Ask Dan & Jennifer

Xero: First, congratulations on your anniversary. And, congratulations for not jumping into a sexual relationship. Believe me, you won't regret that decision.

Now, to your question. This is where you have to know the girl. You have to know what interests her. What makes her eyes light up? Is it music, outdoor activities, mechanics journals, or what? Or, what is her intended profession? Maybe, what are her goals? Then, pick something symbolic of that. She'll be more impressed that you were paying attention than anything else.

Her intended profession is physical therapy.

I think she will enjoy anything shes pretty easily amused and would find anything special or anything that would be out of my way would be special to her.

I already plan to get her roses/flowers, but thats just not enough obviously.

Oh yes, thanks on the sex thing. We are at least waiting until shes of age, and when we feel the time is right.

Hey, congrats on coming up on 1 year. So the anniversary is a few days after Thanksgiving then. Whatever it is that you intend on buying, I would suggest you buy before Thanksgiving so you can avoid the shopping wars. Also, I guess this also depends on how much you're willing to spend for this occasion. If you're planning on giving her gifts, then Beagle has the right idea as to what will make her happy. If you know how to cook, you can try making dinner for her. By that time I'm sure everyone will be tired of the Thanksgiving leftovers and would be in the mood to eat something else other than turkey.

Hi Xero,

Dan here. First congratulations! Then I'd like to second Beagle's comment, absolutely great that you're choosing to hold off entering a sexual relationship; plenty of time for that.

I personally would focus less on getting or making a present, and more on something fun to do together. After all that's what she really wants, time with you, to be with you, etc.

So perhaps going somewhere special, maybe even taking the day and going for a picnic or something of the sort?

I'm quite the romantic myself for better or for worse, but every year I like to re-create Jennifer and my first date with Jennifer... really our first 3 dates, but anyway. Jennifer endulges this although it's mainly "my thing", but I know she also appreciates that I care about it. In December it will be 7 years since our first date, and we'll again meet at that same Starbucks here in Dallas where we met before going to lunch 7 years ago. :-)

All these are just ideas... mine and the others you see here... now which of them speaks to YOU?

Above all, enjoy yourselves, be happy, and have fun!!!

Buy some index cards. On 8 to 10 cards write down one thing that you admire about her. Hide the cards in your apartment, her apartment, your cars, etc. Then give her a detailed list of instructions on how to find the cards. Make the instructions riddles.

For example - lets say the first time you kissed was in her car at the end of a date. The riddle may say something like this....

"On a rainy day late in May, we shared a first that has since been rehearsed. Sitting side-by-side in bucket seats your lips tasted ever so sweet. Look to the right it will be out of site."

Hide the index card under the seat in her car with a written message. Be sure you recognize something you two have never discusssed. Don't focus on just her beauty, but think about her behavior. What does she do that makes her unique. Maybe something like....

"Today I want you to know that I cherish you because you are always respectful to strangers."

"I admire the way you control your temper - always presenting yourself as the high quality woman that you are."

"I love to watch your exitement and anticipation on Tuesdays when a new episode of LOST is about to come on."

Notice the details.

I congratulate you on your anniversery and also applaud you for holding off on sex it's a big step, and I think should be commended, but I agree with Dan to take the day off and spend it with her or have a romantic picnic for two in the park, or take her ice skating. But I promise you that whatever you do she'll be happy with whatever you decide to do. Thanks for your your advice on my thread. Good luck( u won't need it though) :]

congratulations man! that's awesome: well every month I create a happy anniversary card by myself and write her about the experiences and the feeling we've shared during that month. HEY, I DON'T BUY THE CARD! I DO IT BY MYSELF, meaning that i pick up some construction paper, some markers and pens, i prepare my writing in another piece of paper, so i don't make any mistakes on the card, etc. and of course i give, chocolates, gifts (it could be something simple or something she needs), tickets to a special event or something.
i would suggest that you go out to somewhere special. you could maybe do a picnic, that's always romantic. dinner and a movies is more of an usual "go out" so try to do something new.

Christmas in Hershey?

Holiday weekend getaway to some New York wineries?

Weekend in DC? Stay at a nice hotel and enjoy the museums.

Bed and Breakfast in a nice town (Lancaster is fun, has some nice eateries and there is a cool little market).

What are you looking at spending? And how much time do you have? If you have the whole holiday weekend and funds are not a complete issue, take the train up to Maine/Boston.

Originally posted by: Dazed
Christmas in Hershey?

Holiday weekend getaway to some New York wineries?

Weekend in DC? Stay at a nice hotel and enjoy the museums.

Bed and Breakfast in a nice town (Lancaster is fun, has some nice eateries and there is a cool little market).

What are you looking at spending? And how much time do you have? If you have the whole holiday weekend and funds are not a complete issue, take the train up to Maine/Boston.

I'm looking for something simple. I'm only 19 and cant really do any of the above.:o

You location is PA, right? Christmas in Hershey is FREE. If you have ever been to Hershey park, they just put lights up everywhere and have some of the games open. Along with random Xmas stuff and reindeer. Hotel room shouldn't cost more than $200.

Same with B&B in Lancaster.

DC trip may cost a little more (~$300), but, if you have never been to DC, you can have the entire weekend full of cruising the city, walking through the colleges, museums, shopping, government/historical stuff, etc. All this is free (minus cost of metro, which isn't too expensive).

However, since you are only 19, I wouldn't waste the money :p There will/should be more girls in your future.

For starters Xero... I'm amazed that you're only 19 - reading your posts - you have wisdom beyond your years!!!

Congratulations on your 1 year and holding off on a sexual relationship - so that being said, an overnight romantic getaway is out of the question (and it can be expensive too).

I like the make it yourself present idea. As a woman, there is nothing more romantic than a guy letting his girl know she is on his mind and the effort you put in that will most likely not go unnoticed. This depends on your creative abilities, but there are a lot of sites to get ideas from. The first thing that hits my mind is "Art Attack" (Art Attack) it's my kids' favourite show. This guy (Neil Buchanan) is very talented and can make anything out of anything!

I agree with Beagle, what is she into? Would she like a romantic picnic? Maybe burn a CD with her/your (plural) favourite music? If you can cook, making a meal is a great touch... write her something (doesn't have to be poetry) about why you're happy to be with her. Like Dan said, its the spending time together that's important.

Anyway, congratulations again, and she is a lucky girl to have a guy who's emotionally invested in her. I'm sure she'd be pleased with anything that you come up with.

Good Luck!!

Update:

I actually forgot to post what went down finally.

So my girlfriend gave me options on what we could do and I picked something.

Let me start from the beginning.

We planned on meeting at her house because I'm the one driving. So I went to the store days before and found a nice necklace to get her that I knew she would like(nothing too fancy just some Hello Kitty thing she loves that cat).

I also got her some flowers the day of, before I went over to her house. So we planned on eating breakfast and that consisted of pancakes. So we ate breakfast and exchanged cards we wrote for each other and the gift(s) that we got for each other.

Then we went to the water park and spent most of the day there. We left and went to the local mall to just look around at stuff and spend time with each other. Went to my house afterward and watched some TV and that was mostly our day. Simple yet fun.

Sounds like everything went well.