Most people get a little stressed while thinking about ideas for a 1 year anniversary of dating. However, this shouldn’t be a stressful time for you at all. Your first anniversary with the person you love should be all about reminding each other why you chose to be together and have fun doing something that will bring you closer together.
Whether you’re looking to do something that will feel familiar or out for a new adventure, there are plenty of 1 year anniversary ideas to choose from. If you have no idea where to start and are looking for inspiration, you need not look further.
We’ve done the work for you and put together a great list of ideas for a 1 year anniversary of dating that will suit you and the one you love.
Have a look 🙂
Outdoor Dating Ideas
Tired of the indoors and ‘Netflix and Chill?’ The outdoors will do you and your partner some good. Check out some of the fun outdoor ideas for a 1 year anniversary of dating that is guaranteed to give your love life a breath of fresh air. We thought of everything you might want to do, so whether it’s hiking or spending the day at the beach, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
- Visit your local farmer’s market and gather ingredients for a special dinner outside
- Walk for charity
- Spend the day at the beach
- Pack up your swimming gear and spend the day at a water park
- Enjoy an outdoor concert
- Visit a winery
- Take a road trip
- Head to your favorite spot and watch the sunset
- Visit a nearby farm and pick some fruit or fresh produce
- Head to an outdoor festival in your city
- Go camping
- Go on a bike ride
- Put out blankets in your backyard and go stargazing
- Go fishing and catch your dinner
- Rent a kayak or canoe or go on a boat for a day of cruising in the water
- If you can, induce some adrenaline and go skydiving
- Pretend you’re royalty and spend the day horseback riding
- Take some blankets to the park and watch the clouds. Name a few and take short naps
- Go to your favorite outdoor spot and take the love language test on your devices, then discuss results
- Or, take the personality test while lazing in the sun and get to know your partner better
- Play a round of volleyball at the park or beach
- Take your date to the tennis court and challenge each other to a match
- Turn your yard into an outdoor restaurant with fairy lights and grill dinner.
- Take an outdoor yoga class together
- Pack a picnic and head to the park
- Visit an arboretum or botanic garden
- Catch up on gardening
- Light a bonfire and roast marshmallows
- Win during a nerf gun battle at the park
- Go to a drive-in
- Take a walk through your neighborhood while holding hands
- Check out the cute animals at the zoo
- Play mini-golf
- Grab some ice-cream cones and lick off a bit of your partners’
- Find outdoor installations and admire them or incorporate them into a photoshoot
- Sip some drinks poolside
- Take a day trip to the nearest town
- Check if there’s a tubing hill in your area and go sledding
- If it’s winter, try to build an igloo or a snow fort
- Go zip lining
- Find a tree you can climb and compete to the top
Home Dating Ideas
Sure, you could have dinner then a movie to celebrate your time together. However, this can all start feeling a little repetitive, especially if you’ve been together a while. Sometimes, the weather isn’t good enough to spend time outside, or you simply want to have private time together indoors.
Still, there are many indoor ideas for a 1 year anniversary of dating that will help you connect and make memories with your partner. Try one of these:
- Recreate one of your favorite dates
- Get your coloring books out and fill them up together
- Bowl in the hallway
- Create a bucket list
- Light some candles, put on music, and cool a fancy dinner
- Attend a digital event
- Decorate your bedroom for a breakfast date
- Play a board game
- Pick a theme (cake, cookies, whiskey, wine, etc.) and have a tasting
- Challenge your partner to a cook-off
- Have a spa date at home
- Create your own private book club
- Have a romantic movie marathon
- Recreate your first date complete with what you wore
- Complete a puzzle
- Create a cheese board to snack on
- Watch an online concert
- Dance the night away
- Plan your next romantic getaway
- Take turns reading each other a romance novel
- Bake sweet treats for each other
- Create new pizzas together
- Take a trip down memory lane and revisit all your favorite times together
- Engage in some home improvements
- Start a new hobby or tradition
- Put all your favorite deserts together and have a feast
- Create a photo booth
- Gamble all night long on casino night
- Play video games. Loser owes the winner a date
- Play a drinking game
- Plant an indoor garden
- Play hide and seek
- Write love letters to each other then scavenger hunt for them
- Have a deep conversation
- Make a plan for your future
- Shoot a home movie while giving reasons why you love each other
Gift Ideas
Paper is the traditional 1 year anniversary symbol. The threads in the paper represent the connectivity and strength of your growing relationship. Paper symbolizes a blank slate that could refer to a new life together.
If you’re looking for modern gift ideas for a 1 year anniversary of dating, you should know that clocks are an excellent symbol of eternal love. For flowers, go for pansies or orange blossoms, or if you’re looking for something to knock the socks off your sweetheart’s feet, a gold item would be perfect on your list for 1 year anniversary ideas.
1 Year Anniversary Gift For Him
You’ve been dating him for a year now, and you know him pretty well. The only problem is, you’ve got no idea where to start with gift shopping. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back!
Traditional Gifts
You’ve been dating him for a year now, and you know him pretty well. The only problem is, you’ve got no idea where to start with gift shopping. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back!
- Scratch Off Poster – Get into your second year by helping him introduce dozens of new date ideas. You can hang a cute scratch-off poster as part of the décor in their room, and you will never run out of ideas for activities to do together.
- Personalized ‘Our Story’ Timeline – One year together is a big deal! Celebrate all the moments you’ve shared together with a custom timeline that features all the big moments you’ve shared, such as the first date, first kiss, or first trip together!
- Foldable Magnetic Paper Box – Print out miniature pictures of moments you’ve shared and present the box to him. Since the box is magnetic, he can hang it on the fridge and pick a picture each time he misses you!
- A Paper Clock – Not only is this gift as colorful as the year you’ve spent together, but it’ll also serve as an excellent décor piece in his room. The color combinations are vibrant and represent the energy you both carry for your relationship.
Modern Gifts
- Gold Colored Sunglasses – Not only will the man in your life stand out from the rest, but this look will let others know he’s stylish without trying too much. Plus, he’ll thank you for making him look extra cool.
- Gold Engraved ‘Happy Anniversary’ Rock – If you’re looking for something he can show off to everyone, a rock saying ‘I am yours’ is the perfect gift. Let the whole world know how much your heart beats for him.
- Sundial Compass – Okay, so it’s brass, but it’s also gold-colored! What better way to say ‘I love you than with a unique décor style, antique Sundial, and Compass? Have it engraved with a personalized quote and express your love for him on this special day.
- A Classic Gold Business Watch – If your man is the type to make a bold statement everywhere he goes, a gold business watch can do just that. Elevate his hustle and get him the best. If you can’t afford real gold, plenty of gold-plated options are available.
1 Year Anniversary Gift For Her
Celebrating your 1 year anniversary of dating is a big deal to her. It’s the first celebration of its kind and will set the tone for all future celebrations and anniversaries you will share. Best to make it count.
Traditional Gifts
- Custom ‘Our Journey Map’ – This one is for those whose love has gone the extra mile. This gift is an excellent way to celebrate all the places you and your girl have visited together. Personalize the design with all the maps of countries and cities you’ve visited, then add captions of your favorite highlights from the trip. If this doesn’t scream ‘romance,’ we don’t know what does.
- Origami Clocks – If you want a combination of traditional and modern clocks, an origami clock is your best buy. Even though this gift looks too delicate, it’s made of high-quality material and is durable. Pick one in your partner’s favorite color and add some visual interest to her favorite part of the house.
- ‘Mates For Life’ Print – If your girl is an animal lover, this ‘mates for life’ print is the perfect way to show her that you’re looking at a future with her. The print includes a sketch of different animals that are monogamous for life with their common and scientific names printed at the bottom. After this, her love for you will soar even higher.
- Love Poems – A book full of love poems is the perfect way to tell your significant what you feel about them. A collection of love poems could have notes ranging from classic writers to modern authors and the best of romance-inducing poetry.
Modern Gifts
- One Year Anniversary Keychain – A shiny gold-colored keychain engraved with beautiful words is the perfect anniversary gift. If you’ve been thinking about taking your relationship to the next level and moving in together, put a copy of your house key in there and present it to her.
- Gold Jewelry – Whether it’s a heart-shaped necklace, a surprise engagement ring, or a cute pair of earrings, your girl will appreciate the effort you made to get her something that represents your love for her. Don’t forget to add a note telling her exactly what you feel about her.
- A Recipe Book – If the love of your life is crazy about trying new recipes, get her a recipe book that will allow both of you to make magic in the kitchen. Consider what she loves cooking the most. So, whether it’s pastries and cakes, or sweet desserts, you and your love can explore your abilities in the kitchen while spending time together.
- A Book Bracelet – A book bracelet or locket is one of the best gifts you can present to your girl to commemorate your first anniversary of being together. Go further and personalize it with a few thoughtful or romantic words and celebrate your first chapter of the rest of your lives together.
Still can’t decide what’s the best gift for your partner? Simply visit 28 Best Gift Ideas For 1 Year Anniversary To Find Ideal Gift for Him and Her page to find out more ideas that he or she is going to love!
Feeling Overwhelmed?
We know choosing 1 year anniversary ideas you think your partner will love can be stressful. If you can’t pick one and aren’t going for the element of surprise, you can ask your partner for help. Make a list of your preferred ideas for a 1 year anniversary of dating, then let your partner choose a couple. From there, it’ll be easy to settle on the perfect one.
