What constitutes an appropriate gift? Well, if this is the final celebration of your "old" anniversary, you're going to want to go heavy on sentimentality.
One option is, of course, jewelry. Now, since you just recently spent a hefty chunk of change on buying your girlfriend a diamond ring -- and since you've got the purchase of two wedding bands to look forward to -- no one's expecting a bank-busting item here. Again, go heavy on sentimentality. Find a nice bracelet, for instance, and engrave it with your anniversary date. This is a great way to preserve the memory forever.
Running with that theme, another option is to engrave a frame with your "old" anniversary date, then put a picture of the two of you in it. (Perhaps the first picture you ever took?)
If you'd like to chill out on the jewelry front for the time being, that's cool, too. There are still plenty of options. For instance, remember the days when true love meant making a mix tape of romantic songs? Well, you can still do that, but you can also take it to the next level. Modernize it. May we suggest the gift of an iPod, complete with some of your girlfriend's favorite love songs? This, again, is a great way to capture the spirit and mood of the relationship you've forged in your premarital years.
Finally, for something a little less complicated (okay, okay -- a little less expensive), flowers and chocolates remain the reigning and defending heavyweight champions of "Honey, I love you" gifts. But since this is a special occasion, let's step it up a notch. Don't just give your girlfriend flowers. Ask yourself: What are her favorite flowers? Most girls love red roses, but many girls also have favorite flowers -- like orchids, carnations, etc. -- which they're used to having to buy for themselves. Go the extra mile here. Think back on some of the flowers your girlfriend may have expressed interest in, or purchased for herself. If you the know the kinds of flowers she wants at the wedding, a bouquet of those would be fantastic, too.
|