Your 25th wedding anniversary is a huge milestone indicating a deep and beautiful commitment. Show your spouse you still know how to spice things up with an amazing anniversary surprise.
A little quality time in an exciting location is a great way to reconnect without the pressures of everyday life. Consider a weekend escape to the beach or on a short cruise. For a longer trip without sacrificing the surprise, ask your spouse to take some time off work without letting him or her know what the time is for. This is a great time for that dream vacation you've been talking about or a trip down memory lane to where you first had your honeymoon.
Your anniversary celebration doesn't have to be a large dramatic event. If your lives have been a little too stressful lately, just carving out a whole day or weekend to just be together can be beautiful. If you have kids, get someone to watch them and relax at home with no pressures. Turn off the cell phones and the social media and spend the day cooking together or eating take-out, snuggling while you watch movies, and taking naps.
Renewing your vows is a romantic way to celebrate the love you share, not to mention a great way to get that party you always wanted but couldn't afford when you were just starting out. Try to keep the guest list small so you can throw a truly spectacular vow renewal ceremony without breaking the budget, even if you're in a much better financial position than when you got married. Just how far you want to go is up to you, from a quiet romantic affair to a rollicking loud party. Just try to think of the things your spouse wanted but may not have been able to afford on your wedding day.
Getting a little adrenaline flowing can make for an excellent anniversary celebration. Try for a surprise that's a little out of both of your comfort zones. The brain has a hard time telling the difference between arousal and adrenaline, so an adventurous day can lead to an amorous night. Anything from skydiving to riding the roller coasters all day at your favorite theme park can help you feel those butterflies in your stomachs.
Consider getting away from the everyday routine together with a romantic evening. For quiet romance at home, light some candles over a special home cooked dinner and scatter rose petals around the bed. For romance out of the house, consider grand gestures like a hot air balloon ride or a string quartet at dinner. An evening at a luxury hotel, even if it's not far from your home, can also lend a feel of excitement and romance.
Sometimes the best gift you can give your spouse is time. Pick an activity that you both love to celebrate your time together. Tickets to a sporting event, concert, or play are all great ways to start. You can think a little outside the box with more unusual activities, like pilot lessons, deep sea fishing, glass blowing, or tango lessons.
The 25th anniversary is traditionally paired with gifts of silver. Jewelry and watches are an obvious choice here, but less common gifts, like a real rose preserved in silver or a monogrammed cigar case can also be exciting for your spouse.
Whatever you do for your spouse for your 25th, make sure it's something that you will both love and remember for many more anniversaries to come.
A recent college graduate from University of San Francisco, Anica loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she's used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here.