Even though ‘13’ is considered an unlucky number, there’s nothing unlucky about hitting 13 years with your partner. It takes work and dedication to be in a relationship that’s lasted that long, so why would anyone not celebrate it?

People are known for celebrating all sorts of anniversaries including one week, one month, one hundred days, and of course one year. But after a while, all the excitement that comes with the next yearly anniversary starts to die down.

As relationships go on, the people in them get more comfortable. And that’s not a bad thing at all, but once you’ve gotten to that stage, it can be easy to forget or to overlook small ways to celebrate each other and the relationship as a whole.

By the time someone’s gotten to 13 years with another, it seems like people end up sticking to what works. Anniversaries and similar celebrations just end up seeming routine or even habitual.

And sometimes people think, “what’s the big deal? We’ve been together over _____ years, we’ll be together for another _____.” People say these kinds of things after 3 years, 5 years, and even 20 years, but just because the relationship has become such a constant and stable situation, it doesn’t mean that there’s any less to celebrate.

So if you’ve hit the big 13, you shouldn’t be complacent with something traditional like going to a fancy dinner or even just staying in and enjoying each other’s company. While there’s nothing wrong with that, they are things that you don’t really need an anniversary to justify.

If you’ve made it all the way to 13 years, you should treat yourself to something special and new. So even if you and your partner absolutely love the restaurant you go to every year, why not add something new into the mix?

An anniversary should be more than just flowers and dinner. It should be something truly exciting and enjoyable for both parties. Though dinner is great, and flowers are beautiful, anniversaries are about showing your appreciation for one another and celebrating another successful year – the wonderful memories you’ve made and the obstacles you’ve overcome.

Flowers and dinner just don’t capture all that should be said on an anniversary. If you’re celebrating all the memories and the time you’ve spent together, it only seems fitting to get your partner something that will really capture the importance of these memories and something that tells them that after all these years, you still care.

So, no, you shouldn’t stick to tradition.

Another part of being in a relationship is growth – not just growing as individuals but growing together. And doing something new and non-traditional can help push your relationship to grow and evolve as time goes on.

But if you’re not going to stick to tradition, what else can you do for your 13th anniversary? If you didn’t already know, lace is the most traditional 13th anniversary gift, but there are a lot of gifts that can be more meaningful. Here are a few ideas:

1. Our Moments card game

One gift that you should invest in is the Our Moments card game. It’s a great activity that you and your partner can enjoy together and use for a long time. But it’s not only a fun game, but it’ll also help you and your partner connect since the game is all about recounting your favorite memories. As Giftwits notes, it’s “quality time on a date night in a way you won’t have experienced before.”

2. Hot pot

Hot pot is a kind of Asian cuisine. If you love Korean barbeque, you’re going to love Hot Pot, or as it’s also called shabu-shabu. Like Korean barbeque, it’s customizable and you get to cook your food, while you eat it.

It’s also a great date-night plan if you’re celebrating your anniversary under quarantine, during COVID-19 times. Hot pot is a great way to experiment with new cuisine while experiencing something new with your partner.

3. Love letters

Writing love letters may seem outdated, but like most retro things, it’s making a comeback. Even though it was once something cheesy and overused, nowadays, writing a love letter shows effort and appreciation. With all the technology we have today, actually sitting down and writing a letter will show how much you care.

You could even plan to write love letters together. Rather than just writing a love letter for your partner on your 13th anniversary, you could try to write letters together to open up in the future. It’s kind of like a cross between a typical love letter and a time capsule.

4. A ping pong table

Ping pong is the perfect game for a couple. It’s super easy, and you don’t have to be good at it to enjoy the game. Whereas in most Asia, ping pong is elevated to a national sport, here, at home, it’s mostly a pass-time activity. I’ve personally liked playing ping pong from time to time ever since I was a kid. I’ve recently bought a ping pong table and I occasionally play it with my life. If you have a playroom, this is a great gift to help you bond more with your spouse and have fun. If you don’t know where to start? Check this buying guide.

5. A brewing kit

Some of the best anniversary gifts aren’t just ‘objects,’ they’re experiences. Getting a brewing kit is a great gift because you can learn something new together. It’s also fun because you get to taste what you’ve created. Whether you make the best beer you’ve ever tried or the absolute worst, it’ll be a fun and exciting time with your partner.

And who knows? Brewing might become a new hobby for the two of you. It’s a fun thing to do together, and you can even share it with your friends too.

So if your 13th anniversary is coming up around the corner, don’t go the traditional route. Do something new and exciting. Both you and your partner will be grateful for it.

Celebrating each passing year of your relationship should be about showing your appreciation and celebrating all the memories you’ve created as well as the memories to come. As such, you shouldn’t treat your anniversary like any other day or even like any other anniversary. Rather, you should celebrate the successes of your relationship and all the things you and your partner have built together.