First comes loves, then comes marriage, then before you know it, you’ve been married for a whole year!
According to the list of traditional wedding anniversary gifts, your first wedding anniversary calls for a paper themed gift to be exchanged.
Wait, what? Paper? That’s it? A whole twelve months as husband and wife and I have to express my love with a measly piece of paper?
Because paper is a simple, inexpensive, easy-to-come-by material, it can be difficult to come up with a thoughtful gift that your spouse will actually appreciate. But with a bit of creativity, thoughtfulness and thinking outside of the paper gift box, giving an exciting paper-themed anniversary gift is totally possible!
Here are some unique ideas for paper-themed gifts that still say “Happy One Year Anniversary” in all the right ways.
Tickets to the Theatre
Take your spouse for a night on the town with a trip to the theatre! Even if you book the tickets online, make sure you print them out on paper; that way you can stick to the first-anniversary theme.
Who wouldn’t want to be surprised with premium seats for London’s West End, the holy grail of world-class theatre? Before the show, enjoy some romantic pre-theatre dining at one of London’s hottest restaurants.
What makes this paper-themed anniversary gift such a great idea is that it’s a way for the two of you to get out of the house and do something together as a couple.
Get excited. Get dolled up. And get the babysitter round. Because Mom and Dad are painting the town red!
Professional Memory Book
While you have only been married for twelve months, I’m sure you have a lifetime of shared memories. From the day you first met, to that first awkward date, and now your first wedding anniversary. Each moment as memorable and meaningful as the next.
To really capture these milestones in your relationship, have your favourite memories transformed into a beautiful photo-illustrated memory book. Working one-on-one with professional writers and interviewers, your most meaningful experiences will be beautifully written in a way that captures your voice and your love.
It’s one of those unique wedding anniversary gifts that can even be handed down to your children, from one generation to the next.
Gift Card
When it comes to getting creative with a paper-themed anniversary gift, it doesn’t get much better than a gift card. Gift cards really let you spoil your beloved with something they’re most interested in. And the best part? It’s just a piece of paper, but it means a whole lot more!
Is your spouse a fervent foodie? Why not spoil them with restaurant gift cards for a fancy restaurant. Need a relaxing day to unwind? Indulge them in a day of heavenly pampering, including a couple’s massage you can both enjoy together.
Not sure what they want? There’s no shame in gifting them with a monetary gift card. This way the pressure of getting it wrong is off you, and they can get something they really, really want!
If you do want to make it more personal, have a look at our gifts for him and gifts for her for more wedding anniversary gift ideas. There’s no limit to the amount of happiness a gift card can buy.
Mail Rail Ride at the Postal Museum
Looking for really unique date ideas in London for your paper anniversary? What better way to celebrate than with a day out at the ultimate paper destination – London’s Postal Museum! The increasingly popular museum features a whole host of activities, from interactive galleries to an immersive subterranean rail ride on London’s secret underground 100-year old postal railway. It even features a collection of love letters, written by countless lovers divided by war.
To add an extra touch of romance to the day, follow your journey through time with a divine Michelin-star meal at one of the most sought-out restaurants in town, Galvin La Chapelle.
Love, letters and lunch. Lovely!
Customized Wedding Dress Sketch
Just a year ago you shared the most special day of your lives – your wedding day. Remember how incredible the two of you looked, side of side? Remember that wedding dress she wore, the dress she’d been dreaming of since she was a little girl?
As a reminder of how breathtakingly beautiful she looked, surprise her with a customized handmade sketch of her wedding dress. Dreamlines mirrors your wedding attire in a detailed, whimsical fashion style sketch. This sentimental paper anniversary gift is perfect for hanging on your wall at home, a nostalgic token from the day that started the rest of your lives together.
Art-Focused Break With Private Van Gogh Museum Tour
To really spoil your beloved on your first wedding anniversary, whisk them away to Amsterdam for a cultural van Gogh-inspired getaway they’ll never forget.
How exactly does this tie in with paper? The van Gogh museum is home to the single largest collection of the Dutch master’s work. During his lifetime, van Gogh made almost 1300 works on a variety of paper types during the decade that he worked as an artist, including Old Vineyard with Peasant Woman.
If anything, it’s an excuse to stay in a leading 5-star hotel, enjoy the finest Michelin star cuisine and privately tour the world-famous Van Gogh Museum with your own personal art historian.
I said you have to get creative for wedding anniversaries right?
Bespoke Stationery Set
One of the best first wedding anniversary gifts that really stick to the paper theme is a bespoke stationery set. The joy of having Mr. and Mrs. followed by your shared last name is something that doesn’t get old. And it’s something that you should have proudly printed on your own bespoke stationery set.
No-one does bespoke stationery like Barnard & Westwood. Founded nearly a century ago, the esteemed company was recognised with the grant of a Royal Warrant of Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen. What really sets them apart is their use of the time-honoured process of die-stamping, which you get to witness in a behind-the-scenes tour of Barnard & Westwood’s London workshop.
The best in the business, they’ve even printed the programmes for the Queen’s coronation anniversary service and the invitation cards for the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton.
If it’s good enough for Kate and Will, it’s good enough for you.
Paper Flower Masterclass
Every woman loves receiving a beautiful bouquet of flowers for her wedding anniversary. Unfortunately flowers are reserved for your fourth wedding anniversary. You’ve got three more years to go!
For something personal and paper-themed, delight your spouse with a bouquet of paper flowers you crafted yourself at a private paper floristry masterclass. Held at a location of your choice, it’s a fun-filled activity the two of you can do together as a couple on your special anniversary.
Once you’ve craftily made realistic, stunning paper flowers, you can take them home for some impressive home decor. They’ll last infinitely longer than a bouquet of roses!
