Since our first anniversary my wife Shannon and I have decided that our gift to each other would be a work of original art that we purchase together at some point during the year. Our anniversary is 8/5, which often falls near the Uptown Art Fair, as it did this weekend. We just spent the morning walking around the fair and found a couple of paintings that we both love.
It's been a great tradition for us because it commits us to buying original art at least once a year (and feeling OK about spending the money), it avoids having to try and buy something for each other, it gives is a fun outing to do together and our house is starting to fill up with peices that have a history. We set a budget of $100 for each year that we've been married, which helps focus our search. A number of years, including this year, we haven't spent the full amount.
Attached are photos of this years acquisitions - a pear in a wheelbarrow that reminds us of abundance, and a monster with fabulous red boots and a "super sweetie" that just made us smile. Check them out next time you're over for a visit.