Anniversary

[Lilith]

I'm at a loss. In a couple of weeks Mr. Lil and I will be celebratinhg our 20th anniversary. I am completely unprepared as usual. I don't know what sort of gift sums up 20 years of thank yous, fuck yous, and love yous. The man wants for nothing so there is nothing he *needs* me to give him and frankly I'm looking for something more symbolic.

Any suggestions?

[Cheyanne]

I have often wished they had jewelry for men like they do for women representing the 'past, present, future' type thing.

Perhaps something that would be for the both of you? A special weekend trip that would include representations of your life together? Starting with the dating, serious lust, living together, marriage, first house, and ending with time including the kids? Kinda like "This is Our Life"? May take more planning than what time you have, but may give you both something to reminisce about.

Plant a tree and place a 2 seat bench nearby so when you 2 need to just get away to sit, talk, whatever you have a place?

Or, get together and plant a time capsule to dig up when you have your 40th? :D

[Lilith]

Great ideas Chey. I like the tree idea.

We are going on a trip. I just want to do something else too just for him.

[scotzoidman]

I just want to do something else too just for him.
Lacks in symbolism, but a big ole sloppy BJ would surely not be unappreciated...

[IowaMan]

Well Lil, I don't know him so sorry if what I'll ask are things that most Pixies would aleady know.

Is he a sports fan? What's his major interest in life, other than you and the kids? Believe me, I'll come up with something. What's his passion?

[IowaMan]

Lil, if he's into music I'm thinking you get a whole bunch of CD's from the time when you first started dating.

Maybe try to recreate your first date.

[LixyChick]

China is the traditional gift for the twentieth...OK, that sucks!

Platinum is the modern gift for the twentieth...Oh, that's a bit better. Does he wear jewelry? A platinum chain perhaps? A pinky ring? That's if your present collection isn't all gold or that might be gawdy, huh?

Hmmmm...this deserves more thought! But if you didn't know and wanted symbolic, something platinum would be appropriate.

[dicksbro]

How about renting a neat hotel room for the night ... maybe a suite. Or, if there are some in your area, a theme room at a fantasy hotel (we've tried an ancient Egyptian room; Cinderella's room; an Oriental room; an ancient Roman villa; and, a Space Capsule). A nice chilled bottle of wine; some lotion for mutual massages; and some sexy lingerie no doubt will make for a night he'll long remember.

Whatever you do ... have a great time ... and, an early wish for a very happy anniversary.

[Lilith]

Mr. Lil is not a passionate person. He says that is the trait he loves most about me. He does not wear jewelry but I love the platinum idea.

He will definitely get sex. The royal treatment.

[wyndhy]

i know it sounds lame, but my hubby always seems to appreciate the card more than any gift. i get the ones that are blank, or nearly blank, inside and try to tell him how i feel. this year all it said was happy anniversary to my lover and best friend, this year, last year, and many more. :shrug: lame, i know, but he loved it anyway cause it's from the heart.

there was also a time i sent him flowers at work. his coworkers made fun, but i'd never sent him flowers before ... actually, no-one had ... and he was really touched. plus, if you look for it, you can find the feelings and thoughts that certain flowers represent. it's not exactly scientific, but through poetry and tradition, certain flowers have come to represent certain feelings. put together a bouquet that expresses all you want to, along with a little explanation of what the flowers you chose have come to mean.

with that and the card, he'll know it's from the heart. you want to tell him something, not just give him somehting. i think this would be a good way to do that.

or going along the lines of chey's bench idea ... if you want to give him someplace to go when he needs to get away a bit, how about a hammock? even a two person hammock incase he wants to share?;) if you have a place to hang it that is .... or don't already have one.

i love your tree and bench idea chey! how sweet that would be to sit on in one’s dotage and reminisce.

[wyndhy]

http://www.santacruzpl.org/readyref/files/d-f/flowsym.shtml

http://www.weddingbokay.com/symbol.html

i googled flower symbolism and these were some links that popped up.

and this one for a book about it that sounds fascinating. http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=9780486429786

[PantyFanatic]

Do they make a cat-of-twenty-tails? :shrug:

[osuche]

How about putting together a video or picture montage in electronic format of your lives together, before each other, the kids, etc. Something that will endure for all time - translate a lot of those old photos into something digital. Have the kids help you video tape a message. Plug it all together to the sounds of music you guys love.

[osuche]

Or...you could get some sexy boudoir pics of you....taken professionally...for his enjoyment. ;)

[PantyFanatic]

*grabs his airplane ticket, camera and alligator repellant* :teleport:

[ReaperWoman]

I think what wyndhy said is how I'd approach it. I'm one that's always preferred the card and the sentiment more than the present. Bought stuff is nice, but if you make something by hand it means far more to me.

Going with Osuche... How about some sort of photo? Either something taken professionally of you and the family, all framed up (or take him too) or some sort of collage of photos that covers your time together. Something that says "Look what we've achieved in 20 years".


And I love the tree and bench idea too - sweet!

[Aqua]

I've had flowers sent to me at work before... I thought it was awesome. :)



If he doesn't do jewelry, maybe you could get him a platinum butt plug? :p

[maddy]

I think the idea of representing the 20 with things... small things... but in groups of 20 to show the significance of the number is neat... maybe a jar/container with 20 notes to him with 20 pieces of candy with 20 coins with 20 pebbles with 20... you get the idea....

[Lilith]

I like that idea too maddy. Great ideas lovies!

[GreenChef]

I find words are the touching part of the gift too. Something well written will go deeper than a gift (well some gifts have a deep message too, the tree and bench thing sounds neat, but I'm a plant nut)
Take your time, don't stress. You'll find the perfect gift...

[WildIrish]

With china designated as the traditional gift for 20th Anniversaries, how about purchasing two settings of a new china that you can deem "Anniversary China"? You can use them for dinner that day, and on each anniversary going forward. An idea for this year can be to incorporate a Chinese theme to the celebration. Have Chinese food on your new china! You could even put a day lily in each cup, as day lilies are the 20th Anniversary flower!

If you want to be more progressive, you could incorporate platinum into the mix by getting Mr. Lil a platinum edition record of his favorite band? But whatever you do...do not incorporate the wrong kind of platinum (http://www.pixies-place.com:81/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=61718). After all, it is your anniversary. :p

Spend some time going through your wedding album. So many memories flood back with each picture.

Was there a particular newspaper Mr. Lil used to read at the time? If so, you could order a copy of that day's paper.

Perhaps a copy of the 20th Anniversary Edition of Dirty Dancing? :p

At the end of the day, it's not about the price or any “thing” for that matter. The important thing here is that you are celebrating your 20th years together. Not everybody is able to love for such a long time. Congratulations hon.

[Lilith]

I think that would be the best platinum gift ever. Mayhaps you could suggest it to Mr. Lil for me :D

ha ha I watched Dirty Dancing while he was at boot camp.

Currently, I am considering a symbollic tattoo.

[WildIrish]

Currently, I am considering a symbollic tattoo.


How about a sheep with a shamrock? :D

[Lilith]

Like he'd never know where I got that idea :D

[WildIrish]

Like he'd never know where I got that idea :D

I guess that one's a little TOO symbollic, huh? :D

[maddy]

a symbollic tatoo is an uber cool idea. I'm actually currently contemplating one myself... well not symbolic for a 20 year anniversary ... but a tatoo.

[ReaperWoman]

That's a great idea Lil!

Oh and because I rather stupidly forgot to say earlier....


:nana:CONGRATULATIONS!:nana:

[Lilith]

Thanks! I went to the tattoo shop today and left them scads of pics for an idea I have. I go back Monday to see what he's worked up.

[osuche]

(((Lil)))) - what a great idea

[Wicked Wanda]

Darling Lilith, I have nothing new to add to all the lovely ideas already posted.
I am just very happy for you, and envious of both of you.

Happy Twentieth Anniversary!


Linda

[Lilith]

Thanks lovies. Part of the reason I'm happily married is having found Pixies and having an outlet for all the extra sexual tension :D

I am hoping to take a sexy pic once the tat is in place for him to have to commemorate the day.

[Lilith]

I did it! OMG Now what if he doesn't like it????????

[IowaMan]

I doubt you have to worry about that Lil. He loves you, he'll love your new artwork too. :nod:

[osuche]

I am sure he will love it, and be flattered by the thought and effort you put into the gesture.

(((((Lil)))))

[WildIrish]

He'll love it...really, really.

But please remember to avoid sunlight for a couple of weeks. I understand how difficult that is to do in The Sunshine State, so I will graciously offer refuge up North. For the good of your marriage, of course.

I know...I'm a hell of a guy.




And by that I mean "I'm a guy who's definately going to hell for trying to woo you up here using your 20th Anniversary present to your husband." :roflmao:

[maddy]

Make sure to follow the aftercare instructions... I used that baby diaper rash stuff (I forget the name of it, but I swear it's in a metal goldish/yellowish/brown tube) to keep it moist and protected until the scab fell off.

I'm anxious to see pictures!

[Lilith]

Mr. lil loved it! He was so surprised, he did not believe it was real. He told me he was sure it was a decal.

I'm putting up a quick pic. But I'm taking it down later.

L@@k Quick!!




too late :p

[Aqua]

That's awesome Lil! Good job! :x:

[Lilith]

Thank you.

[IowaMan]

Looks great Lil! :thumb:

[Scarecrow]

I like the new artwork and what a neat idea for the anniversary.

[maddy]

nice!

[osuche]

It's beautiful and the detail is amazing

[Lilith]

The guy did a beautiful job. I am tryuly amazed. Thanks for all the encouraging support.

I told him about 2 other special meaning ones I want and he seemed excited at the prospect of doing one to represent a love affair I've been having for the past 5 years. I'll go back in Novemeber to have a whip tattoo;)

[sodaklostsoul]

Very nice!!!!!!! Congrats!!!!!!!

[LixyChick]

That's beautiful Lil! WOW!

[wyndhy]

i'm so glad i got a peek before the picture kapoofed! nice tat you brave, sweet girl. cheers for twenty years. x's n oh's, mr and mrs lil.

[Lilith]

Thanks wyndhy! Last night he practically slept with the lights on studying it. He and I are both in shock that I actually followed through. I told him that part of the present was in NOT having to deal with me being a nervous basket-case beforehand. :D

[wyndhy]

was it bad? ... did you cry?
:D

[Lilith]

Yes it hurt. The parts closest to my armpit were my least favorite. I didn't cry but there was one time (it took over an hour and a half of solid work) where I noticed I was holding my breath a little and when I exhaled I felt a tear roll down.

[Lilith]

I cried when Mr. Lil saw it.

[wyndhy]

[as sappy as i can] awwwwwwwwwwwwww.[/as sappy as i can]
:D

when i saw where part of it was, i knew it had to hurt.

[Aqua]

I'll go back in November to have a whip tattoo;)
:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

[WildIrish]

I'm so happy it worked out the way it did, Lil.

And so jealous that Mr. Lil got to touch it! :D

[Oldfart]

Dammit, I missed it.

I'll have to ask for a peek at PAGAN08.