So you know the flu that I was suffering from? (I had a good old moan about it over on Rock My Family). Well that turned out to be pneumonia. Which was just what I wanted being eight months pregnant. But I’m now on antibiotics, so onwards and upwards to more pressing issues such as 1) Have I got time to find some nice new blinds for the spare room ready for when my mum comes to stay? 2) What size nappies do I need to be buying? 3) And what the flip do I get Rich for our ten year anniversary in a couple of weeks?

And that’s where you readers come in. I know you’ve come up with some fab suggestions in the past and would love to hear your ideas for a blinking lovely anniversary gift, as traditional or as zany as they may be. I was particularly impressed by the recommendations you guys made when “RMS reader Carrie” was on the hunt for holidays for her hubby’s 40th, and even more delighted when I discovered that “Carrie” was in fact our editor Lauren who had been commissioned by her friend Matt to find a proposal-worthy destination to whisk his girlfriend away to. I did consider doing similar with this post to keep it a secret, however as Rich only seems to read this blog when under strict instructions to do so (shame on him), I don’t think there’s much danger in him finding out about it.

Oh and on a side note. It’s not a wedding anniversary as we aren’t married – just a celebration of the fact that we’ve been a couple for ten years, so nothing wedding-related please!

The Criteria

  • I’m going to say a budget of a couple of hundred quid but happy to dip into savings if needs be. It may sound extravagant however we’ll have other things to spend money on when the little one arrives so it would be nice to spoil Rich now.
  • I’m veering towards an experience gift just because he is so bloody fussy when it comes to clothes/material goods. (And yes if that experience means that I may be able to join in, then even better).
  • I’m thinking a child-free night or weekend away at some point towards the end of the summer might be a go-er. I’m pretty sure we could persuade the in-laws to look after Lyra and her little brother if it’s only for a couple of days max. We are good at travelling light so would consider a whistlestop visit to most places in Europe. Or maybe there’s an ace family-friendly festival in the UK that we could all go to…?

What He Likes

So far all he has requested is a new pizza cutter or a new set of kitchen knives, bless him. (He’s an excellent cook…I know, lucky me). These requests are all very well and good but a) I can’t believe the price of a posh knife block and feel a bit overwhelmed by the sheer choice out there and b) kitchen utensils are just not very, well, exciting. Probably going on the list of little-things-for-him-to-open though is this Joseph Joseph pizza cutter.

He loves football and has recently gotten into Rugby Union, and cycles to work when he can. His mountain bike was stolen recently and he’s mentioned that he’d like a hybrid bike to replace it, but I know he would want a good – read expensive – one and I’m not sure my maternity leave pay will stretch that far! He also loves a challenge (he’s run the London Marathon and done the likes of Wolf Run and Tough Mudder) so signing him and his best mate up to something like Man Vs Mountain has crossed my mind.

Previous Presents

As part of his Christmas present I bought him this highly impractical white dressing gown which was a hit (he’s a big fan of anything Paul Smith), and when we lived in Australia I treated us both to a champagne sailing experience on Sydney Harbour. Now this was just incredible and something similar would be perfect. If only we still lived in Sydney rather than the Midlands. However if you are in Oz any time soon and need to treat a loved one, I cannot recommend it enough.

And if you ask Rich what his favourite present from me has been, he will maintain it was a ‘Love’ book from Kikki K which was a keepsake collection of memories and photos of our relationship (similar to this and this). He’s a true softie and romantic at heart.

Have you lovelies got any thoughts? What did you get your other halves for your ten year anniversary? Can you think of any thoughtful ways of presenting the gift?!