Anniversaries are markers of success for any relationship. It is not just a day that two people celebrate being together as a couple, focused on gifts and romantic gestures; it also symbolizes another year of growth and understanding. Did you know there is a traditional gift exchanged each year you're married? Each anniversary has a different theme that symbolizes the maturation of your relationship together. According toBrides Magazine, the first traditional anniversary gift is paper, which symbolizes the strength and connectivity of your blossoming relationship. The second-anniversary gift is cotton that recognizes the maturation of your relationship together. Emily Post would be proud.
I celebrated my sixth anniversary recently, and well, it looked very different than any year before. The simple fact is that COVID-19 is still rampant, and we are still mostly confined to the house. Our ideal situation would have been a romantic getaway or a lavish dinner celebration at our favorite restaurant. Both options seemed like a hassle given the restrictions on dining out and tests required for trips. We opted to stay home and order take-out while catching up on movies. It was perfectly normal without the fluff. However, it did give us the time to talk to each other and plan our engagement photoshoot.
Photo Credit: S. Bola Okoya
You would think living together and spending more time in the house than ever before would give us the time to plan, but that's not true. The combination of our day jobs, side hustles, parenting, and household responsibilities, left us depleted. We gave each other the gift of focus instead of a physical one, and I couldn't have been more grateful.
Instead of looking at your quarantine celebration as a lackluster event, think about the creative ways that you can love each other. It is an opportunity to refresh old traditions and make new ones.
How To Celebrate Your Anniversary During Quarantine
Couples Massage
Physical touch is one of my love languages. Anytime there's a focus on intimacy, I'm excited. Planning a massage for two is a great way to show your partner affection and do something relaxing at the same time. Fill the room with candles, essential oils, and massage oils - these can be store-bought or made with a blend of oils - and use the bed as your massage temple. I highly suggest making a special playlist that includes a combination of soothing music and your favorite love songs.
Photo Credit: S. Bola Okoya
Paint and Sip
You don't have to be Picasso to enjoy painting. Luckily, there are plenty of virtual paint and sip parties happening that you can take advantage of regionally. A quick Google search will give you a list of providers in your area that can ship the products to you or offer contactless delivery.
Brunch
Brunch is always a great idea. Whether you pick up a meal or make it yourself, set the table with your favorite cocktail or mimosa, and you have a party.
Candlelit Dinner
If brunch isn't your thing, there's always dinner. Select your favorite eats, light some candles, dress up for each other, and meet at the dinner table.
Photo Credit: S. Bola Okoya
Backyard Movie Night
If you have a backyard and are a lover of cinema, then you have the option to set it up for a cozy movie night. Projectors are a great way to watch a movie for a home theater. You have the option of purchasing one to invest in future movie nights or renting for special occasions. Either way, don't forget the pillows, covers, and snacks.
Wheel of Foreplay
If you're looking to spice up the night, try playing the Wheel of Foreplay, a fun way to explore intimacy with your partner. The game was created to encourage everyone to have more sex while stuck at home, says sextech entrepreneur Bryony Cole.
"My hope for Wheel of Foreplay is that people spinning it feel like they can really enjoy keeping their intimacy locked down, physically and digitally, and start enjoying all of the benefits of intimate connection," Cole said in a press release.
Whether you choose to celebrate your anniversary with a traditional or modern gift, some foreplay or do nothing at all, there is more love to go around. Get creative and try to do something out of the box.
Are you a member of our insiders squad? Join us in the xoTribe Members Community today!
Featured image by S. Bola Okoya
- How to celebrate your anniversary during quarantine: 9 creative ... ›
- 10 Fun Quarantine Anniversary Ideas - How to Celebrate At Home ... ›
- 15 Fun Ideas for Celebrating an Anniversary During Quarantine ›
- Ideas for Celebrating Your Anniversary During Quarantine | HGTV ›
- 7 Ways to Celebrate Your Birthday During Quarantine — SEEN ... ›
- 10 Fun Ideas: How to Celebrate Your Anniversary During Quarantine ›
RELATED
It's easy for couples to fall into a routine, going through the motions and letting their connection sit on autopilot. While comfort is natural in a long-term relationship, it’s important to remember: that what you don’t nurture, eventually fades. So, why not make 2025 the year you reset your relationship? Here’s how to start the year with a renewed bond, reigniting the spark that brought you together.
Step 1: Schedule Your Reset Meeting
The first step to hitting the reset button is a State of the Union meeting with your partner. This is your chance to take a pulse on the relationship, discuss what's working, and identify areas that need attention. It’s all about creating space to reflect, without distractions.
Grab a pen and paper (or open a shared note on your phone) and come prepared to share your top 2-3 desires for your relationship.
What do you both want to feel more of in 2025? Maybe it’s feeling more appreciated, or perhaps you want to reignite the passion you had when you first started dating. Whatever it is, get clear about it, and make sure both of you are on the same page.
This isn’t just about listing your own wants, it’s also about discussing ways to nurture each other’s needs. Relationship goals should be focused on fostering deeper intimacy, trust, and mutual respect. Use this time to check in, not only with each other but with your individual feelings and expectations. Set the foundation for a fulfilling year ahead.
Alistair Berg/Getty ImagesStep 2: Set A Date (Or Multiple!)
Having the meeting is only the first step. Now, it’s time to take action. One of the simplest ways to breathe new life into a relationship is by reintroducing consistent, intentional time spent together. For many couples, life gets busy, and date nights fall by the wayside. But dating doesn’t stop when you say "I do"—in fact, it’s even more essential.
During your reset meeting, lock in a regular date night that works for both of your schedules. This could be a weekly dinner date or an every-other-week adventure—whatever keeps things fresh. The goal is consistency. It’s easy to push date nights aside when life gets hectic, but if you set a specific date each week or month, you’re making your relationship a priority.
If you’re unsure what to do for your date nights, don’t worry! The key is creating new experiences together. This is what sparks excitement and brings you closer as a couple. Whether it’s cooking a new recipe together, trying a dance class, or exploring a nearby town, it’s about creating shared memories that build your connection.
Getty ImagesStep 3: Find an Accountability Partner
Just like you might have a personal trainer to help you crush your fitness goals, an accountability partner for your relationship can do wonders for keeping both of you on track. Consider hiring a marriage coach or therapist—someone who can meet you where you are and guide you in strengthening your relationship.
When selecting a professional, it’s important to choose someone who truly wants the best for your marriage and can provide actionable advice.
Don’t be afraid to set high standards for your relationship, and seek guidance on how to keep it thriving for the long haul. In your reset meeting, discuss your commitment to growth, and be honest about areas where you may need support.
Marriage isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it endeavor—it’s an ongoing process. Regular check-ins with a professional can help keep your relationship in tip-top shape and “divorce-proof” by addressing issues before they become insurmountable.
DMP/ Getty ImagesStep 4: Try Something New Together
Stale routines can easily make a relationship feel monotonous. Spice things up by trying something new! Couples that explore new activities and create new memories together have stronger, more fulfilling bonds.
My husband and I host one of the top luxury marriage retreats, A Weekend For Love, designed to help couples experience new things together. From couples' workshops to outdoor adventures, the retreat provides a platform to rediscover each other and reconnect on a deeper level.
The element of surprise can reignite your connection. It’s exciting, fresh, and shows your partner that you’re committed to growing together. This doesn’t have to be a huge commitment—it could be as simple as trying a new hobby or planning an impromptu weekend getaway.
Your Relationship Should Be A Priority
As you start the year with personal goals in mind, don’t forget the importance of nurturing your relationship. It’s easy to get caught up in work, fitness, and family obligations, but your bond with your partner deserves to be at the top of your list. Resetting your relationship offers an opportunity to reignite that spark and remind each other why you fell in love in the first place.
In 2025, make a commitment to prioritize your partnership, to nurture it daily, and to invest in its growth. Take time to celebrate each other’s victories, support one another’s dreams, and build a foundation of love and respect. When you start the year with a clear focus on your relationship, you’re setting it up for success.
So, before you start mapping out your new workout plan or work goals, do yourself a favor: put your relationship at the top of that list. Your love story deserves a fresh start, too.
Happy New Year, and here’s to a love-filled 2025!
Couples, if you are ready to do the work and invest in your relationship register for A Weekend For Love: Heart Retreat Feb 21-23, 2025.
Featured image by zamrznutitonovi/Getty Images
Below, Angel shares the skincare products that make her skin glow and her go-to makeup looks.
Check out her routines below.
Skincare
Vogue/YouTube
Angel starts with La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser. “I love skincare. Makes me feel good, makes me feel cleanse, especially after a long day because I’m always on the go,” she said. “I play sports, so my face is always drenched with sweat, and I always gotta keep it clean.”
Vogue/YouTube
Angel uses two moisturizers. She uses Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer SPF 30 first and follows it up with Cetaphil Soothing Gel Cream with Aloe.
"You have to use the thinnest layer and then the thickest layer," she said. "I learned these tips because one time I posted a skincare routine and they were like, you need to run that back. And they taught me you need to do thin then thick and then I could see the complete difference with my skin."
Vogue/YouTube
She keeps Laniege Lip Balm with her at all times, including during games.
Vogue/YouTube
One-Size Setting Spray is her go-to for keeping her makeup fresh on the court. “I usually spray my beauty blender with my setting spray,” she said. “People usually wet the beauty blender under the water, but why not set it with this.”
Vogue/YouTube
She rounds out her beauty routine with mascara, brows, and her lip combo using Rare Beauty Kind Words Lip Liner and Covergirl Clean Fresh Yummy Gloss. But before closing, she made sure to give flowers to the WNBA stars before her who were also known for getting glammed on and off the court.
“I gotta give kudos to the girls who were wearing makeup before. Lisa Leslie, Skylar Diggins, Candace Parker. Everybody already had their edges and their lashes, lipstick on," she said. "Tina Thompson; she used to wear a full red lip on her lips during the game, but that’s something I could probably never do.”
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Vogue/YouTube