Hi moms, I need help with a gift idea for my husband. We were in the middle of a divorce all summer and in the last 2 months have reconciled and I am back home. Our anniversary is the 15th (we'll be celebrating on the 20th), our 7th anniversary. As you can imagine it's been a very hard year and I want to do something that will let him know just how much I love him and am committed to making our marriage work. After all the attorneys fees we have $0 extra for gifts but I do have the girls going to grandma's that Saturday overnight. What things could I make, or things we could do to celebrate?
You could give him a coupon book with things like "good for 1 massage", "good for 1 foot rub", "good for 1 back scrub", etc. Be as creative as you feel comfortable. Good luck.
Kudos to you for making this work and re-establishing a stable home for your children.
If you can't spend money just do something nice at home. Your thoughtfulness and actions will be remembered and appreciated. Your girls won't be there so set up a special dinner (his favorite maybe), and reconnect.
Wear something that he likes....could be your sexiest lingerie or one of his tshirts. You both need stress relief...what about a massage? If you can swing it, a bottle of wine or champayne to toast to new beginnings.
Best wishes!
Alison,
One year my husband gave me a wonderful gift. I think you might find it "free" and really a great thing considering your recent reconciliation.
He took a vase that we already had and placed in it some heart shaped construction paper with little sayings on them, like how much he loved me, and little quirks about our marriage. You could layer it with candy or your husbands favorite snack. I bet it will be fun to watch him read all the hearts and bring back some great fond memories for both of you! :)
If you have a color printer, go to:
http://familycrafts.about.com/od/coupons/tp/couponsprint.htm
Select the coupons that you want to print and print them off. One free 'get out of trouble' pass, one free day off from taking out the trash, , one free massage, or whatever. Punch a whole in them and tie them with a pretty ribbon.
Also, you can take a favorite picture of the 2 of you and blow it up and/or frame it so he can bring it to work and put it on his desk.
Or:
If you two are spiritual, then copy 1 corinthians 13: 4-7
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." Type it up in word and change the font to a pretty cursive writing and frame it for his nightstand in the bedroom.
do you have any family photos that were taken at a happy point in your lives? you could even check with family or friends to see if they have photos. you can get a frame at the dollar store and decorate it or even decorate one you have at home. A memorable photo might help him remember and realize how important it is for him to have a permanent place in your family. You could also plan a special breakfast in bed meal that you have already prepared in advance. Between the day of your anniversary and "the big night" you could write him little notes with sincere messages on what you like about him and how important he is in your life. Good luck. I hope you both make the commitment to work on your marriage. Also if you don't have a supportive church in your lives, find one. Pray for the healing of your marriage.
I always like to do home dates, it reminds me of when we first got together and couldn't afford to go out so we would make each other dinners and eat by candle light and play romantic music. make a picnic in your living room, light candles and have dinner. listen to music then maybe take a relaxing bath together or give each other massages.
Hi Alison, how about a photo album or slide show reviewing the years you've had together. It will take the focus off of the bad year and remind you of the good times. You could include dating, wedding, birth of kids, vacations, etc.
Other than that, cook his favorite meal and maybe prepare a bath surrounded by candles.
One of the things I have done for my husband in the past sounds kind of goofy, but he loved it. We really wanted to go to Italy on vacation, but could not afford it. So I brought Italy to us. I downloaded some Italian style music from lime wire(free), I made mannicoti, salad and a loaf of garlic bread (got it from Albertson's it was the bread loafs they have fresh every afternoon cost like a buck or something and I served a laughing cow cheese spread with it.) We don't drink, but we had our tea in wine glasses. When he got home, I was dressed in a dress that has a full skirt and heels with make up and hair done, nails painted. I met him at the door(music playing) kissed him and welcomed him to our Italian villa. :) That was over 5 years ago. Since then we occasionally do the same type thing with different countries/foods.. It is our favorite night...Hope you have a wonderful anniversary!
You received some great ideas...kudos to you for sticking in there (not sure of the history) and doing something special and not spending. Something after the anniversary/holidays, etc. I would suggest is you two attending (separatly) a wonderful training that saved my marriage. You work on "you" but it helps every aspect of your life. They help if you can't pay and the first part (basic 1) is only $79. Check out www.sosinc.org. When you go to basic 2, your husband should go to basic 1. My husband did not want to go, this is not his thing...in the end he thanked me. Some friends have gone too and they all say "thank you for saving my life". Trust me...it worked. We were beyond "done" too. Good luck!!
Very happy for both of you! You could cut tiny strips of paper and write on each one something you love about your husband and put them in a box (or other container) with a bow. I hope you have a wonderful anniversary celebration!
I'm so glad you are reconciled! Some things you can do are go places to look at stuff/pretty views, strolling hand in hand and chatting. Stay home and dress up (wedding dress still fit? What about your honeymoon "gear"?) Put on some music you have or streaming from the internet, and dance with your shoes off. Make something in the kitchen that requires effort/wine and eat it by candlelight. Reminisce, give a full body massage, dance FOR him, anything like that. Those things are priceless and free. Sparks will fly. ;)
Enjoy and smile!
~Angela
You could make him a special dinner then go out for a nice dessert. That would cut down on $ plus the candle lit dinner at home would be just the 2 of you to talk, share, and remember all of the good times you have shared. Then go out someplace fancy or to a mall to look at decorations and eat a wonderful dessert. Best of both worlds. The 7th year was our hardest!!!! Good Luck.
How about a "gratitude box", it doesn't cost hardly anything. (use a shoe box and have the girls decorate it) If you can write a couple of special notes to him from you and some from your girls, some friends and family; Some examples are:
"What I love about you..."
"Thank you for..."
"My Holiday Wish for you..."
I haven't seen any of the other answers yet, I'm sorry if this was already written.
Hi Alison!
You've received lots of great suggestions, and I want to throw in my 2 cents to contribute to a wonderful anniversary celebration! First and above all...I want to wish you a huge congratulations on reconciling your marriage. I am so encouraged by both your and your husband's committment to work through the difficulties in your relationship. Way to continue perserving in faithfulness!!!
One thing I did for my husband is a treasure hunt. I wrote out clues that led to different parts of the house. The final clue led him to his "treasure," which was a little box filled with gold nuggets. The gold nuggets were actually pieces of dark chocolate (which my husband loves) wrapped with slips of paper. Each slip of paper told something about him that I appreciated, respected or was thankful for. I then wrapped the paper and chocolate in gold foil paper (from Hobby Lobby) to look like a treasure of gold! I know you mentioned not having any money so if you decide to do this, then you can modify it a bit with what you have laying around the house.
Also, some other women mentioned this...but for most men the best gift you can give them is yourself...naked!!! :) Seriously, most men are ministered to by a night of intimacy with their wife far above any fancy date out and about (that's for us ladies!). If you are like most ladies, then you may have insecurities about your body, but if you can set them aside to be creative and dress up for him, dance around, be playful etc. then he will LOVE it-I guarantee it!
I pray this is your sweetest anniversary celebration yet!!!
Love in Christ,
Lisa :)
I am so glad to know that y'all are working it out! You could plan on having a candle light picnic in living room or bed room floor. Or even in frount of fire place. Personalize a card or note telling him how you feel and how thankful you are that you are back home! And at the end you can tell him what you would like to do to him that night (you know what i am saying).
A Little about me
I am a self employed mom of 2 wonderful kids. Son is 9 daughter is 5. Married to my God sent husband for 10 years.
Hi Alison,
What about if the two of you have a romantic night like snuggle in bed or have a bubble bath together or watch some
romantic movies make popcorn or make your favorite dinner ! Sometime the little things in life are the most expensive ,just spending time together is the best thing ever ! You could make him a card and tell him that your marriage and your girls are the most important things to you!Have a wonderful night and enjoy each other.
A little about me :
I'm a mother of 2 and been married for 3 1/2 years.
Make him a coupon book for backrubs, special meals, uninterrupted football games, whatever would be great for him. Punch holes in it, tie it w/ribbon, cost=$0!
What a touching story of two people making their marriage work! Great job!!! I would fix yourself up to be absolutely beautiful to him and make him an aweseome meal with dessert and all. Serve him. And of course finish the evening off with wearing the best lingerie you can find! You guys deserve a great anniversary, most people give up and get divorced! Seriously, way to go!!! Keep it up! I highly encourage you to read "Created to be His Help Meet." Whoa, the book will knock you off your feet while teaching you to be the best wife possible! It changed my life!
clean the house, make a special candle light dinner with light classical music playing in the background, dress in a sexy lingier, serve him his dinner.... make a scrap book of the good times in your marriage... www.marthastewart.com
good luck.