After we got married, I learned that many couples follow a certain theme when it comes to anniversary gifts, with the first year anniversary gift being a paper gift.
I stuck with the theme and gave Ryan framed images of maps of the places where we met, got engaged and got married and embroidered a special symbol on each map.
This project wasn’t incredibly crafty, so if you’re otherwise intimidated by crafty projects, this is a great one to tackle. The hardest part was the embroidery which I just sort of figured out how to do as I went along, but that doesn’t have to look perfect to still be cute!
I got the idea for this gift from this image that I saw on Pinterest:
(Source)
I didn’t want to do “we met, we married, we live” since Ryan and I are renting our current home and aren’t exactly sure where we’ll be setting up camp for the long haul, so I added “engaged” and took out “live.”
I also used three-dimensional metal stickers for the words rather than words printed on stickers.
I got the idea to embroider symbols on the maps from DIY Theory.
I used red thread to embroider a heart, diamond ring and two intertwined wedding bands.
Met: University of Central Florida
Engaged: Baldwin Park/Winter Park, Florida
Married: St. Petersburg, Florida
Since I am writing this post on Friday and setting it to publish on our anniversary on Sunday, I can’t tell you whether or not it was a hit with Ryan just yet, but I really hope he likes it!
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Cute 🙂 Happy Anniversary.
Happy Anniversary! That’s an incredibly cute gift idea. Maybe I should join pinterest just to get anniversary ideas, it’s the one “holiday” I never know what to do/get!
That’s a fantastic idea!! LOVE IT! And might do it.
Happy anniversary!!! 😀
What a sweet idea. I love it.
This is so adorable. What a cute picture to hang in the house, love it!
I rarely ever comment, but I love this so much, that I just had to say so. I hope he loves it!
Happy Anniversary! I love that gift. Personal, homemade gifts are a million more times special than store-bought.
Happy Anniversary! Wow this is a great time, you must be remembering all the good moments and enjoying it all. Have a good time with Ryan!
i just want pinteresting and found this http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/2011/08/genius-wedding-idea-photos-before.html ….i swore it was you, only to see at the bottom (Photo by Gina Leigh, via PBFingers) 🙂 too cute!
I absolutely lOVE this idea!
i love this! i have it pinned on pinterest too! it’s such a great idea!!!
I LOVE that gift idea! I pinned that on Pinterest too, awhile ago, but I really like your version! I’m sure he loves it 🙂
Very cute! I want to do something like that, too.
OKay that is seriously cool! I LOVE it. Perfect. Happy 1st wedding anniversary!
What a great idea! Happy anniversary and let your 2nd year be even more blessed!
PS got any “leather” ideas for the coming up 3rd anniversary? I’m stumped besides something lame like a belt…
I actually saw a picture of you on pinterest today! From your wedding haha. Idk if this link will work but here it is- http://pinterest.com/pin/411797891/
Adorable idea! I hope you don’t mind that I am probably going to be copying that!
Aww that is such a neat idea!!! I love that it’s something that can be enjoyed forever 🙂
what a simple, but fun idea!! It almost looks like it’s something ultra top-secret work because of the maps. 😛 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY GUYS~~
This is a super cute idea!
I saw this on pinterest and thought the idea was great! can’t imagine he wouldn’t like it 🙂
Happy anniversary Julie and Ryan!
I love that idea. It is so thoughtful! I’m sure he loved it. 🙂
I love this idea! I might just have to steal this once August 6, 2012 rolls around!
This is such a cute, thoughtful gift. Effort means so much more than just spending a lot of money.
hahahahaha, I just told my husband about your gift because I thought it was so sweet and his reply (j/k of course) was: “Paper? Money is paper. I’d just give you 20 bucks and tell you to go buy something nice.” He then told I should comment on your post saying that to give Ryan ideas.
I know it’s a hit with Ryan! This is a fabulous idea…I may steal it!
Pinterest has such great ideas that I would never in a million years think of. That is a very nice 1st anniversery gift.
I was totally inspired by this post 🙂 My 5 year anniversary is coming up and I found out that we’re suppossed to do wooden gifts for the 5th anniversary. I’m going to try to think of something awesomely wooden to give my hubby.
Our 5 year anniversary is coming up, and just like you I’m looking for a fun wood theme gift to give my hubby. Which I just might do THIS!! After all, the maps are paper, but the FRAME is wood (or at least you can make it a wooden one)
I loooove that idea!! Great idea =DD
This is such a cute idea & I can’t imagine him not loving it! I especially like the metal letters for the wording 🙂
ah! we have the same anniversary and i made one of these, too, but with 4 squares instead! love the embroidery idea – so cute. happy anniversary!
Happy Anniversary!! I got engaged yesterday, I’m soooo excited and now I need to check your wedding related posts again! 😉
It is gorgeous, what a great idea! I hope he LOVED it!
Stealing this!
I love it! Such a super cute, super sweet idea!!
Hi! 🙂
I loved this idea for a first anniversary frame! Where did you get the lovely 3d stickers from? and do you by any chance remember the name of the brand? Thanks! <3 your blog! 🙂
This is amazing. I think I might make one for my brother and his bride-to-be as part of their wedding gift!
I just saw this post from your V-Day gifts round-up posting and wanted to let you know how AWESOME it is! Absolutely love it 🙂 So sweet!
I can’t wait to make this for my husband!! Our 2 year anniversary is coming up August 17th. Thank you!!
What a sweet idea, may I ask where you got the three-dimensional metal stickers from ?
I love this! where did you find those letters? I’ve been googling them for over an hour and can’t find anything even remotely like them
Hi Julie !
Just wanted to say we suggested your great idea in a list of cool Valentine’s Day Gifts here:
http://www.poundaccess.co.uk/blog/get-valentines-day-gifts-for-your-girlfriend-without-going-broke/
Have a nice Valentines Day!
David