How did you celebrate your silver wedding anniversary?

[Crackery]

Would love to hear how you marked the occasion, if you did... thanks!

Party.

Went somewhere really shitty, it had brilliant trip advisor reviews, but they must have been paid for. Then had a massive row. It rained all weekend. Worst weekend ever.

Back in February of 2020, on our 24th anniversary, we planned a trip to England to visit my husband's parents and then go spend a few days in Italy for our Silver Anniversary in February 2021 (we live in the US).

We all know how the world changed only a little bit later...

We lost our business and main livelihood due to Covid so our Silver Anniversary in 2021 was a complete dud. I know that we didn't buy gifts or go out to dinner. We had a super simple meal at home and a cheap bottle of sparkling wine to celebrate the milestone.

Honestly can't remember .... probably dinner out? I'm not aware that parties to celebrate anniversaries are much of a thing these days? We've been married a long time, as have many of our friends, but never known of any celebratory parties or even people mentioning them.

Had a drink and watched TV.

Our silver wedding anniversary was in April 2008 and we booked a lovely hotel in London for a weekend away. This coincided with the Icelandic volcanoe erupting and lots of flights into London were cancelled. It was fab, never seen the place se empty. We walked into Fortnum and Mason and asked if they had any spaces for an impromptu cream tea (you normally book weeks in advance) and they laughed as we were the only people in there.

We also went to the theatre and I doubt there were 50 people in the theatre. Probably just as well as we went to see Wicked, which I loved, but DH hated it and fell asleep and started snoring!

Whoops my maths is rubbish - it was 2010!

It was in covid lockdown, so nothing. And no one sent a card or anything, no acknowledgement from anyone.

Ours was just this past January and May (long story two weddings) so in March we went to Secrets in Lanzarote for a week which was just perfect for us at this time and had a nice dinner out on the day in May.

We went on holiday, I bought him a lovely watch and he bought me a lovely ring (the holiday was a cheapie as we wanted to spend money on something tangible, hence the jewellery)

Family party. Had dinner in the garden. It was lovely.

For our 30th we took close family out for lunch to a very old pub in a neighbouring village. Had what was effectively a private dining experience because they had stopped serving lunches but honoured our booking.

This thread has made me think that I really should put some effort into our 35th Anniversary this year .. I am not at all romantic and don't really enjoy 'celebrating' but I know it would mean a lot to my DH.

Went for lunch.

We don't have anyone to look after our Disabled DD so we took the opportunity whilst she was at school.

Luckily restaurants had reopened as it was during covid, though there were still some restrictions.

We had 2 nights on the Yorkshire Coast & 2 nights in York with a special meal on the anniversary evening, it was lovely. Just low key & relaxing with beautiful weather. Neither of us would have wanted a party but I was pleasantly surprised with the lovely cards we received.

Party at home for about 30 guests, and a long weekend in Funchal at the Royal Savoy. Lovely.
For our 30th, nowt as we were both grieving a loss.

Nothing for our Silver as one of our children was going through a very hard time (nothing for my 50th either for the same reason).

Hoping that all will be well for our 30th next year.

Weekend away in a famous iconic hotel on the actual day then took the children on a California road trip the week after. It was also DH’s 50th that year but he was working abroad at the time.

Such a mix of stories... with so many of you feeling robbed of a celebration because of other factors... 😔

I really want to mark the occasion- thinking more of a short trip, even an overnight somewhere a bit special...

Where do you live Crackery and what is your budget and I will see if I can give you some ideas?

I spent mine in the operating theatre, trying to keep a poor 89 year old cardiac wreck alive during major trauma surgery on an 8 hour shift for anaesthetics, then went home and cried, as DH had died 15 years earlier- we never got the chance to celebrate it.
Do something special OP, and treasure your DH while you still have him.

Having spent many years completely forgetting our anniversary we managed a few days away in Croatia with DC2, and went out for a good dinner.

Thinking about a trip to Stockholm for our 30th.

Weekend away in a cute shepherd hut, cooking outdoors on an open fire and drinking whisky. It was nice. 30th is this year. No plans. Yet.

Stayed at Claridges (my favourite hotel in London) and then later in the year went on a fab safari in South Africa. Didn't really see it as "celebrating" tbh, we just like good holidays 🤣 And I would rather chop off my own arm than have any type of smug party.

We did a repeat of our honeymoon, a week in Majorca, and had a fantastic time. In some ways it was better than our honeymoon as whilst we were on honeymoon the Spanish PM was assassinated and there were 4 days of official mourning with everything shut!

Planning a party for October. I’m pretty sure it won’t be smug 🙄