I made a photo book for my mom when she was in her 80s and had Alzheimer’s and eventually went into a nursing home. The beauty of the bound photo book, as opposed to the photo album she had originally, is that no pics got lost and it was easier for her to handle and keep track of.
H and I just had our 40th and we celebrated with a large party (did a trip for our 25th). No gifts between us, but I do eventually hope to put together a book including the party pics.
On the jewelry question: the OP might want to consider working with a jewelry designer who can create a piece where his wife can have input into the design and the stones,etc. that way she can have exactly what she wants.
My H got me a new wedding ring when mine was destroyed (had a plain gold band that ER staff had to cut off after I had a bad reaction to a bee bite). H arranged for us to meet with the jewelry designer at the diamond district in NYC. We looked at stones and picked them out–later the designer sent me various design ideas until I found one I liked. We went out for lunch to a great place in the city after picking out the stones. It was a really fun experience.
We’ll be celebrating our 25th in a couple of weeks. We are going a different route. Rather than trying to figure out what to get each other, we decided to forego gifts and just have a nice experience together. So we will spend 24 hours in San Francisco, eating at a top restaurant and staying at a fancy hotel, then attending the theater. Looking forward to the luxury of it!
Happy 25th and Congrats on a long marriage. Husband got me a bouquet of flowers, one for each year of my favorite flower, peony. It was expensive but he paid by cash so I never saw the receipt. I booked for a nice vacation and gave myself permission to buy nice jewelry that I like. I don’t think my husband has a clue what to buy and sometime I buy them online. My weakness is Tahitian pearls or green emerald. Not diamond.
We went to Paris for a couple of days. I said no gifts, but then Mr. bought me the Costco ring - he said planning a trip to Paris on a 2-week notice was my gift to him.
We will soon be celebrating our 30th. It has become our custom to spend a few days on the beach in Naples. Rather than buy a gift for one another, we give a gift to charity -this year to the church where we were married.
For our 25th, DH and I took our rings to the jeweler. Mine engagement ring had worn prongs that were catching on clothes, and we thought it wise to fix it before losing the stone. His wedding ring had been cut off when hands swelled due to a medictation. We were tickled about the refurb. He had offered to buy me a new ring, but I said No - the original is dear to my heart.
Then DH surprised me with lovely pearl / loop earrings that he bought when he was picking up the rings.
