Anniversaries—Home Style

Kathryn Jones, “Anniversaries—Home Style,” Ensign, Aug. 1988, 74
Not enough money and too many children. Those were the excuses we used for staying home on our anniversary year after year. Finally, though, I realized that being practical and being uncreative didn’t have to go together. So I came up with some ideas for celebrating at home that can be even more memorable than an evening out.

For the truly adventurous, try something different on your anniversary. You might:

1. Make kites and fly them.

2. Pull taffy.

3. Have a bubble-blowing contest.

4. Camp in the backyard.

5. Study up on a part of the world you’ve always wanted to visit but couldn’t afford to. Then plan your day or evening (including food, music, and activities) around what is customary in that area.

If you have more conservative tastes and want to celebrate simply, you might try some of these ideas:

1. Sip hot chocolate while setting goals for the coming year.

2. Buy or make your spouse one of his or her favorite foods. Wrap it up, then open and eat it later in the evening.

3. Write each other a love note and share it during or after a candlelight dinner.

4. Watch the stars come out and reminisce about the past year.

5. Have an outdoor breakfast at sunrise.

6. Fill a picnic basket with cheese, crackers, meat spreads, and fruit. Have a picnic in the backyard or in front of the fireplace.

7. Bear your testimonies to each other.

8. Read an article together and discuss it.

When unavoidable schedule conflicts arise—important Church assignments, business trips, or illnesses—reschedule your anniversary celebration instead of dumping it altogether. The days are not nearly as important as the chance to be together and celebrate your marriage.—Kathryn Jones, Murray, Utah