No matter how many years you’ve been with your spouse, being able to celebrate those milestone anniversaries is important. But, if you’ve got a tight budget, it can require a bit of creativity to make your celebration something special.
During a pandemic? Well, things become a bit more complicated.
While the ideas surrounding anniversaries and even weddings and marriages have changed, celebrating your relationship is something you should be able to do no matter your financial situation or the state of the world.
So, what can you do to celebrate another year of your relationship if money is tight and you’re trying to stay safe and healthy?
Have a DIY Date Night
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to create an unforgettable date night. In fact, “DIY-ing” your anniversary date could end up becoming a yearly tradition for you. It takes some creativity, some romantic thought, and a little bit of planning ahead. But, doing so can actually make the evening more special, because you’re thinking about your relationship and what your partner wants, rather than going with the standard “night out”.
Stumped for ideas when it comes to a romantic DIY date on a budget? Think outside of the box and try things like:
- Camping
- Recreating your first date
- Making a playlist of special songs to your relationship and driving around listening to it
- Getting active with each other by going hiking, ice skating, or going for a bike ride
- Watching your wedding video at home
Remember, your anniversary is something to be celebrated and enjoyed by both you and your partner. If the financial aspect of things is causing you too much stress, take a breath and a step back. You might be more financially stressed if you lost your job due to COVID, or if you’ve had to make cutbacks at home throughout the pandemic. But, by making a budget and keeping track of your finances, you’ll have a better idea of the dates you can afford without being overly stressed about it.
Do Something Different While Staying Safe at Home
One of the easiest, most cost-effective, and safest ways to celebrate is at home. Again, this requires some creativity. But, that’s half the fun!
Think about your interests, as well as the interests of your partner. What would you be doing if money was no object and we weren’t in the midst of a pandemic? If you’ve got a travel bug, maybe you would jet-set off to Italy or France for a romantic vacation.
So, why not bring the vacation into your own home? Cook your favorite Italian meal, put on some authentic music and dance around your kitchen, and finish up the night by watching a romantic foreign film while curled up on the couch.
If you want to have some fun, consider trying subscription boxes with different games or activities you can do together. Do you and your partner love mystery movies and books? Try a box set that will give you all of the evidence and clues you need to solve a crime together.
Anything from cooking a meal together to going through your wedding photo album can help to create a special, and safe, celebration in your own home. In fact, putting the focus solely on your relationship and keeping things simple can actually help you appreciate the moment even more, and remember exactly why you fell in love, in the first place.
Host a Socially-Distanced Celebration
When people celebrate big milestone anniversaries, it’s not uncommon to throw a party. Unfortunately, with COVID still a major part of the picture, that might not be an option right now. Not to mention, putting on a big get-together can be pricey when you consider things like:
- Renting a space
- Catering
- Decorations
- Hiring a DJ
- Cost of invitations
So, some people are getting creative with their socially-distanced events. Everything from birthday parties to weddings have taken place on platforms like Zoom or other video conferencing programs. You can live stream a celebration, or simply connect with your friends and loved ones by doing a video chat and letting them wish you a happy anniversary.
This is another opportunity to get creative. If you’re not into having a “Zoom party,” talk to your loved ones about having a car parade outside your home and surprise your partner with it. Or, ask them to create personalized videos and send them to you, so you can watch them as a couple on your special day.
If you do want to plan a get-together, are ways to do it safely. Implement whatever rules you feel are necessary to keep everyone comfortable and healthy. That could include mask-wearing, pre-portioned food instead of a buffet, and tables set up that are several feet apart. While it might seem like a little extra work, there is nothing like celebrating in-person with the people you love.
Planning your celebration your own way should be your top priority. Think of it as an extension of your wedding day, no matter how long you’ve been together. If that means cutting back this year, you can still find ways to make your anniversary unforgettable.
