Each relationship has its own unique set of challenges. This is especially true if you happen to be involved in a long-distance relationship.
Spending time together and making time in each person’s schedule is critical to keeping the spark alive. That’s why it’s so important to acknowledge and celebrate the anniversary date of your relationship.
Below you’ll find some of the best ways to celebrate anniversaries in a long distance relationship, especially as you unfortunately can’t always be together on that special day.
These incredible long distance anniversary ideas are touching and romantic, helping you stay connected and mark such an important milestone.
💖 Table of Contents
1. Digital Dinner
As someone in a long distance relationship myself, I feel especially grateful for the technology that helps keep people connected. Rather than simply sticking to a traditional phone call, you can visit face-to-face via several top platforms such as Messenger, Skype, and FaceTime.
However, you can take it a step further to help you celebrate your anniversary. You can plan to have dinner together by ordering the same meal or sending a special meal to your significant other.
There are meal delivery services that allow you to order specific meals, or you can choose a chain you both have in each city. Order the food for delivery and set the scene by laying out the table and wearing something special. Then, set up your video chat.
You can simulate having dinner together and take some time to relax and enjoy one another’s company even if you can’t be at the same place at the same time.
2. Exchange Letters
In today’s digital world, we tend to forget the impact that a handwritten, heartfelt letter can have on your partner. These handwritten letters can not only brighten their day but can also give them something to cherish in the future.
If you want to send a romantic or thoughtful letter for your anniversary, consider adding some special touches, such as the following:
- Custom stationery that sets the tone for all your letters.
- Always use a quality pen.
- Seal the envelope with a unique stamp.
- Use a touch of your favorite scent.
- Enclose a photo or memento.
The great thing about letters is they allow you to express yourself and include your own special flair.
It’s a gift they can appreciate for years to come and a perfect way to recognize your anniversary as an accomplishment, even if you’re in a long-distance relationship. The standard protocol would usually be to send the letters whenever you feel like reaching out.
However, if it’s your anniversary, you can plan to coordinate sending your letters simultaneously, around the week before, to open them on that special day.
You can also prepare the letter as above, but open it on your digital dinner date and read your letters out loud to each other after dinner.
3. Bonding Jewelry
I’ve discovered an excellent idea for anyone in a long-distance relationship who wants to feel closer to their significant other: consider investing in bonding jewelry that uses technology to interact.
These devices are usually a ring or a bracelet you can touch when you’re thinking of one another. When you touch the bracelet, the other person’s device lights up or vibrates, and the same happens for you.
This would make a wonderful mutual anniversary gift to send one another as a reminder of your special connection, even when you’re separated by many miles.
4. Name A Star
A unique and timeless gift for your long-distance anniversary is to name a star after your special someone.
By sending in your submission to The Star Registry, you can name a star after someone, and it will shine bright as a reminder of your anniversary and the special connection you share, even when you can’t celebrate in person.
You can acquire a few different package options, and there’s even an option to buy an NFT if you want to skip mailing your details or emailing them.
5. A Custom Gift Basket
If you want to make your significant other feel special on your anniversary, I also suggest creating a customized gift basket. There are a few ways to go about creating the gift basket.
You can use a company that specializes in these types of gifts. They normally have many options on a website where you can choose to create the basket.
Once you finish picking an assortment of items, they will deliver the basket to the address you provide.
However, if you want to handle the project by yourself, you can also ship it via a courier service like UPS and have it arrive on your special day.
Although there may be distance on that occasion, the right combination of basket additions can make them feel special and appreciated.
6. Netflix and Video Chat
Perhaps one of the most common couple activities is watching a movie together. However, when you’re in a long-distance relationship, it can require a little more planning and creativity.
On the evening of your anniversary, you may decide to watch a movie together, even if you’re cities apart. Thanks to video chats, you can make it happen.
Decide which movie you want to watch together and turn on your video chat with a separate device. Start the film at the same time and relax. This is the perfect after-dinner video chat activity.
7. Drinks While Out on the Town
Another LDR anniversary idea for those who don’t want to spend their anniversary without the other party is drinks while out on the town.
People are constantly on their phones today, so no one bats an eye if you’re out and about having drinks while video chatting.
I think this is a fun way to have that night out on the town you want with your special someone while dating long distance, or having a wedding anniversary while your partner is away for business or studies.
Just be sure to arrange for safe transport to and from your home when out drinking so you can focus on each other, while still remaining safe.
8. Video Compilation
If you want to make a real and genuine emotional impact on your anniversary, consider making a video compilation of your finest moments together as a couple. There are many video editors available to the public that are easy to use.
Download your app or visit the website and upload your best moments together. Whether it’s photos or videos, you can create something truly special in just a few minutes.
Set those moments to music and choose your special effects and more. Send this video on the day of your anniversary to let them know how special they are.
It’s a great keepsake for the years to come but remember, this gift is for both of you. Making it together makes it that much more treasured.
9. Subscription Box Gifts
Subscription gift boxes for men and women are super-trendy and fun. These monthly box gifts are a great way to celebrate a long-distance anniversary.
You can work with many companies that put together personalized yet surprising gift boxes each month. It’s a great way to celebrate the next year in your relationship, while reminding them that you’re thinking of them right now.
Plus, it’s fun to anticipate these boxes because these companies use quality items that are sure to be a nice surprise and something to look forward to unboxing.
If you want to avoid gender-specific gifts, you can opt to choose a wine or cheese gift box, and there are also international snack gift boxes.
10. Game Night
If you’re a couple who loves to play board games or strategy games together, then having a virtual game night is a home run for a long distance relationship anniversary idea.
You can do this activity as a stand-alone date, or you can pair virtual game night with your digital dinner, too.
It’s a wonderful way to spend some quality time having fun and celebrating a special relationship on its anniversary. Some games to consider playing long distance can include the following:
- Chess
- Checkers
- Trivial pursuit
- Monopoly
- Cards
For games that take a long time to play, you can set up your game and continue it at a later time if you have to go to bed early for work or school.
11. Send a Photo Collage
Similar to the video compilation idea above, creating a striking and sentimental photo collage is easier than ever. You can use various photo services to create a collage and print it in the comfort of your own home.
You can frame your custom photo collage and have it sent to your partner on your special day.
It’s a great anniversary gift that lets them know you’re thinking about them and helps them feel like you are there with them when they look at your handmade gift. You can print these photos via a service or use an online tool.
If you don’t want to use an online service, you can print photos at big-box retailers like Walmart and find a nice frame to match at the same location. Just make sure you package your items securely to avoid damage in transit.
12. Create a Custom Memory Book
Having the technology we possess in our everyday lives is convenient, but having something physical as a keepsake is special. When those two worlds combine, it can make for the perfect virtual anniversary idea.
Some companies specialize in creating types of digital books that combine text messages, emails, photos, and much more.
It’s like a modern-day scrapbook of the special moments you share, even when you can’t be together in the same room.
The great thing about this gift is that it’s something that’s economical to create and will provide special memories for many years to come.
13. Paint Together
Anniversaries call for something different and special if there is time. One unique and fun online anniversary idea is having a painting and wine session together.
Wine and painting sessions are very popular in today’s culture because they allow each participant to be social and creative at the same time. To set up the session, you both need the appropriate supplies, such as:
- paints.
- canvas.
- palettes for mixing.
- water for brushes.
- wine or preferred drinks.
- video messaging app.
Once you have your art supplies in place, you can start your video chat. Pour your drink of choice, whether it’s a fancy fruit juice cocktail or your favorite wine, and sit down to relax.
You can paint each other or anything you like. When the session is over, you can let your masterpiece dry, package it carefully, and send it to the other person as a gift for your anniversary.
14. Go on a Photo Adventure
Coordinate a date for your anniversary that takes you and your partner to special places. Challenge each other to go to special spots you’d like to visit together when you’re able to go.
When you finish your day of adventuring to special spots by yourself, send the photos to the other person to show them where you’d like to visit when you can see them in your town or city.
This activity helps build anticipation for when you can visit, and it also provides a fun and adventurous activity to do together on your anniversary date.
15. Spa Day
If you can’t be together to enjoy your anniversary, that doesn’t mean it can’t be relaxing and enjoyable. Send each other on a spa day. Send them to get a massage, a hair appointment, or a manicure and pedicure.
Purchase the vouchers at the same time so you can both enjoy a fun and laid-back day to commemorate a big milestone in any relationship.
Top your spa day off with some special treats and enjoy a perfect day, even while you are separated by distance.
16. Go to a Concert “Together”
Everybody has their phone out and takes pictures and videos at concerts or festivals. You can go to these events even if your significant other is many miles away.
When you get to the show and the talent starts playing, you can hop on your video chat app and turn the screen to face the stage so you two can experience the show together.
It’s a fun way to catch your favorite talent even if both of you can’t be there for your celebration. Don’t forget to stop at the merchandise booth to pick up matching shirts or music to have a souvenir of the event.
This is a fun way to catch a great show, have a date, and pick up some gifts for both of you when you can be together at a later time.
You can send the matching merchandise as part of a care or gift package.
17. Escape Room
Most people have heard of escape rooms, and they are quickly becoming a preferred activity for groups of people, especially millennials. There are usually escape rooms in most cities across the country and around the world.
You can either bring your partner along with you and your friends to participate in an escape room session together, or arrange a similar activity for your partner and their friends in their own city. Whether in person or on video chat, you get to work together as a couple to figure out the clues that allow you to escape the room you’re in.
It’s a blend of excitement, socialization, and creative thinking, which all add up to a fun date that you can share with other friends and your special person on your special day.
18. Flower Arrangement Subscription
Receiving flowers regularly is a nice way to let someone know you’re thinking about them throughout the year. Have your first bouquet delivered on your anniversary and every month for the next six months to one year.
Brighten their space and their heart by sending them seasonally appropriate flowers that let them know you care.
Most florists or online floral delivery companies can take special requests to omit certain flowers or include any that are special. It’s a great gift that keeps on giving and providing joy for that special someone in your life.
Be sure to use a florist service that’s local to where your significant other is so that your flowers remain fresh.
19. Time Zone Clocks
Scheduling conversations and video chats can be a challenge when you need to calculate the time zone differences. This is especially tricky when you have a partner who frequently travels to various time zones for business.
A time zone clock is a great product that shows you the time in your location and then the time where your significant other is located.
You can purchase these for one another to help you determine when the other person is working or awake to help schedule conversations and interactions more effectively, and it is perfect for timing your long-distance anniversary dates or activities.
20. Plan a Relaxing Bath Together
An anniversary doesn’t have to have non-stop activities and excitement. Sometimes you might both be tired from a long day at work or juggling household chores and want to unwind together.
If planning an event or even watching a movie seems like a struggle, you can plan to video chat while you take a nice relaxing bubble bath.
It’s something you can both do and spend some precious time together even if you are really busy and need to go to bed early for the following day’s work or activities.
It will help you both sleep better at night, and a good night’s sleep is a great gift for anyone.
Plus, for more adventurous couples, taking a bath together could also be seen as foreplay.
21. Go Hiking
If you both love the outdoors and enjoy hiking, it could make for a great anniversary date. You can both choose locations to go hiking and video chat or phone one another while you are out enjoying the wilderness.
It’s a great way to spend the day together, even when you’re in different areas. Don’t forget to take plenty of photos and videos to share with one another to commemorate your adventure.
22. Work Lunch Date
If you need to work on your anniversary, but you want to squeeze in a lunch together, now you can. Talking on the phone or using a video app allows you to get some time together, even if your schedules are hectic.
I think it is the perfect idea to schedule a few interactions throughout the day if you’re both busy professionals who want to make time for one another on your anniversary.
If you can’t have lunch together at the same time, you can shoot a video of yourself while you eat your lunch and send it to them to watch when they have some free time. Use the time to update them on what’s happening in your work or personal life, just as you would at a regular lunch date.
It lets them feel like they are there with you even if they have time zone limitations or work.
23. Make a Playlist
It’s no secret that music can connect people and create meaningful memories. A simple and meaningful activity you can do together and enjoy making is a playlist for your partner.
Each of you can choose music that is especially meaningful, or that speaks to you. Create the list on one of the top music apps like Spotify and send the link to one another.
If you want to go the old-fashioned route, you can burn a CD or a dongle with a blend of music you love.
When you want to feel closer to the other person, or you’re thinking of them as you go throughout your day, you can play the music list they created just for you.
I think this is an excellent idea, not only for your anniversary but for any time you want to surprise them with something special.
24. Take a Tour
Do you both share an interest in certain locations or hobbies? If so, you can take a tour of a location that interests you both.
Turn on your video chat on a phone or mobile device and consider touring one or more of the following locations:
- an island.
- art galleries.
- historic homes.
- botanical gardens.
- sports museums.
- wildlife reserves, zoos, and aquariums.
- wineries in your area.
- amusement parks.
These locations are fun, educational, and exciting if you are interested in these locations. This is especially great if you live near something the other person is excited about seeing.
Make sure you schedule a time in advance so you can take the tour on your anniversary or within the week to help celebrate the last year of your relationship.
25. Cake and Sweets Delivery
Do you and your significant other enjoy sweets? What better time to indulge than your anniversary!
You can both order a sweet treat or a special cake from a top local bakery and have it delivered to them at their home or office.
If they don’t like cake, may I suggest choosing a specialty sweet treat from a bakery that has unique and delicious baked goods from other parts of the world? It’s something different and fun to enjoy at their leisure.
26. Have Their Apartment or Home Cleaned
This suggestion isn’t conventional, but if they are busy professionals or parents, they may really appreciate this thoughtful gift.
Today’s world is hectic, and if you have a long-distance relationship, you must take time to focus your attention on your partner when you can find the time. That means less available time to clean.
If they don’t already have a cleaning service, you can arrange for a leading local cleaning company to come over and get their place sparkling clean so they can relax and video chat or call you for your special day without having to deal with household chores and messes.
Drop an instruction to leave the table set for your digital dinner, and surprise them when they get home by having everything already done for your anniversary date.
27. Send Tickets to Their Favorite Sporting Event or Theatre Production
Even if you can’t be together on your anniversary, that doesn’t mean you both can’t have fun and enjoy the day.
If you want to be very thoughtful, you can send a pair of tickets to your significant other’s favorite sporting event or theatre production. A lot of sporting events are broadcast live, and you could join them from the comfort of your TV room or a sports bar to virtually watch the event with them.
They can also return the favor if you choose. They can bring their buddy and have a great time, compliments of a very thoughtful gift on your behalf.
Just make sure to set a time to chat and get all the details after their outing and perhaps have a virtual date later if you weren’t able to join them at the same time.
28. Send a Plane Ticket
If you can’t be together on your anniversary for one reason or another, that doesn’t mean you can’t be together later.
Discuss a time when they may be free. Then send them a round trip ticket to and from their current location, and begin planning a weekend (or longer) together.
It’s usually a good idea to make sure your tickets are refundable just in case something comes up, such as illness or unavoidable tasks such as work.
FAQs About the Best Long Distance Anniversary Ideas
A lot of people always ask me how my significant other and I seem to make it work so effortlessly. But here’s the thing: it takes a lot of commitment, effort, and thoughtfulness to maintain a long distance relationship.
Is it worth it? Yes, especially when celebrating our time together at anniversaries.
So here are some of my top Q&A tips to help you keep that spark alive.
How can I send the perfect gift without clueing the other person in and spoiling the surprise?
If you don’t want to spoil an anniversary gift surprise for your partner, you can get details about their likes and dislikes from your friends and family.
Just make sure to tell them to be subtle and not spoil the surprise. Most people are thrilled to help with anniversary surprises.
Is it better to send deliveries to my partner’s home or office?
If you can send a special delivery gift to their home, that is usually the best option.
However, if they live in a large city or an area where it might not be safe to deliver, then ask if it’s alright for them to receive a delivery at their work.
Not all companies have the same policies when it comes to getting gifts on the clock. If it’s a problem, I suggest having gifts delivered to a friend, family member, or neighbor. These helpful support allies will surely get your gift delivered!
What is the best length of time to give a subscription service?
If you want to give a subscription as a gift for your anniversary, either six months or one year is ideal.
However, if you are unsure about the products or the services themselves, you might have the option to go month by month to see if it’s something they really enjoy. Be sure to find out before you place your order.
What is appropriate video chat etiquette in public?
The best course of action is to use your best judgment. If you plan on participating in an activity or event that is traditionally done quietly like the cinema or a theatre production, you might want to skip the video chat.
However, if you plan to attend a festival, tour, or sporting event, you can easily video chat without offending others with your conversation.
If you’re in doubt, it’s best to call whoever runs or promotes the events and ask his is allowed to avoid any uncomfortable situations.
Is there any difference in the type of gifts for your wedding anniversary or dating anniversary?
Most would agree that the wedding anniversary may require a bit more thought and consideration than a dating anniversary. However, putting thought and attention into any anniversary gift shows how much you truly care.
If you are unsure about the type or cost of a gift, try to focus more on spending time together and creating personalized or handmade gifts instead.
What should I give my significant other if I’m unsure about their food preferences?
If you don’t know if your partner likes or dislikes certain foods or beverages, the best solution is to ask friends or family. They can usually provide some insight into personal tastes, food allergies, and more.
If you’re still unsure, make certain the gift has a few variations for them to choose from when they get it. If they dislike one thing, they may like others.
This strategy pertains to food delivery, gift baskets, and anything edible you buy for your anniversary. If you are unsure about the food in general, perhaps you can choose another gift without edible contents, or send a gift voucher for them to make their own choices.
