Our First Anniversary... Is this a lame present?

[AKL_Megs]

I have about a month until our first anniversary. I want to get something special for DH.

I am stumped.

I thought about getting him this HUGE tent that he saw and loved at Costco. We were planning a camping trip this summer, and we do love camping. It just seems too practical.

We are also eventually turning part of our basement into a bar. It would be nice to make a personalized sign that says, "Hubby's Bar" (not really with "hubby" but with our last name... ), or an etched mirror with "Hubby's Bar" on it, but it WILL be sitting around for a long while, as the basement remodel is dead last on our list of things to do. And if he changes his mind on what he wants to do down there, the money will have been wasted.

Is the tent too general a gift?

 

[Minniemama350]

I have found that men do not view presents the same way women do. My dh would just as soon I give him a jack for his truck as try to find something meaningful. I would say, just make sure it is for him and not for "us." In other words, if he is the one who really wants a nice big tent, go for it. BUT if it is a "we" gift, maybe not.

 

[emma'smom]

I think a tent sounds perfect. Pair it with plans for a romantic camping trip and you are all set!

 

[Magic Mom]

If he was really excited about the tent, then get him the tent. If you want to make it more special, then pitch the tent in the living room, throw the sleeping bags in it and be waiting in the tent for him au naturel when he gets home from work.

 

[AKL_Megs]

If he was really excited about the tent, then get him the tent. If you want to make it more special, then pitch the tent in the living room, throw the sleeping bags in it and be waiting in the tent for him au naturel when he gets home from work.

Nice idea!

The tent is literally HUGE... it would have to be pitched in the basement! Or else I would need another guy to move our couch and chair!

 

[Magic Mom]

Nice idea!

The tent is literally HUGE... it would have to be pitched in the basement! Or else I would need another guy to move our couch and chair!

Bonus for you!!!

 

[englishteacha]

We usually buy "us" presents for our anniversaries or go on a trip. Our wedding gift to each other was a DVD player. Our 6th anniversary gift? Big TV. 4th anniversary? Disney World trip! So I think the tent, even if it's an "us" gift would be great if you love to camp! Maybe invest in one of the double high airbeds for more comfort, too. And I'm sure your hubby would love to try out the tent and other gear...

If you want something more personal, why not get a sign that doesn't specify "bar" but says, "The Smiths" or "The Smiths est. 2009" or something? Then you can hang it anywhere, or even take it to a campground with you to personalize your site!

 

[cristit14]

If he was really excited about the tent, then get him the tent. If you want to make it more special, then pitch the tent in the living room, throw the sleeping bags in it and be waiting in the tent for him au naturel when he gets home from work.

That's what I was going to suggest too.

 

[tiggerlover]

If it is too big to pitch in the house can you put it in the yard? Get out some warm blankets and make a picnic with some champagne, cheese, crackers and other little delacasies (sp?) and have a romantic evening camping in the yard.

 

[MnMomtoboys]

Get him the tent. Wrap both the tent and yourself and see which he wants to unwrap first. Use guest towels! (sorry I couldn't resist)

 

[RNMOM]

I think the tent says 'I want to spend time with you and this is the place to make many wonderful memories together.'. I bet he will love it.

 

[SandrA9810]

Tent.

I've learned practical gifts really are the way to go. Why give some one something to put on a shelf? I'd rather see it being used.

When the basement is finished, then you can think about getting something to personalize it... you're always going to have more anniversaries down the road, right?

 

[Buckeye Princess]

We love to camp and my husband would love a gift like a new tent. He appreciates sentimental gifts, but definitely loves his "practical" toys. haha If you want to get something that would also be a surprise and not something he picked out you could get another little camping gadget like hot dog forks, a mountain pie maker, etc. I often just go into Target or Dicks and look at all the little camping things and get whatever seems cool for basket/stocking stuffers/ add ons.

What type of camping do you do? I'm assuming not backpacking since it is a big tent. Do you go to campsites or do you go more to national park type places? Do you already have a lot of equipment?

 

[Minniemouse07]

Dh and I have been married close to ten years and have yet to give each other an anniversary gift!

Instead we each take the day off from work (if it is a workday) and spend the day together. Sometimes we will go on a long weekend, but other years it was as simple as going to the zoo together (before kids).

Now w/ our kids... they see our anniversary as our family's birthday...so we celebrate it together.

 

[trip]

The tent sounds like it is something that he will like and use. For the "paper" part of the first anniversary present you could get a map of an area you/he would want to travel to.

 

[EclecticWAHM]

I think the tent is a GREAT idea. If it was something he was excited about and you both enjoy camping, it's a terrific gift. I love practical gifts. I'd rather give something that would be used on a regular basis and something they'd really enjoy rather than something "sentimental" that may end up gathering dust on a shelf somewhere.

 

[dislaney]

I think the tent is a great idea.

 

[ZeitgeistDuck]

We walked by that same tent today in Costco and DH was like, "hey, for my birthday, that's a hell of a tent." So, I'm saying, tent. IMO men usually prefer the practical over the personalized.

I'd buy the tent and get a camp site somewhere not to far away for the night of your anniversary, you guys can go out there, pitch the tent, roast some marshmallows over the campfire and, er, inaugurate the new tent.

 

[trip]

The tent sounds like it is something that he will like and use. For the "paper" part of the first anniversary present you could get a map of an area you/he would want to travel to.

 

[Evi]

I love the idea of a tent for a guy. He will really appreciate it and you'll get many years of use out of it. I would pair the tent with a booklet or a packet you can make for the paper portion I think someone mentioned a map. I'd also include reservations with plans for things to do and something personal from you be it a letter etc. I'm sure your husband will love it. Congratulations on your anniversary.