6 Surprise Ideas for Your Parents Anniversary

Our parents have supported us through childhood and continue to be our teachers throughout life. They have guided and inspired us to be the best we can be, giving a helping hand and a listening ear in difficult times.

In order to show our parents how much we respect and love them, we should honour their wedding anniversary with surprise gifts that show our gratitude and appreciation.

Traditional gift

Surprise your parents with a gift that links with the traditional wedding anniversary gift list.  This is a list of materials that represent each year of marriage from paper for the first anniversary to oak for the 80th anniversary.

The gifts list is a guide, so you can mix and match gives for each parent, with brass gifts for her on their 21st anniversary, matched with a set of cufflinks made from the beautiful blue iolite gemstone which is also associated with the 21st anniversary. Research the flowers, colours and gemstones for each year to help focus your gift surprise ideas.

A family party with surprise guests

For a milestone anniversary, such as your parents’ 25th wedding anniversary, a celebration party with family and friends is expected. However, you can add a surprise element by searching for members of the original bridal party or groomsmen with whom your parents have lost contact but would love to renew acquaintance.

Arrange travel and accommodation so that they can attend the party, perhaps surprising your parents a day or two ahead of the event so they can catch up before the big party itself.

A romantic vacation

At a time when your parents have helped you significantly, or because they have had a tough year, consider sending them on a romantic holiday in some exotic location. You could choose their original honeymoon destination, their dream holiday site or somewhere that you know they would love to return to.

This is a great joint gift from you and your siblings but also add in a physical gift that will be a memento of their anniversary that they can appreciate at home.

A romantic dinner for two

Our parents work hard to create a comfortable home and to give support to the family. It may not be often that they are able to make time for themselves. Let them reminisce about their early courting days by booking a romantic dinner for two whilst you take care of their responsibilities at home.

This much-needed chance to relax and spend time together without discussions about work, finances or other concerns can be very special.

Book a table at their favourite restaurant or one that you know they would love to visit. There may be a famous chef they admire or an expensive place that they would love to try but would never be able to justify the cost.

A physical gift

Whilst there is a focus on experiences as gifts for a parents anniversary, it is important to consider a material gift that they can appreciate long after the day is past. There are so many unique gifts to choose from online.

You could have the soundwaves of their first dance wedding song made into a picture to display at home, or a rose picked at the peak of perfection and dipped in gold will be something they can treasure as a sign of the love and value their children have for them.

Photograph album

Capture all the best days of their anniversary in a photobook. Give access to all your siblings who can upload the best photographs of your parents over the past year. Add some text to the photos to remind them of the day and the occasion as well as the best memories you have of the last year with them.

Your parents may be surprised at some of your comments, not realizing the impact they may have had.

You could also arrange a couples’ photoshoot for your parents where they will be pampered and fussed over like celebrities. This is a surprising but also a fun gift that can surprise your parents as they see themselves as individuals again rather than the titles they have inherited.