Is that special anniversary coming up so fast you’re getting tense at the thought of elbowing through a multitude of equally harassed better halves to reserve your wife’s or girl’s favourite blooms? Are you getting the bottle of antacid ready because you’re not sure if she’s going to squeal at the sight of a box of chocolates under her pillow, or throw it at you for buying something fattening?

Yes, anniversary gifts can either be the bane or boon of your relationship, and thank goodness it only happens once a year (unless you’re the type who celebrates monthly, in which case we wish you luck). Here’s some good news: you can go kinky or creative or both, and she’ll love you for it!

I mean, the sudden popularity of adult toy shops, either online or in meat space, can vouch for it. It doesn’t have to be an all out pornographic extravaganza complete with chains and whips, mind. If you’re quite the conservative couple, why not go for a little romantic role playing complete with costumes and props?

If you’re feeling like an eleventh century troubadour, go for the tight costume, a book of poetry, and perhaps a lire at the local costume store. In keeping with the theme, perhaps go on horseback to pick her up at work, or if your city has them, ride a handsome cab and arrange a picnic date at the park.

Maybe it’s not entirely within the period, but any horse-drawn carriage will make your special gal’s heart go a-flutter especially if she’s not expecting it. Whatever role playing stuff you go for, just bear in mind that with this kind of surprise, it would be nice to go along with something that has significance for both of you.

So whether you’re rabid fans of 300 (get the Spartan gear ready!), of spy films, of period costumes, of poetry and erotica, go for it. Just make sure you have a little surprise ready under all that get-up and behind all those props, for when you two are ready to spill out of your clothes!

While we’re on that subject, have you ever considered getting her a set of edible underwear? Infinitely better than split-crotch panties or suchlike (and much more romantic), you can present them to her in a box that usually holds candy as shyly or as brazenly as you choose. Or perhaps get a dozen of those scented silk knickers that are folded to resemble rose buds. Tell her you think the things will smell better when she’s wearing them rather than when she’s holding them up like a pageant participant. She’ll be flustered and blushing, but trust me. ..she’s going to end up wearing the skimpy things and both of you will have a night that will go down in your relationship history as a keeper.

Now, should you start feeling bolder, perhaps it’s time to bring out the big guns, in a manner of speaking? Sex toys abound, but you don’t have to settle for the first gargantuan jelly thing you see in adult stores. More creative stuff for couples (who seem destined to be together) are now out in the market. So instead of radically transforming your relationship to mimic a porn episode, why not go for something that will enhance your togetherness a lot better?

Things to bear in mind when you shop for her “naughty” anniversary gift: a Tantric game, a sexy pair of furry handcuffs, scented candles and potpourri, a spa set including sensuous bath gels, and so on and so forth. Let your personal history and creativity work, and you’ll be rewarded over and over again, in a variety of exquisite ways.