Do men like to receive anniversary gifts? Of course we do. Sure, you might think that men aren’t all that interested in the present, whether it’s on the give or take end. (Okay, and most of us don’t have a reputation for being the best buyers anyway.) But if you take the time to select and give a truly thoughtful anniversary gift for any man, he will appreciate it. I promise.
A common misconception about anniversary gifts is that they must be obviously romantic. If you Google the words “anniversary gifts for men,” you’ll see hundreds of results for engraved picture frames and jewelry, and journals that you fill in with “reasons why I love you.” All these things are good, but they are not really necessary. Because any gesture you complete that truly takes her likes and interests into account is inherently romantic. For example, if he’s always been fascinated by airplanes, buy him a flying lesson. If he’s the biggest 49ers fan, buy him 2 tickets to a game. You get significant romantic bonus points for going with him and cheering him on at the top of your lungs (despite the fact that you honestly don’t care about football). Take a genuine interest in your guy’s hobbies and loves. This is what makes a gift thoughtful and romantic.
When shopping for gifts for men, not just for anniversaries but also for Christmas, birthdays, and other events like graduations, it’s easy to feel like cost is a big hurdle. After all, the two examples I gave above would probably be a bit expensive. If you don’t want to strain your wallet, don’t worry. There are many things you can do that cost little or no money. Homemade gifts are always a great option, with homemade cookies or candy at the top of that list. On the M&Ms website, you can order personalized M&Ms with a simple message written on them. Or treat him to a nice home cooked meal. We all know that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, after all. You may also consider using an easy and inexpensive photo website to upload photos and make a custom printed photo album. Consider creating a scrapbook of one of your favorite events or proudest moments in life, your family, a favorite vacation together, or your pets.
For a guy who already seems to have it all, consider giving him an upgrade on one of his normal everyday essentials. Maybe he could ditch the old dopp gear or the duffel bag he’s had since college and replace it with a nice leather one? Or how about a nice pair of headphones that he can wear when he’s running on the treadmill? Many men are also hesitant to buy personal care products like moisturizing shaving cream or aftershave lotion. But when any of these items are presented to you as a gift, it’s likely to be something you use and enjoy every day.