gift Ideas for First Wedding Anniversaries

• A book
• Stationary
• A letter
• Calendar
• Puzzle
• Game
• A small potted pansy plant
• A ring or other piece of jewelry with a pearl or peridot
• A clock or watch

Celebration Ideas

The first anniversary is a time for reflection. That first year is a time of major adjustment and by reflecting on your first year together you'll see how your love has grown and you marriage has become stronger. Look at wedding pictures or watch your wedding video. If you followed the tradition of keeping part of your wedding cake go ahead and try it. If you didn't save your cake, you can always make a cake to have together.

This is a great time to make a time capsule. Write down your goals as a couple, include current pictures of yourself and maybe even some current trends. Write down some things about your first year together. You'll have a blast when you open it up again in five or ten years, and now you'll have something to do on a future anniversary!

Recreate your wedding menu or enjoy a dinner filled with your favorite foods. Who cares if you end up eating only fruit and dessert? It's a special day, enjoy it. If you're in the mood for recreating try recreating a first date or when he proposed. It's a perfect way to remember the rush of new love and reminisce over how far you've come together. Odds are you still have a list of the songs played at your reception listen to them together and have your first dance all over again.

Another great way to celebrate is to take a second honeymoon. If you can't get away for very long at least check into a nice hotel for the night. If possible get a honeymoon suite.

Odds are that there is something you and your spouse have been talking about doing, but just haven't had the chance to do yet. Maybe your wife has always wanted to see a certain musical, maybe your husband has always wanted to take you fishing, or you both love hiking and have a spot you've always wanted to go. Making arrangements to fulfill one of these dreams is a great way to spend your anniversary.