This June I celebrate my 10th wedding anniversary to Mr. hopefool. Unfortunately, due to problems with his ex-wife, we’re facing some serious financial difficulties. Anyway, since this is supposed to be the big “To Do!” year, Mr. hopefool is extremely bummed that we don’t have any money to do something befitting the occasion. I’ve tried telling him that as long as we’re together, that I’ll be happy. That even a picnic, or something equally frugal, would be just great. Sadly, he’s not buying it.
So, anyone have any ideas?
I’ve looked all around the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, but my usual thoughts (museums, the zoo, the West End, a Rangers game, Six Flags or Wet ‘n’ Wild, et al) are falling on deaf ears as not grandiose enough. Sigh. Therefore, what I’m looking for is something that seems fancy but costs little. Anything really creative (I’m willing to put lots of time and energy into this to make it special for him) would be right up my alley.
Perhaps a scavenger hunt of some sort? I dunno, but I’m willing to give it all some serious consideration.
Thanks in advance.
Maybe you could renew your vows with just a couple close friends/family and then go out to dinner. He sounds like a romantic type.
Parties are fun, and it really only takes another couple of friends or relatives to help celebrate. They can be counted on to let you get by with hotdogs at a public park grill.
Kalhoun, you see, that’s what we were planning on doing before our latest monetary debacle… having our vows renewed. You know, kind of going all out, with me buying a second-hand dress off of eBay and making our invitations. However, he wants to save that now for our fifteenth when we’ll have more dollars to put towards it. And yes, he’s quite the romantic. 
As far as a party is concerned, Concensus, you almost nailed our wedding to begin with. We got married on a softball field, at home plate, in between games. Needless to say, our friends DID let us get by with potluck. Thank God. Unfortunately though for the moment, he doesn’t want anything even remotely similar, but something spectacular instead.
You all see my dilemma?
Champagne taste here on a beer budget. 
I agree with Mr Hopefool’s idea of waiting on the renewal. If you wouldn’t be able to do it to both of your satisfaction on the money you have, it might feel as though something were missing, and then what do you do? Plan another renewal for a few years later, etc? It sounds like he really wants this to be great, perhaps in part because he has ex-wife problems and wants the difference between the two acknowledged somehow.
OK, but my armchair analysis isn’t answering the OP, is it…the idea of a scavenger hunt is fun, but how about upping the romance and somehow tying the clues in to your history together—i.e., look for this object at the place where we had out first date, etc. (Whatever practically fits) That way you have some fun AND a way of looking back over your years together. Or, a picnic at home with a slide show of events from your time together?
These are just some ideas, don’t know if they seem even remotely close to what you want?
Also, do you have little money or NO money for this event. That might help narrow the suggestions down.
lorene~ I’m about to be off to work, but just wanted to answer your reply. I do think waiting on the renewal a couple of years is the way to go. Also, I think your idea about tying in our romance to my scavenger hunt may be just the ticket. I undoubtedly have tons of memories to work off of. 
And about the money… we do have some. Just not very much, like he’d prefer. So there’s a little leeway. Hope that helps.
Hey! This June I celebrate my tenth with Pepper Mill! Small world.
I’ve always been a stickler for getting the “correct” traditional materials gifts. For our first anniversary (paper) I made an origami bride and groom and put them in a box. For the Iron anniversary I got her iron earrings (beautiful, but heavy). For Leather I got her a bag.
The traditional Tenth anniversary gift is Tin. I won’t tell you exactly what I got her, in case she looks in. Fortuinately, I drive by Sturbridge Village fairly often, and they have a tinsmith and a tin shop. There’s lots of Early Americana I can pick up.
Oh, I’m so glad my sugestion seemed worthwhile! The fact that you do have a little money gives you some room to be creative with the clues, etc. I was also thinking that you could have a picnic or special dinner that had the same type of theme (i.e., have a certain food because it reminds you of a time you went on vacation somewhere, etc).
I’m a pretty sentimental person and would love it if my SO ever constructed an anniversary like that. I’m also a big sucker for a picnic—especially an indoor one which could lead to other indoor games
Please pardon the suggestive comments, but sex sure doesn’t cost a lot and it’s always a great way to celebrate.
Definitely do the picnic. Have chilled Champagne and all sorts of (small) tasty goodies that you hand feed each other. Then check into a hot tub spa near you where you can rent a tub room by the hour. Several rounds in the tub and sauna will have you ready for an evening of relaxing lovemaking by candle light.
Play “Easter egg hunt” using a map or riddles. Have ‘special’ items like a lace teddy, edible briefs, flavored massage oils and aerosol whipping cream hidden all around. Use your imagination and get extremely kinky, if that’s your bent (as it were). Fill a pastry bag with frosting to ‘decorate’ each other with (always with the food ideas!) prior to a good licking off.
I’m sure you can come up with something sufficiently entertaining.
Also, write each other a love letter or poem for the special day.
Don’t get so caught up in planning the event that you miss the event.
We recently celebrated our 20th. Well, celebrated is not the right word. We went to eat, the restaurant sucked, I was sick, it was raining, the kids were with us…feh.
Re-create your first date. Meet (by accident) at the place you actually met, pretend it’s the first time all over again.