Top 10 Romantic Anniversary Ideas

It can be hard to think up new romantic anniversary ideas. But believe me, its worth making the change from the usual "dinner and a movie" routine..

An anniversary is the best opportunity of the year to show your partner how much they mean to you.

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Here are some great romantic anniversary ideas to keep you from getting stuck in a romance rut. Or maybe even help rekindle an old flame.

1. Take them out for a romantic nighttime picnic. Find a spot that overlooks an amazing view, like a natural lake or cityscape, or the top of a tall hill. Create a beautiful backdrop with the view you choose.

Pack your picnic full of goodies that you know your partner loves. Like wine, chocolate covered strawberries, hot chocolate, cookies, a salad or some homemade sandwiches.

2. Make them a home cooked candlelight dinner. Try these tips to make it extra special:

* Enhance the mood by playing romantic songs in the background

* Dim the lights and have candles create a romantic glow

* Fill the room with their favorite type of flowers

* Scatter rose petals on the dinner table

3. Bring back fond memories by taking your partner back to the place that you had your first date. Recreate it. Make everything that you do the exact same as that special night. Recreate all of the tiniest little details, such as music you listened to, places you went, the car you drove, etc.

Pay close attention to all the small details. The more thought your partner will know you put into it.

4. Secretly take your partner on a surprise romantic weekend getaway.
To make it a surprise, make it seem like you're taking them on a usual day trip that's not very exciting. Then take them to the airport and surprise them with the tickets to the romantic destination of their dreams.
To make it all run smooth, you can pre-pack their things, and arrange for them to have time off at work.

5. Gather up all of the old pictures ever taken of the two of you and make a romantic photo album or scrapbook. This gift is very thoughtful, and can be done by you alone, or you can spend an evening making it together. When you're done, the album should be full of special memories the two of you can cherish forever.

6. Take your partner to the neighborhood that they grew up in. Let them see their old home, where they went to school, and any other places they have mentioned over the years. This should bring back a flood of precious memories for them that they can share with you.

7. Show up at their work with an oversized box of chocolates and flowers. Do it right in front of everyone so they will all see. But only do it if they will like the special attention. Don't do it if they are the type of person that will get embarrassed.

8. Create a romantic bedroom makeover. Its probably something your partner will never expect.

Use soft and silky fabrics, rose petals, scented candles, romantic music, and top it all off with an intimate sensual massage.

9. Go for a romantic photo shoot together. This will give you sensual and romantic photos that will last a lifetime! (A common favorite are black and white photos).
You can make them as sexy, or romantic as you like.

There are lots of photographers to choose from. So search around until you find one that suites what you're looking for.

10. Print some free romantic love coupons to give to your partner. They're fun and flirty, and you can find them for free (see the website below). Or you can purchase them at any love store. Not only are they thoughtful, but you can customize them and choose to print off whichever romantic gestures you like.

I hope these romantic anniversary ideas have helped you find the best way for you to show your love. No matter what you choose to do, or how you do it. If you do it for them you can't go wrong!

Top 10 Romantic Anniversary Ideas

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Crafting the Romantic Comedy

Faking an orgasm in public and arriving at a 'fancy dress' party as a bunny girl, are just two memorable scenes from romantic comedies that surprise and entertain. Can you remember which movies those unforgettable scenes come from? Answer at the end of this article.

If you are a writer who enjoys films such as: You've Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally, Bridget Jones's Diary, Love Actually, [amongst many others], and wish to try your hand at writing the good old rom com, then you're already half way home.

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** So what elements does the romantic comedy need?

When we read or watch a romantic comedy we know that our hero and heroine's worlds are about to collide, suffusing conflict along the way and finally allowing the pair to get it together at the end, realizing that they complete one another.

The most important thing to remember about a rom com is it's all about the journey. In a romantic comedy, we don't usually have a list of suspects and then have to decide who the murderer is. Rather, it's the journey the hero and heroine have to take that's crucial. There should be conflict along the way, that's a given, but there should be some laughs as well. By this, I don't mean that every page has to be rip-roaringly funny. It might just be something that makes the reader smile, a comic image perhaps.

** Don't turn all your characters into caricatures!

There is a danger when writing the romantic comedy to want to make all your characters funny! Don't. Think about it, when you watch a comedy show or movie, how many of the cast are actually playing for laughs? Not all of them, you can bet. Don't forget the straight guys.

There's also a tendency to turn funny characters into caricatures by stereotyping them. For example, in Britain there's a standing joke about the German on holiday in Spain, who gets up early to leave his towel on the sun bed to stake his claim! Or the Irishman who keeps saying things like: "Top of the morning!" or "Begorrah!" Not very true to life!

** Draw from real life

Sometimes I'll include funny things that have happened to me in real life. For example, in one of my books the heroine and her friend go out nightclubbing. The friend, on leaving the club, looks up at the sky and thinks she sees a square moon. This really happened to one of my inebriated friends. It turned out to be the neon sign on the top of a very large crane!

** Using real life characters

I have a confession to make, I draw some of my characters from real life as well. These usually end up being secondary characters. For example, in one of my romance novels, Fran Santini's father is a restaurant owner. A couple of years ago, I visited an Italian restaurant in Cardiff [I won't tell you which one it is] and the owner was such a character he inspired me to invent 'Ronaldo Santini'. As soon as my mother and I entered the restaurant, he greeted us. "Beautiful Ladies. Please sit here." He was so charming we ended up ordering a bottle of wine, staying for a full three course lunch and paying much more than we would normally do at a restaurant! I haven't been there since. It will be somewhere I'll go in future for a treat.

* * Inner Conflict

To up the ante, your protagonists need to have an inner conflict as well as external conflict that the story's romantic relationship confronts and ultimately resolves.

You'll probably gather by now that I eat out. A lot. I was inspired to invent 'The Usherwood Sisters' after seeing two elderly sisters who eat out every Saturday at the same restaurant in my hometown. They always appear to eat the same meal and finish it off with a coffee. I gave them some thought and guessed they were the sort of people who didn't like having their routines upset!

The main prerequisites for writing the romantic comedy are: having a sense of humour and drawing on everyday humorous incidents, the rest is down to good writing skills.

Answer from start of article: The scene at the deli in When Harry Met Sally and Bridget Jones's Diary [when Bridget turns up at a party finding out it is not fancy dress after all.]

Crafting the Romantic Comedy

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Romantic Spots In Georgia

In our fast paced world, romance can get edged out by the daily rush of life. Romantic destinations in Georgia offer a chance to recapture that spark that started long ago.

Romantic Spots In Georgia

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Georgia is known as the "Peach State", but another good nickname for it might be the "Romance State". While Georgia may not be what you think of when you are planning that honeymoon or special anniversary trip, romantic spots in Georgia can be wonderful and special. Georgia has a romance and charm that is uniquely Southern, and staying here with someone you love will be an experience you won't soon forget.

The charm and beauty of a Southern plantation cannot be underestimated. A stay at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation will make all your dreams of romance come true. This resort, located 60 minutes from Atlanta in Greensboro, Georgia, is both a spa and golf resort (81 holes available for play) with service and style to make any couple fall more in love. Weddings are frequently held here because of the exquisite grounds, and the restaurants and other eateries are known to be delicious. Honeymoon and romance packages are available for those in the mood to be alone. Private verandahs and other amenities like a private beach draw many couples to this spot.

Of course, there are other places for romantic spots in Georgia. If you would prefer to feel like you are on an old French estate instead of a plantation, the Chateau Elan can definitely suit your needs. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this winery and resort combination feels more like you are in the south of France than in the South. A spa is also on the premises for those who want to truly relax, and there are romantic packages planned out just for you. The two night Chateau Romantic Retreat, for instance, offers amenities such as a rose petal covered bed, breakfasts, dinners, and a bottle of the wineries own vintage delivered to your room. Also available are other bed and breakfast packages and spa treatments that can bring you and your loved one even closer together.

Georgia's many resorts and romantic retreats are as diverse as the people and terrain in the state. If you enjoy great food, great atmosphere and Southern hospitality, romantic spots in Georgia provide you with a stay that fits the bill. Whether in a city or small town, on the beach or in the mountains, a trip to Georgia will bring out the romance in any couple. Try a Georgia destination for your next vacation for two!

Romantic Spots In Georgia

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