Celebrating love is important, but an anniversary celebration during a pandemic comes with unique challenges.
Anniversaries are supposed to be special, a chance to step away from the routine and celebrate your love. But when the world turned upside down during the pandemic, so did many couples’ plans.
I remember my cousin, Lisa, who had been dreaming of an anniversary trip to Italy with her husband. They had it all planned out, the gondola rides in Venice, pasta-making classes in Florence, and a vow renewal overlooking the Amalfi Coast. Then, lockdowns hit, and their plans crumbled overnight.
At first, she was heartbroken. But instead of letting the disappointment take over, they got creative.
They brought Italy home, cooked homemade pasta, sipped wine while watching travel documentaries, and even recreated a little “Trevi Fountain” moment by tossing coins into their backyard pool, making wishes for the future.
Lisa told me it wasn’t the trip they imagined, but in some ways, it was even better, it was intimate, personal, and completely their own.
That’s the thing about love, it doesn’t need grand destinations or elaborate plans. It just needs two people willing to make the most of whatever life throws their way.
If you’re wondering how to celebrate your anniversary when travel is limited, restaurants are closed, or you just want to keep things simple, here are 20 ways to make your anniversary feel just as magical, even in the middle of a pandemic.
20 WAYS TO CELEBRATE YOUR ANNIVERSARY DURING A PANDEMIC
1. Recreate Your First Date at Home
There’s something magical about reliving the moment that started it all. Your first date carries memories of excitement, butterflies, and laughter the foundation of your love story. During a pandemic, you can revive those feelings without stepping outside your home. It’s nostalgic, intimate, and a beautiful reminder of how far you’ve come.
What made your first date special? Was it the food, the ambiance, or the conversations? Bringing those elements back, with a little creativity, will turn your anniversary into a walk down memory lane.
How to Execute:
- Dress up in outfits inspired by your first date.
- Cook or order the same meal you shared on your first date. If it was a restaurant dish, look up copycat recipes and have fun cooking together.
- Set the mood with the same music or movie from that night. Search for playlists from the year you started dating.
- End the night by sharing your favorite memories from that date and how your relationship has evolved since then.
2. Host a Private Movie Night
Movie nights are classic, but adding a personal twist transforms them into a unique anniversary experience. Watching your favorite films or romantic classics with snacks and cozy blankets is comforting, but let’s take it a step further.
Pick films that mean something to you maybe the first movie you watched together or something you bonded over. You can even theme the night, such as “Rom-Com Marathon” or “Movies from the Year We Met.”
How to Execute:
- Create a cozy setup with blankets, pillows, and fairy lights.
- Build a DIY snack bar with popcorn, nachos, and your favorite drinks.
- Make custom tickets with the movie titles and “Admit One” for a fun touch.
- Watch a movie from each year you’ve been together, sharing memories from those times.
- Record short video messages for each other before the movie and play them after the credits.
3. Cook a Gourmet Dinner Together with a Surprise Menu
Cooking together is romantic and rewarding, and it becomes even more exciting with an element of surprise. Instead of planning the meal together, make it a challenge where each of you is responsible for one part of the meal appetizer, entrée, or dessert without revealing your choices until it’s time to cook. This idea adds a playful twist and makes your Anniversary Celebration During A Pandemic truly interactive.
How to Execute:
- Decide who will make which course. Keep your ingredients and dish a secret.
- Set a time limit, such as 45 minutes for each course.
- Play romantic music and sip wine while cooking.
- Present your dishes and rate them on taste, creativity, and presentation.
- Finish the evening by cooking a dessert together, such as chocolate-covered strawberries or a molten lava cake.
4. Plan a Memory Lane Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt adds fun and sentimentality to your anniversary by celebrating your memories together. The hunt can take place entirely at home, with each clue leading to a spot that holds meaning for your relationship. Every clue should highlight a special moment from your first vacation to your favorite shared hobby.
How to Execute:
- Write 5–7 clues, each referencing a memory (e.g., “Where we laughed until we cried during movie night”).
- Hide small surprises at each stop (notes, photos, or chocolates).
- Record short voice messages with the clues and play them from your phone.
- End the hunt with a handwritten love letter or a special gift.
- Optionally, capture the entire experience on video to relive the memories later.
5. Exchange “Open When” Letters
Open When” letters are deeply personal and a heartfelt way to celebrate your love. Unlike a traditional card, these letters provide ongoing joy, as your partner can open them during different life moments. It’s a gift that lasts long beyond your Anniversary Celebration During A Pandemic, reminding your partner of your love whenever they need it most.
How to Execute:
- Buy beautiful stationery or decorate envelopes together.
- Write different letters such as:
- “Open when you miss me.”
- “Open when you need encouragement.”
- “Open on our next fight (because I love you even then).”
- Seal each envelope and store them in a keepsake box.
- Exchange the letters during a candlelit dinner.
6. Take a Virtual Trip Together
While travel may be limited, you can still experience the joy of exploring a new destination virtually. If you dream of visiting Paris, Tokyo, or Santorini, you can bring the culture, cuisine, and beauty of your dream destination into your home. This idea allows you to break the routine and make your Anniversary Celebration Idea During A Pandemic feel adventurous.
How to Execute:
- Pick a destination and plan your itinerary (e.g., virtual tours, food, music).
- Cook or order cuisine from that country like sushi for Japan or pasta for Italy.
- Dress up to match the theme (e.g., French berets for Paris night).
- Play travel documentaries or virtual tours on YouTube.
- Finish with a dance to music from that country.
7. Have a Karaoke Night with Your Relationship Playlist
Karaoke is fun, intimate, and full of laughter. But when it’s your anniversary, the playlist should tell your love story—songs from your wedding, road trips, and late-night dance parties. It’s a chance to be silly together while celebrating the soundtrack of your relationship. Plus, it’s perfect for an Anniversary Celebration During A Pandemic because it brings joy and energy to your home.
How to Execute:
- Create a playlist of songs that have meaning to your relationship.
- Use a karaoke app or YouTube for lyrics.
- Dress like rock stars or pop icons to make it fun.
- Record your duets and post them to your private album.
- End the night by slow dancing to your wedding song.
8. Camp Out in Your Living Room Under Fairy Lights
A cozy indoor camp-out is romantic, nostalgic, and perfect for an intimate celebration. Imagine building a fort with pillows, sipping hot cocoa, and sharing stories under the glow of fairy lights. It brings back childhood joy while making new memories with your partner.
How to Execute:
- Build a fort with blankets and cushions.
- Hang fairy lights or use a starry sky projector.
- Prepare campfire snacks s’mores, hot chocolate, and marshmallows.
- Share funny or romantic stories from your relationship.
- Fall asleep under your homemade “stars.”
9. Plan a Time Capsule Activity
A time capsule is a unique way to preserve your anniversary memories for the future. It’s not just a box of objects, it’s a snapshot of your relationship at this moment. This idea becomes even more meaningful during a pandemic because it captures how you celebrated love during challenging times.
How to Execute:
- Find a durable container for your time capsule.
- Include items such as:
- Love letters to your future selves
- Photos from this anniversary
- Small souvenirs from your relationship
- A list of your favorite movies, songs, and inside jokes
- Seal the container and decide on an opening date (e.g., your 5th or 10th anniversary).
- Store it somewhere safe or bury it in your backyard.
10. Hire a Private Virtual Performer
Make your anniversary unforgettable with a private virtual performance, like a live serenade, poetry reading, or comedy show. Artists worldwide offer personalized virtual experiences, making this an exclusive and memorable celebration. This idea combines creativity and luxury, giving you a front-row seat to a performance tailored just for you.
How to Execute:
- Search platforms like Cameo or Airbnb Experiences for virtual performers.
- Choose something that fits your vibe romantic, fun, or artistic.
- Schedule a time and surprise your partner with the performance.
- Record the session to keep as a memory.
- End the night with your favorite songs from the performance and a celebratory toast.
11. Create a Couples’ Bucket List and Start Ticking It Off
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An anniversary is a perfect time to dream together. Creating a couples’ bucket list allows you to bond over shared goals, desires, and adventures. While a pandemic may limit travel or outings, it’s the perfect opportunity to plan future experiences and start ticking off the ones you can do at home.
Anniversary Celebration During A Pandemic can become a moment to design your dream life together—from small joys like learning a new dance to big milestones like traveling to your dream destination.
How to Execute:
- Sit together with a journal and write down 20 bucket list items.
- Organize them into categories: Travel, Food Experiences, Relationship Milestones, and Skills.
- Choose at least one item you can start immediately (e.g., learning a TikTok dance or trying a new cuisine).
- Add dates to some of your goals to keep them actionable.
- Frame your list or create a vision board to hang in your room.
12. Build a Scrapbook of Your Relationship Journey
A scrapbook is more than photos, it’s a visual diary of your love story. From your first photo together to ticket stubs from special dates, every page tells a chapter of your journey. Anniversary Celebration During A Pandemic becomes a meaningful experience as you walk through cherished memories together.
How to Execute:
- Gather mementos: photos, old letters, and souvenirs.
- Use a blank scrapbook or DIY it with craft paper.
- Write short captions sharing memories for each photo.
- Add fun elements like stickers, washi tape, or pressed flowers.
- Dedicate the last page to writing down your dreams for the future.
13. Plan a Virtual Party with Friends and Family
Even if you can’t physically gather, a virtual party can bring loved ones together. Celebrate your love with games, music, and heartfelt toasts. An Anniversary Celebration During A Pandemic doesn’t mean celebrating alone it means celebrating creatively.
How to Execute:
- Send digital invitations with a theme (e.g., “All-White Party” or “Throwback Night”).
- Prepare a playlist of your favorite songs and share it with everyone.
- Host games like trivia about your relationship or a “Best Wedding Memory” contest.
- End the night with a virtual champagne toast.
- Save the recording of the event as a keepsake.
14. Have a Sunrise or Sunset Date
A sunrise or sunset date is intimate and symbolic the start or close of another beautiful year together. With nature as your backdrop, your Anniversary Celebration During A Pandemic becomes simple yet profound.
How to Execute:
- If you’re early risers, head to your balcony or a safe outdoor space for sunrise.
- Bring coffee, tea, and pastries for a sunrise breakfast.
- If you prefer sunset, pack a picnic basket with wine and snacks.
- Play your favorite soft tunes as you soak in the view.
- Capture the moment with a photo and frame it as an anniversary memory.
15. Write Each Other a Heartfelt Poem or Song
Poetry and music have long been the language of love. Instead of buying gifts, express your feelings through words. During an Anniversary Celebration During A Pandemic, heartfelt creations become treasured gifts because they come from the heart.
How to Execute:
- Choose a theme for your poem or song: “What You Mean to Me” or “Our Journey Together.”
- Don’t worry about rhyme or structure focus on feelings.
- For a song, choose a melody and hum along.
- Present your creation during dinner or in a cozy setup with candles.
- Frame the poem or record the song as a keepsake.
16. Have a Digital Detox and Connect Deeply
In a world filled with screens, true connection often gets lost. A digital detox allows you to fully immerse in each other’s presence, making your anniversary celebration during a pandemic deeply personal and memorable.
How to Execute:
- Set a “no phones, no laptops” rule for the entire day.
- Plan offline activities like reading a book together or playing board games.
- Enjoy extended conversations with candlelight and wine.
- End the night by writing down what you love most about each other.
17. Take an Online Class Together
Learning something new together can reignite excitement in your relationship. From cooking to painting, an online class adds fun and creativity to your anniversary celebration during a pandemic, giving you a new skill to bond over.
How to Execute:
- Pick a class that interests you both (Airbnb Experiences or MasterClass are great options).
- Gather all the supplies needed before your anniversary.
- Participate together and enjoy the process rather than aiming for perfection.
- Celebrate your new skill by showcasing your creations cook the meal or display your paintings.
- End the night by planning what you’d love to learn next year.
18. Create a Home Spa Experience
A spa day brings relaxation and luxury to your anniversary. Even though spas might be closed during a pandemic, you can recreate the experience at home, turning your space into a sanctuary for two. This makes your Anniversary Celebration During A Pandemic feel indulgent and intimate.
How to Execute:
- Set up a relaxing atmosphere with candles and soft music.
- Prepare DIY spa treatments such as face masks, sugar scrubs, and bath bombs.
- Take turns giving each other massages with essential oils.
- Enjoy a bubble bath together with champagne or wine.
- Finish with matching bathrobes and a romantic movie night.
19. Revisit Your Wedding Vows or Make New Ones
Anniversaries are a time to reflect on promises made and dreams fulfilled. Re-reading or renewing your vows during your Anniversary Celebration During A Pandemic adds deep emotion to your day. You can also write new vows that capture your journey so far.
How to Execute:
- Find your wedding vows or write new ones.
- Exchange them during a private candlelit ceremony at home.
- Record the moment as a video keepsake.
- Frame your new vows and place them in your bedroom.
20. Plan a Stargazing Night with a Wish List
Stargazing adds wonder and intimacy to your anniversary. Under the vast sky, you’re reminded of how infinite your love can be. Anniversary Ideas During A Pandemic under the stars is serene, romantic, and unforgettable.
How to Execute:
- Lay a blanket in your backyard or balcony.
- Bring pillows, snacks, and a bottle of wine.
- Use a stargazing app to identify constellations.
- Share dreams you wish to achieve together short-term and long-term.
- Seal the night with a heartfelt toast and a slow dance under the stars.
Celebrating your anniversary during a pandemic may come with limitations, but it also opens the door to creative, meaningful experiences.
Each idea offers a chance to deepen your connection, create new memories, and cherish your time together. With a bit of thought and love, you can make your anniversary celebration during a pandemic unforgettable.
Let your celebration be a reflection of your unique bond, filled with laughter, warmth, and joy.
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