skip to main content

1st anniversary party ideas?

17 years ago

My 1st ann is coming up dec 3rd, so we want to have party saturday dec 2nd. I had thought on a chinese theme, it seemed classy and romantic, but husband not so keen, plus the cost of good chinese dishes at our fave restaraunt is vey costly.we also thought maybe just a clebration theme? I want something classy and romantic without ruing our money for christmas.

Just want to know what ideas you all have.

thanks

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

swampwitch
17 years ago
Isn't the first anniversary paper? You could have a paper theme, with paper lanterns, paper tablecloths, maybe origami... Paper's inexpensive and is appropriate.

You could do a dessert and coffee party, too, to keep costs down. Spend some money on a beautiful cake, have appetizer and dessert trays, with fresh fruit and lots of good coffee and tea.

Cheers, from
SwampWitch
gellchom
17 years ago
Can I suggest not mentioning your anniversary on the invitations, just inviting people to "a" party? It is a little awkward to be inviting people to a party to which they will feel they are expected to bring a gift, especially just one year after they bought you a wedding and maybe a shower gift. Anyone to whom you are close enough to invite to such a party will know that it is your first anniversary anway, but if you don't call it an anniversary party, there will not be any overtone of fishing for gifts. I know that's not what you are doing, but you might want to be careful not to create any such impression.
Related Discussions
What was the best anniversary party you went to?
Q
Comments (6)
I haven't been to any anniversary parties where they made a big deal about the anniversary, either. They just gave a terrific party, fancy or casual. No speeches or toasts, except maybe a welcome from the hosts and a short toast to each other. Definitely no wedding-ish cake, although I think a decorated cake that says something like "Cuthbert and Petunia / Ten happy years." My parents gave themselves a 40th anniversary party. We got hold of the guest list and wrote to the guests (and some other out of town close friends and relatives) and asked them to write out and send a favorite memory and perhaps a picture. We put them in an album and gave it to them at the party. We hadn't anticipated it, but many of the guests enjoyed looking through it. And my dad surprised my mom by announcing a gift to her favorite charity. Other than that, it was just a very nice party. So that's what I would do -- just give a great party and don't worry about the anniversary part. Don't mention it on the invitations, and then you don't have to worry about anyone mistakenly thinking you are trying to get gifts. At the party, you can have a champagne toast. Maybe have a few pictures of yourselves at your wedding incorporated into centerpieces, on the bar, etc. You can also have a white color scheme, and why not a corsage? I think that those touches would make it plenty anniversaryish. Any more would start being too much, in my opinion. Have fun! I wish you good weather, too.
...See More
please help us plan birthday/anniversary party
Q
Comments (6)
Just a follow up on the "no gifts please" issue, because it is something we all always agonize over, isn't it? It went as we predicted. Our very closest friends got me birthday gifts (in groups of 2 or 3). These are the people with whom we are so close that we give each other gifts for big occasions, party or no party, so we ignore "no gifts, please" if there is a party, because just as we aren't giving a gift because of the invitation, we aren't refraining from giving one because of the invitation, either. Our very, VERY closest friends also got us anniversary gifts (one from a group of three couples, one from one couple) -- same circumstance. Most people either brought a bottle of wine, amaretto, or champagne, a small birthday and/or anniversary gift (about like you would give for a hostess gifts -- candy, a funny little purse mirror, etc.), or nothing. Several (whether or not they could attend the party) made contributions to various charities. Another factor that may have made a difference was the gift my husband gave me -- the best ever. It is an album of stories and memories he asked people to send. Not only do I love it more than anything else he could have thought of, I like the idea that that would help people feel like their contribution to the album WAS a gift -- and they are right! Anyway, the bottom line is that I think that whether or not you put "no gifts, please" on an invitation doesn't make much difference; those who would anyway will anyway, and others might bring something small, but about the size they would probably bring as a hostess gift anyway. The real function is for the hosts to avoid feeling embarrassment about giving themselves a party for a gift-y occasion. So I guess in the future I will stick to no reference at all to gifts, EXCEPT where we are both hosts and also the guests of honor. I still feel, also, that people LIKE giving gifts to their friends. And I'll close with a funny story to that effect from this birthday: one day, about 11:30 am, a couple of weeks before the party, I called my friend G, on her cell phone, to see if she wanted to go to lunch. No answer, so I called A. No answer, so I called N. No answer - !!! "Why don't my friends take my calls," I thought, feeling very unpopular. So I called C, and she and I went to lunch. The next day, G called me, laughing. She said, "Sorry I didn't get back to you until today. I bet you wanted to go to lunch. I was out with A and N, shopping for your birthday present!" They had figured it out and wanted to share the laugh with me. (Good thing I had tried all three of them, eh?) They had fun shopping together, and I love the gift (it's a glass necklace) because it makes me think of them having a good time because of me.
...See More
Hosting large family holiday party for the 1st time...LONG
Q
Comments (23)
OK, I'll weigh in here, I've had Christmas Eve dinner for 40 for about 25 years in a row now, LOL. I agree with Chase, you'll need more lasagna. And, unless your family is much different than mine, you won't need two green salads, I always have salad left over no matter what kind I make, plus it's messy to try to eat leafy greens while standing. I'd go with the caesar, a fruit salad, cut out the pasta salad and have more lasagna. It's easier to make a lot of one thing, instead of a bunch of smaller things. The cookies can be made ahead and frozen, so can most cakes, just don't frost them. Breads can also be made and frozen, I've even frozen bread dough for up to 3 months and then thawed it and baked it, ditto cookie dough. The kids will go for the mac and cheese, the lasagna and those "pigs in a blanket" or chicken fingers type of dish. You could do an assortment of chicken wings or strips if you want to add chicken. The best advice I can give you is to make everything ahead that you can, even lasagna can be made ahead and frozen. Good luck, relax and have fun. And make sure everyone knows about that peanut allergy if they are providing food and that includes the catered portion. Annie
...See More
50th Anniversary Party Ideas......
Q
Comments (16)
I would post pics of the party we did for my folks (2+ years ago), but Sis is still looking for the CD the photos are on. *sigh* Also consider doing a PowerPoint (very easy to do!) on your computer and playing it on a laptop so that it shows on the wall. I had a lot of fun doing that for my folks. We did a spiked and a plain punch but nearly ran into trouble because the country club we rented fussed about the wine in the punch. Not sure if it was because we didn't buy their expensive stuff or if it was liquor laws. We also went to the "dollar stores" and to a party store---GOLD stuff was very cheap because it was right around Christmas---and we bought tons of little tabletop things (gold beads, gold buckets for peanuts and mints, gold coin looking chocolate candy, etc.). Bought gold candles and chargers very cheaply at WalMart and Dillards (of all places). Again...the holidays were our friend. :-) We bought big gold bows (very cheap) for the chairs my folks sat in. candle holders, etc. cheap plastic bells for the cake table misc. gold balls that we put in a glass bowl on one table gold candles - I think we took the "stuff" off of them a pretty gold votive candle holder thing we used on the punch table
...See More
carla35
17 years ago
I have to admit I've never been to a First Anniversary Party. Maybe it's a regional thing. Wouldn't you maybe prefer to spend the night alone or maybe use the money on a little weekend trip for yourselves instead? Or, you could just throw a nice holiday party for your friends if you are mainly just wanting to entertain. I find most people (around here anyway) barely celebrate their own anniversary. I doubt they really care about celebrating other people's, unless it's a big one like 25th or 50th, or some other unique circumstance.
lindac
17 years ago
Please tell me that you will be paying for all the food and drinks??...That does make it a bit better...
But generally one does not throw one'self an anniversary party of any sort...short of 25 years...and then it better be a good party and you better be treating for drinks, dinner and anything else.
Linda C
swampwitch
17 years ago
Gellchom, you are absolutely right, again! "Presence, not presents."

I don't feel anyone has to justify having a party. If we want to get together with friends, whether it's a special occasion or not, there's nothing wrong with that!

Cheers, from
SwampWitch
uspresidiot
Original Author
17 years ago
I should have mentioned this, but my wedding took place in Montana with just my family and friends. I live in San antonio Tx, so all of our friends here plus my in laws didnt come to a wedding, nor give us gfts. So I thought It would be a nice way for everyone here to celebrate it with us. Maybe watch the dvd of the wedding or something like that.

Noone who is coming to the ann party was at the wedding

thanks
swampwitch
17 years ago
Did your friends in San Antonio get invitations to the wedding in Montana? If so, then they would have already given a wedding gift (if they were going to).

If your Texas friends weren't invited to the wedding, then you might want to call this a reception of some type. Maybe someone here knows the etiquette for that situation, or you could post on a wedding forum.

I wouldn't expect gifts, though; I'd just throw the party to celebrate with friends.

Cheers, from
SwampWitch
uspresidiot
Original Author
17 years ago
I am def not doing this for the gifts. And no one here was invited, figured they couldnt make the trip up to mt.

I figured instead of having the reception for my friends last year i would wait until our 1st ann to celebrate it with them then. just figuring out a non tacky way.

any suggestion would be great!

thanks
gellchom
17 years ago
By the way, I love your nickname!

I think we have already suggested the way to do this in a "nontacky" way. You are not in it for the gifts, so make sure it doesn't come across that way simply by not mentioning your anniversary on the invitations. Although I mentioned that people may have bought you gifts last year, in a way the details you shared about the wedding almost make it seem MORE important that you not seem like you are fishing for gifts; you don't want them to think that the small wedding seemed romantic to you at the time, but now you are regretting not getting more gifts. I also think a year later is too late to call it a "reception," and that for sure would sound to me like a late bid for gifts.

At the party itself, of course, you can do whatever it is that would make it an anniversary party; show the video (if it's not too long; otherwise, maybe have it running on a loop someplace where people can go and see it if they are interested), have a special cake and live music and perhaps a special dance, give romantic anniversary toasts, wear a corsage or perhaps the dress you wore to the wedding (especially if it wasn't a wedding gown), special decorations, etc. And as the other posters pointed out, YOU TREAT for everything.

Your original question was about ideas for a classy and romantic party that won't break the bank. I like swampwitch's idea about desserts. You could have inexpensive champagne and coffee (which keeps down the liquor costs), a sheet cake, perhaps a chocolate fountain or fondue and some sweet trays without spending a fortune. If you want a full meal, brunch is usually cheaper than dinner, and if you did that on Sunday it would be on the anniversary itself. Consider reallocating the budget away from food and drink, too: a single live musician and a few fresh flowers on the tables can make an otherwise inexpensive party seem like a very, very special occasion.

How many people are you thinking of having? What is the weather likely to be like where you are?

Related Stories

BATHROOM DESIGN Room of the Day: A Bathroom Remodel to Celebrate a 50th Anniversary

By Jeannie Matteucci

A Northern California couple removes obstructions to create a soothing, spa-like master bath

HOLIDAYS 5 Anytime Parties to Rev Up Your House All Year

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Run with any of these themes for a fun party night at home, even with no official holidays in sight

MOST POPULAR Modern Party Etiquette for Hosts and Guests

By Laura Gaskill

Learn the mannerly way to handle invitations, gifts and even mishaps for a party that's memorable for the right reasons

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Spring Party Primer: 20 Ideas for Fabulous Fetes

By Laura Gaskill

Roll out the green carpet. On a lawn or in your living room, your spring party will be a hit with these tips and ideas

DECORATING GUIDES Entertaining Ideas: Creative Spring Party Planning

By Laura Gaskill

Fabric and favors and fun, oh my! These 8 ideas for parties at home will have you welcoming in spring among friends

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Find Your Summer Patio Party Style

By Laura Gaskill

Get your party on outdoors even with minimal effort and a small budget — we came up with the ideas so you have more time for fun

ENTERTAINING Houzz Call: Share Your Tips for a Laid-Back Summer Party

By Annie Thornton

Do you have advice for easygoing decor, food and prep? Share your summer entertaining ideas with the Houzz community

ENTERTAINING 10 Tips for a Magical Party on the Patio

By Laura Gaskill

Get a handle on outdoor entertaining with fun ideas for staying comfy, toting treats and lighting the night

BACKYARD IDEAS This Backyard Is Ready to Party

By Bryan Anthony

Colorful outdoor furniture, a custom pizza oven and a stainless steel hot tub make for a lively backyard in Menlo Park

HOLIDAYS Holiday Party Prep: Add Sneaky Seating

By Laura Gaskill

Worry no more about where guests will sit. These 10 seating options can hide in plain sight

Sponsored