Originally posted by Jay-X
how much would you spend for a ring to celebrate your 1st anniversary of being steady?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I would instead create an emotionally laden event.
Ideas: A picnic at night. Find an unusual place (a roof-top, a forest setting, a clean but totally empty building). Set up an elegant table with long white cloth, candles (tonnes, and tonnes of candles arranged in patterns--you can buy 100 tea candles for $2.00)
Make a "path" with the candles, set up a "dance floor" with them.
Crystal champagne flutes, some champagne and excellent food (but not too much). Don't forget the mood music! Soft, romantic, sensuous.
Dress up in as close to a tuxedo as you can have. Act formal, romantic, alpha. Stare deeply into her eyes.
Make sure that you have a couple other activities to accompany it. If you can afford it, hire a violinist, or guitar player with a good repertoire of soft music. At least one hours worth as you eat. Have him stand about 15-20 feet away, and gently play.
After the meal where you totally focus on building her emotions, have had a drink or so, dance closely and slowly.
Then take her to a couple other "romantic" venues for no more than an hour, then take her home to your beautifully set up place.
The point is this: Don't waste your time buying her stuff. Do something that you will enjoy, and create a strongly emotional experience for her. Much better than buying a piece of hardware.