10 Ideas for a Memorable Anniversary Celebration

anniversary celebration

 The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Anniversaries come and go so quickly that sometimes it's hard to make your current anniversary more meaningful than the last. You might even look back on some wedding anniversaries and forget what you did to celebrate. Your plans don't need to be lavish for the occasion to be memorable. 

Regardless of what year you're celebrating, here are some unique, fun, and unforgettable anniversary celebration ideas inspire you to make the most of every anniversary you share with your partner. 

  • 01 of 10

    Renew Your Wedding Vows

    Older couple renewing vows
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    Now, we're not suggesting to renew your wedding vows on your 4th wedding anniversary. This anniversary celebration is designated for more milestone moments, like your 20th, 25th, or 50th. If you're feeling a desire to reconnect with your partner in a really meaningful way, who says you can't renew your vows on your 37th anniversary? 

  • 02 of 10

    Give Back to a Cause That Matters to You Both

    Soup kitchen volunteer
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    Anniversaries are all about connecting with each other but also about connecting with the things that matter to you both. If there is a cause or charity you are passionate about, take some time out on that day to give back. Perhaps you each have your own charity or volunteer activity. Make the time to do both and learn more about what drives your partner. 

  • 03 of 10

    Plan an Exciting Vacation

    Man and woman on a romantic getaway
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    It's easy to think that in an ideal world, we would all pack up and take the most exciting, lavish vacation we could afford on our anniversaries. The problem is that sometimes jobs and finances don't allow us to take an Instagram-worthy vacation every anniversary. Perhaps you hate traveling. Don't discount how valuable it is to just get away from the everyday home routine for a few short days. Plan an inexpensive weekend trip somewhere you can drive, which will be memorable in its own way.

  • 04 of 10

    Celebrate With Family and Friends

    Couple celebrating a wedding anniversary
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    Anniversaries can be very personal for some couples, but sometimes it takes a village to support a couple and growing family. For couples that are really connected with their families and friends, try to include them in the process too. Earmark some time for just the two of you, but then let the people close to you know you'd love to celebrate together. 

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  • 05 of 10

    Create an Anniversary Scavenger Hunt With the Family

    Kids involved in a wedding anniversary
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    This family-friendly way to celebrate an anniversary is perfect for a young couple with small children. A night away with a sitter watching the kids might be ideal, but perhaps the following day you can include your children in a scavenger hunt all about your relationship. Create a map and take them to your first date, where you got engaged, etc. Showing your children how you value your relationship will be an invaluable life lesson. 

  • 06 of 10

    Revisit Your First Date

    Couple elebrating an anniversary in a romantic setting
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    This idea is perfect for couples that have lost sight of what brought them together in the first place. Take a trip down memory lane to your first official date. What did you guys do? If the place is no longer open or you have moved away, do something as similar as possible. Try to remember what you guys talked about and remember what made you fall in love with each other in the first place.

  • 07 of 10

    Do an Adrenaline Inducing Activity Together

    Couple on an adventure wearing helmets
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    If your relationship is feeling a little stale, nothing will reignite the bond quite like doing something that will get your adrenaline pumping. This could be as daring or laid back as you desire, so long as it's something you two have never done together before. Creating new experiences together is an important way to make an anniversary memorable. 

  • 08 of 10

    Enroll in a Class to Learn Something New

    Couple in a cooking class
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    If you can't quite see yourself rock climbing or doing something very adventurous with your partner, consider learning something new together instead. Take a class that is out of your comfort zone. Perhaps you build furniture together or cook together. Paying for the class will solidify the time meant to be spent together learning something new. 

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  • 09 of 10

    Recreate an Old Photo of When You First Started Dating

    Couple in a horse drawn carriage
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    A lot of siblings have been recreating childhood photos on the internet, and some of the results are pretty hilarious. This take on that idea is meant to be less humorous and more romantic. Photographs can be extremely intimate, and some early relationship photographs are sure to have some spark that may have dimmed a little. Snuggle, get close and try to recreate that moment from when you were newly dating. If you don't have many photographs from that time, make a new one. If you hate photographs, consider writing each other love letters instead. 

  • 10 of 10

    Do Absolutely Nothing Together

    Couple reading together
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    This idea might seem silly, but sometimes couples need a chance to unplug from the outside world and spend some time together. Turn off your phones and computers and just spend an entire morning and afternoon playing games, watching movies, cooking, etc. Keep it light; the more laughter, the better.