Recently, a co-worker was asking for ideas to plan a very special 20th anniversary for his wife. They are rebuilding their marriage and are in recovery after a period of his infidelity. He truly is remorseful and sorry for what he's done.

As such, he'd like to go beyond the usual flowers, gift and/or card and do something out of the ordinary to show his commitment to the marriage.

Since none of us had any creative, exciting ideas to offer (other than a vacation or weekend getaway), I thought I'd ask here, since many people here may have gone through a similar situation.

Any and all ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

How about a Vermont Teddy Bear?? They are sooo cute. My hubby got me a bear in silk boxers with hearts on them. The bear was carrying a bear sized bouquet of red rose,a heart pillow...bear size of course,LOL. A box of chocolates were the piece de resistance. Go to vermontteddybear.com
this works well for any kind of occassion OR no occassion...they are the best kind of surprises. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

Hi! Thanks for your great suggestion of a Vermont Teddy Bear!! That would make me absolutely melt....it sounds adorable!! I'll be sure to pass the information along to him! Thanks again!

DJ

My husband created what I think is the best gift I have ever received. He burned a CD of himself reciting poetry, singing silly songs, sharing his feelings for me, sharing his hopes and dreams. This is not a difficult thing to do if you have a computer with a CD burner. Whenever I feel down, I pop the CD into my discman and listen...it is my most treasured gift as this took a lot of effort for my husband as he does not share himself easily.

Aloha, what a beautiful and thoughtful gift that must have been! Thank you for sharing the idea; I'll pass it along!

DJ

Since they are recovering from broken marriage vowels how about having a surprise private ceremony to renew their vows. You would have to work out the details but it sounds like a good idea to me.

I got it from this book called "Romancing Your Husband" The author did this for her husband once.

I agree with lj, after 20 years this woman deserves more than a card, flowers, or a teddy bear. If he has the financial means, he should do a small suprise party (just close family and friends), have a minister (priest, reverend, what ever) there, and when the moment is just right take his wife aside give her a heart-felt reproposal, if she says yes the minister is there to conduct the ceremony, if she is not ready have the minister (or what ever) give them a blessing and continue with the party. Just my 2 cents.

I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I agree with any of these.
First let me say, today is my first post. I found out the love of my life was having an affair almost a year ago. Five months before our 20th anniversary.
So, with the experience that I have felt, I must ask how long has the marriage been in recovery? If it hasn't been at least a year some of these gifts my be WAY to much.
I'd die a thousand deaths if my husband gave me a surprise anniversary party. To me that's a celebration for "true love". (and right now love has slaped her in the face.) The true love she had has been violated.
I'm just not sure how she would feel.
As far as the vows go, the first ones I did were very sacred to me. (and to him,at the time.) Will she completely believe this time that he really loves her?
If I were the husband I would go very easy and low key. Simple. Maybe just a trip away, by themselves.

Sigh...
I'm sorry for my two cents worth. But, the CD moved me to tears, and the renewing the vows brought anger. My point is, you must know were this woman stands on her feelings. How well do you know her?

Janet
From Texas

My thought is a trip away just the two of them. Escape from reality, escape from feeling like a liar at a party. That would be what I would want, a long weekend away somewhere nice to relax and reconnect.

I think a hot air balloon ride would be memorable. I names a star after my husband for one of our anniversaries. There is a place online, star wishing I think, where you pay so much and an actual star is named however you want it names. You receive a packege with a certificate, location, and a whole bunch of other stuff about the star.

He could also dress up in a costume (I did a pink gorilla for valentine's day), learn a song that would apply to their marriage and sing it to his wife in a costume.

There are numerous hotels now days that offer their sweet heart, or love package night stay. He could opt for something like that. Maybe in a city in a room with a nice view or if she prefers the country, in a nice bed and breakfast.

Personally, I love roses and my husband showers me with those because he knows I enjoy them.

Gifts don't have to expenisive to be meaningful. As long as it comes from the heart and plenty of thought is put into it.

Hope this helps!!

If you want more ideas I got plenty more <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Our anniversary is in October and I am planning to put together a book entitled "10 things I love about you". I'm going to pick 10 things and write an essay on each on fancy paper then put it together in binder or folder with decorations. Our recovery is going nicely and I hope I'm not thinking too far ahead.