Need ideas for 1st wedding anniversary

When my brothers were stationed over seas, they really enjoyed a book we put together of the changes in town, so they wouldn't be surprised that a certain store was no longer there. We added pictures of their favorite places to visit. This way they didn't feel like the city had forgotten them. One other thing that was appreciated was homemade cookies. You might send them with the items of paper that you decide to send. I know they were really appreciated and the only special treats they received were from me. I sent each of my brothers stationary one year, so they would have paper to send notes to people. One brother received stationary with a picture of the ship he was stationed on and the other a picture of the place where he was stationed at the time.

It is a little late to do what I did. I kept a journal for a year. I tried to write in it every day. If I had I probably would have needed more than the one book! On the right hand page I wrote what we did together that day, how I felt about him and our day. On the left hand pages I put love quotes from poems, songs and the bible. I think I put a couple of pictures in too. The first anniversary is definitely paper and with your husband being away paper is the most appropriate gift. Certainly you can come up with some kind of memory book with pictures and stuff. Another one I did, which I have mentioned on here before so bear with me if you have heard it before, is I cut out words from magazines that described him. Words like cute, dancing, golf, smile, last-minute-man, comforting, sexy, etc. I pasted a picture of him in the middle of a sheet of 8.5x11 paper. I cut it down a bit so it wouldn't take up so much room. Then I pasted the words on the paper on different angles all around the picture. I put it in a picture frame. (Remember that a picture frame is actually 8x10 not 8.5x11 so you might want to cut the paper down before you start gluing.) My husband loved it (and he is neither sentimental or romantic) and it sits on our headboard to this day. I would be over the moon if he did this for me, but I know he never would. If he did it would be a project he would get the kids to do for him! LOL! You can also put together a picture calendar. We did this for my parents for Christmas one year. We made up the calendar putting all the birthdates and anniversaries in place. On the top part of the calendar I put the pictures of people corresponding to that month. I tried to then and now pictures but space was limited when there were several people in one month to cover. I know you said you have a ton of books, but there are daily inspirational books for couples that might be nice as an anniversary gift. Especially since he will be away, he can read a little inspirational love message every day. Good luck and Happy 1st Anniversary to you both!

first anniversary.....Congrats!! you're right, the first is paper....maybe something like a photo album for all the pictures of him in the Marine Corps of things he does and places he sees. how about a little album he can take with him? my ex was a marine and we were married when he went in, just thought this would be a little bit of good advice....dont send any "sexy" pictures with him or to him while he's there, everyone will see them and you'll be demeaned and he'll be embarassed to no end. Good Luck, Happy Anniversary and Semper Fi!!

I have the same problem. Our anniversary is 11/4 and I have no idea what to get him. I am so sorry you and yours won't be together on your actual special day! Are you in to scrapbooking or journaling? You could even start writing in journal now, just jotting down favorite memories of you 1st year as husband and wife. This is great, especially if you're not into full on scrapbooking. You can put a few pics here and there. I am sure he would treasure something like that!

a sailors watch,a pair of white nike shoes with soft bottom or a armani perfume!

I think the scrapbook idea is awesome. Another idea along the same lines although it might take some time is a calendar book with something personal written on everyday. A memory, a funny thought, a compliment, something sexy or a picture now and then that way while he is away he would have something to look forward to everyday (if he doesn't peek ahead)!

a scrapbook from pictures of your first year together? that way he could keep it with him while he's gone with the Marines.

Making a memory book is a terrific idea. They have smaller ones now too so that he can take it with him.