It's your one year anniversary in a few days, and you're clueless. Instead of scrabbling around the mall evaluating all the one year dating anniversary gifts for him, find the perfect gift without all the effort. From the comfort of your home, explore 16 first year anniversary gifts for your boyfriend from the unique to the inexpensive. As with any gift, it's the thought that counts; even a low-priced present can have tremendous meaning behind it.
Creative One Year Anniversary Gifts
Your guy and relationship are unique, so think outside the box and give him a creative anniversary gift like no other.
Custom Cologne
Take your boyfriend's unique body chemistry and turn it into a one-of-a-kind cologne just for him. At Hawthorne, you can either get your guy a gift card so he can take the quiz and make his own fragrance or you can answer a few questions about him and make one yourself to give as a gift. For about $100 you can get a bottle customized for your guy's fragrance at home and one for his fragrance at work.
Take Lessons Together
Whether it's ballroom dancing or cooking together, taking a course will ensure more time together doing something you both enjoy. Include a sweet card that says something along the lines of, "Although this is our first year, here's to hoping there are many more years of learning together with you." Make the time extra special by throwing in a unique date activity after or before each lesson.
Custom Art
Consider customizing your first year with a portrait of the two of you. For example, AlissaLevy on Etsy will paint or illustrate a portrait. If you don't really want your portrait, consider getting a custom print of places you've been, a location that is especially meaningful during your first year, or something depicting a favorite activity.
Tattoo Session
If your guy loves getting inked or has been talking about a tattoo he's always wanted, book him a session. Since he'll have the tattoo for the rest of his life, he'll always think of you when he sees it. With a gift like this it's important you make it crystal clear you don't expect him to get a tattoo of your name or anything to do with your relationship.
Classic Gifts for Boyfriends
Some gifts are classics because they always go over well, no matter what type of guy you're dating. These gifts play to his interests and serve as the backdrop for creating new memories together.
Custom Sports Jersey
Whether your guy is into basketball, baseball, football, or nearly any other sport you can get him a custom jersey. Simply choose the team he likes best and have his last name embroidered onto the jersey instead of one of the team's players. This classic gift shows you pay attention to the details of what he likes and, since it can be a little pricey, it shows his worth in a concrete way.
Photo Collage
A collection of pictures from your year together brings back nostalgia, plus he'll think of you every time he sees it. Keep it simple by using a collage photo frame from a craft or discount store, or go online to create a fun themed piece. To take it to the next level, make a year-in-review page incorporating pictures and scrapbook items like ticket stubs from your first movie together.
Surprise Trip
Build a new memory by taking your boyfriend on a trip. Some ideas with special meaning for an anniversary include:
- Revisiting the site of your first date
- Going somewhere you've always talked about going together
- Taking a romantic excursion like a moonlit cruise or trip to the wine country
Make it a day, weekend or longer jaunt depending on your time and budget.
Tickets to a Sporting Event
Guys love games, so plan ahead and buy two tickets to a local sporting event and add a special surprise to celebrate the anniversary. Even if there's no national league like the NBA or NFL nearby, other options abound. Depending on the time of year, choices may include:
- The local minor league baseball team
- College basketball, baseball, football or soccer
- Nontraditional games like Quidditch made famous in the Harry Potter novels
Contact the venue ahead of time and ask if they can mark your anniversary with a sign or announcement over the loudspeaker; most smaller parks will be happy to comply. Better yet, see if you can get a meet and greet with some of the players.
Inexpensive One Year Anniversary Gifts for Him
Even if you're broke, you can still show your boyfriend how much this year has meant to you with inexpensive or homemade gifts.
Matching Underwear
An intimate gift like matching underwear can signal your comfort and commitment level whether you've been intimate yet or not. Since underwear is often cheaper than other clothing and apparel items, you won't have to break the bank to make a big statement. For as little as $10 a pair you can choose from several designs and styles to make a matching his and hers set.
DIY Boudoir Book
If your relationship has already gotten physical give him a sexy gift like a DIY boudoir book. Use a tripod or selfie stick to take attractive photos of yourself in lingerie or the outfits you own that he likes best. Buy a small 4 by 6 photo album and insert the pictures you print on your home computer. Add in a few love notes between pictures for a more personal and intimate touch.
Love Coupon Calendar
Make your guy a calendar inspired by the design of an Advent calendar. Help him celebrate the entire month of your first anniversary by giving him something to look forward to each day. Make up individual love coupons that offer up things like control of the TV for one full day without complaint, a foot massage, or a home-cooked meal. You'll need one coupon for each day of the month. Every day your guy can open his gift for the day and you'll fulfill it.
Anniversary Special
Before you take your guy out to lunch or dinner, check with local restaurants to see if you can convince one to serve up your guy's favorite meal as their special that day. If you explain your story, many small businesses will jump at the chance to make a community connection and garner a little marketing too. Make sure they agree to call the special by your guy's name, so he knows you did it just for him when you arrive and order.
Elaborate One Year Anniversary Boyfriend Gifts
When budget's not an issue, you can make a big gesture with an expensive and elaborate gift for your guy. A once-in-a-lifetime experience will conjure fond memories of you long into the future.
Monthly Subscription Box
Shower your guy with gifts for the whole year when you buy him a 12-month subscription to a cool monthly box club. Choose an item he loves more than anything else such as a food or beverage, accessories, or hobby items and you'll likely find a monthly delivery of it. Beer of the Month Club subscriptions run from $30 to $40 per month and deliver at least 12 beers to your guy each month. Sock club will send your guy a cool pair of socks each month for a year for just over $132.
Charter a Private Yacht
Nothing says romance like a private yacht that is just for you and your significant other. You can charter a yacht for one night, one week or even longer to celebrate your first year together. A chartered yacht generally comes with a captain, but often comes with a small staff of a butler and chef. Prices vary significantly depending on what harbor you're leaving from and the size of the yacht and its amenities.
Private Vineyard Tour
Do you and your boyfriend love wine? Call a local winery and arrange to have a private tour, wine tasting, and catered dinner or lunch. The trick to arranging this well is to think of a smaller, more local vineyard. Family owned, smaller wineries are often willing to cater to unusual requests. Likewise, some vineyards simply offer this as an option. If you want to play up the 'paper' theme of a first anniversary, invite your spouse through a large and well placed classified ad. The winery will likely be happy for the free advertising, and there's not a lot more romantic or spontaneous than a classified asking your beau to come out with you for a romantic evening.
Name a Rose After Your Boyfriend
You might think men don't like flowers, but these roses are sure to impress. At World of Roses, specialists cultivate a variety of species that each year are waiting to be named. When you choose this gift, you receive a framed picture and certificate of the named rose, as well as a sampling of your rose for your boyfriend to enjoy for a little while. Talk about making someone feel special.
Coming Up With Ideas for a First Anniversary Gift
It can be challenging to find a great gift that won't break the bank or end up shoved in a drawer. There are three main considerations to keep in mind when selecting a first-anniversary gift for him:
- Choose things you already know he loves and avoid those he hates.
- Look for a way to tie his favorites to your relationship.
- Put your own personal twist or touch on the gift to show it's from your heart.
Guys Aren't Girls
When choosing what to get your boyfriend for your one year anniversary, keep in mind things ladies love - fresh flowers, romantic trinkets, and cute teddy bears - don't always appeal to men. Rather than waste money on knickknacks, think about what he likes and needs. He'll appreciate the thoughtfulness. Next up, start planning some romantic birthday ideas for him.
