When you are celebrating your anniversary, it is easy to slip into the ‘traditional’ gift-giving routine. You receive a card from the kitchen thanking you for everything you have done and you receive an electronic gift from your boss for your great work. It is easy to think of a set of money and a DVD set as well.

Before you rush off to buy these anniversary gifts, however, you should consider what you really want and how long you have been married. Is that really the anniversary gift you would like to receive? You need to think about it and then plan out a list of those you want or need. As an example, here are some ideas for anniversary gifts that you might consider.

Giving your spouse, a retirement home is a great way to show your gratitude for all the years you have shared together. You can purchase a set of travel rugs in a color of their choice, a combination book or magazine, or gift certificates to their favorite restaurant or spa. While there is nothing wrong with giving more than one type of gift, the idea is to give a thoughtful gift. You could go for the spa and restaurant. Or perhaps you would like to send a big box of fruit to get them going on their new, healthy eating!

Are you looking for an anniversary gift for your children? Perhaps you would like to see them take an educational class? Perhaps you would like to teach your children about music or sports? The possibilities are limitless!

If you do not want to give money, then you might want to consider taking a photo album to your anniversaries. This may be expensive, but it is sure to make a thoughtful and lasting impression. Another idea is to take your grandchildren to a sports game, learn about a specific hobby, or attend a musical performance. When you give your grandchildren this type of anniversary gift, you are not only showing your love for them, but also letting them know that you care about them. As time goes by, this can help build your relationship and intimacy. This is especially true when you become grandparents and you can be more involved in their lives.

Some anniversary gifts come from outside the traditional gift giving. For example, it would be fun to take your wife or husband to a movie that you both love. There are a lot of movies that are not as popular, but they are truly worth seeing. So if you have an anniversary coming up, why not schedule a movie night?

It is a good idea to consider your own taste, and if you feel you cannot choose an anniversary gift, then take that into consideration as well. If you are after something more classic, perhaps you could consider a leather tote bag. You can also choose a wedding dress for the anniversary. If you find you are a bit more casual in your gift giving, you might consider clothing or accessories that reflect your style.