Great ideas, everyone! Pbrisjar, they wanted to have a BBQ at home too. Now they think it is at their daughter's house. She thinks they will freak out at the cost and they do not intend to tell them. She is letting them think that until a couple days before. They are not fancy, have buried both sets of parents and have more than they need. She's always trying to give stuff away (nieces, nephews, kids, etc.) She is my mother's daughter - "everything should be put to good use." They have a modest home in Mexico and modest home here. When they aren't in Mexico or here, they live on a boat in Canada. They would think flowers were a big waste of money. LOL! A cake may be nice because we all could enjoy but I'm hesitant to ask the restaurant to serve the cake. It's the kids' party and I don't want to seem like I'm taking over, YKWIM? If it was going to be at someone's house, I'd do a cake in a heartbeat. Great idea. As for this couple, they still drive the Toyota they bought (used) when the kids were young (it's immaculate). You could say they live life to the fullest, between their camper and boat, and two *very* modest homes. My sister cuts her hair every three months, so when she cuts it, she cuts it very, very short. :+" My sister thinks my house is fancy and it's always a work in progress. LOL!

Well, it's 'paper' for that one. Don't know how 'unique' this would be, but how about a gift certificate to a really nice country inn or B & B? If it was in the budget, you could even toss in some tickets for an attraction and maybe a restaurant GC so they could enjoy a whole weekend. Usually very appreciated. If it would be meaningful to them, perhaps a family Bible? Membership to a museum or zoo? or a subscription to the local theater? Season tickets to their favorite team?

Absolutely beautiful! And so unusual and appropriate. You do have some Japanese in there, Carole. The last two "letters" in the right-most line are "na" and "ru," which turn the previous two kanji characters (which mean happiness) into an adjective to modify the characters for marriage in the next line over. Japanese and Chinese share a lot of characters, but the "na" and "ru" are definitely only Japanese. In fact, the only part of the writing that might not be taken for Japanese is the first character in the right line, which, as you probably already know, means "celebrate." It would normally come in a different place and have one or two Japanese letters, such as a verb ending, with it. Still, it is perfectly understandable to a Japanese. What a wonderful gift you made!

You could plan a trip - even if only 50 miles away - to a wine store he hasn't been to. You could certainly have other activities like lunch or a hotel or whatever. But the new wine shop would be the hallmark. You could get a bottle of wine that makes you think of a certain time or place, like where you met or were married. You could take the description of a particular wine and use that to describe your marriage. Compare the tannins in the wine to what seemed like a hard time in your marriage, but a point that really shaped who you are as a couple and has made you stronger, etc., - OK, he'd have to enjoy wine description and have a certain poetic sence to enjoy that one, I must admit, but it could be fantastic.