Anniversary 101

A guide for men to make the night extra special.

THE FIRST TIME WE... This anniversary, take your sweetie back to where you two began. Return to the place you met, recreate your first date, or do dinner and dancing to summon up where you spent your honeymoon.

SHOE NIGHT. You know she loves them, you know you'd rather clean the gutters than set foot in a woman's shoe store. So shock her socks off. Build a night around her quest for the perfect pair: a little shopping, dinner for two. Bet she lets you unstrap them later.

Forgot Your Birthday Party

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE. Missed your best friend's birthday? Climb out of the doghouse with a party full of their favorite things. You may have forgotten their birthday, but you didn't forget about them! Complete the theme with their favorite foods, games and drinks!

Game Night

NEVER GROW UP. Make your favorite childhood board game the theme for decorations. Offer a "Kids Menu" for food and drinks with chicken fingers and grilled cheese, then roll the dice until you're ready to put it away for another 10 years.

UP THE ANTE. You're a grown-up now, so it's okay to add some spice to that old board game with a friendly wager. No, not the kids' braces money. A chip that says "IOU One Clean Bathroom" is enough to make anyone sweat.

Make your guests all feel like winners! Prepare goody bags that bring your guests back to their childhood.

Grade School Prom or Graduation.

Show that 1st Grader that each rung on the ladder is important.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFESSIONAL NIGHT. Invite other parents over, have kids put their bad behavior down on paper and in a hat. Pull out the envelopes and read the behavior out loud. Parents try to guess which behavior belongs to which kid. Allows parents to commiserate together before the Parent-Teacher Conference.

Cinco de My House

CINCO DE WHATEVER. Celebrate the 5th of any month down Mexico way. Ever make your own fresh tortillas? It's easier than it looks, it works with all kinds of easy recipes, and your friends will suddenly announce they're moving to Oaxaca.