Of all the milestones in life, anniversaries can be some of the most exciting. There are few things better than celebrating your love for your partner, and the chance for a regular reminder of that commitment can be one of the highlights of your year—or, if you’re really the romantic type, the highlight of your month.

But you may be wondering when it’s appropriate to celebrate, how big a celebration you should have, and what kind of gift you should get. We’ve got your back with anniversary suggestions, but let’s break it down even further.

Which Anniversaries Should I Celebrate?

That’s up to you and your significant other! While some people like to mark milestones monthly, most people celebrate a yearly anniversary, with bigger celebrations every five years. If you’re asking these types of questions, there’s a chance you’re not really the romantic type. That doesn’t mean you love your significant other any less than they love you; it just means you express it differently, and you may need an assist if your partner is more enthusiastic about celebrating than you are.

Unless your partner really likes to go way overboard with anniversary celebrations, there’s nothing wrong with following their lead. If they want to celebrate monthly and you don’t mind a fancy dinner out and picking up some flowers, go for it!

Some people want to celebrate every kind of anniversary—or monthiversary! First date, first kiss, even the anniversary of moving in together. That may be pushing it, but make sure you agree on which anniversaries are worth going all-out for. As in all aspects of a relationship, communication is key.

What’s The Right Way To Celebrate An Anniversary?

It all depends! As we said, you and your significant other know what’s right for you. Still, you can’t go wrong with a weekend away or dinner at your favorite restaurant. Add in flowers or a well-thought-through gift and you’ve put together a great yearly anniversary.

Ultimately, you know your partner and what they’d like best. If their idea of the perfect weekend is a quiet few days at home with your cell phones off and some good takeout, great! Easy peasy.

Are Some Anniversaries More Special Than Others?

You should treat every anniversary as a celebration of the love you have for each other, but there are definitely some anniversaries that are seen as worthy of extra celebration. Your first anniversary is definitely a big one. You may not be able to get away for the night, but in addition to a nice dinner, it’s traditional to exchange gifts on the first anniversary. After that, traditionally gifts are given every five years. At the fifty year anniversary, you definitely want to throw a great celebration—you’ve earned it!

Should We Throw A Party?

Most couples typically only throw parties for the “biggies” like 25 and 50. Still, many couples are finding that a one year anniversary party with friends can be nice, especially if the wedding itself was an intimate event. Ultimately, it’s up to you and your partner if you’d like to celebrate with a larger group. One thing is for sure: if your partner isn’t the partying type, don’t push it. And definitely don’t plan a surprise party for someone who hates surprises.

Don’t feel pressured to make your anniversary the biggest party the world has ever seen. If you want a group celebration, booking a private room at a nice restaurant and inviting a handful of your friends is a nice compromise—and you’ll actually be able to hear each other talk.

Should I Buy A Gift?

It’s rarely a bad idea to buy a gift! There are only a few caveats involved with buying a gift for an anniversary. First, while you might not want to blow your cover, you should know your partner well enough to know if they’re the gift-giving type as well. It’s perfectly fine if they’re not. They may still appreciate a gift from you—especially if they’re the type of person who likes to be pampered.

Here are a few tips for the clueless gift-giver: First, as basic as it sounds, make sure you’re buying a gift they would like, rather than one you would like. And if you’re considering a gift that you think the two of you can enjoy together, step back and consider whether or not it’s truly a gift they would enjoy.

If you’re buying clothing or jewelry, make sure you know their size and style. No matter your intentions, buying the wrong size can sometimes spur hurt feelings. If you need help figuring out what size to buy, go to their closet and check the tags in their favorite clothes and use those as a guide. Sizing isn’t always perfect, but a little research never hurt anyone.

Second, buy something truly fun and enjoyable. Practical gifts have their place, but that old saw about not buying your wife a blender for her birthday applies here, too. The idea is to buy them something they’d love but would never buy themselves, or something they’ve wanted for a long time buy haven’t gotten yet. Depending on your partner, a good book may be gift enough.

Finally, a romantic vacation can be the escape you both need. By all means, take the trip, but make sure you take a few things into consideration first. First, how is the timing? Will you both be able to get the time off work to go? Then, think about the financial considerations. Spoiling your partner rotten is nice, but things can get rocky if you’ve splurged beyond your means. Run the numbers before you hit “reserve.”

What If I Get It Wrong?

Don’t worry too much. At the end of the day, your love really is enough. Anything else is icing on the cake. But if you’re still in the dark about what to get the love of your life on your anniversary, remember, we’ve got some awesome anniversary gift guides to help!

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