Great paper crafts for a 1st anniversary?

September 21, 2007 11:23 AM

My first wedding anniversary is coming up and I'm looking for some great paper crafts.

I've already done lots of Googling and come up with the usual suspects - papier mache, origami, greeting cards - but I want something great! Of course, I'm interested in weird and wonderful papier mache and origami crafts, too. Thanks!

(I asked this question anonymously because my husband often reads Metafilter.)

posted by anonymous to sports, hobbies, & recreation (21 comments total)

invest in some art photography?
posted by mr. remy at 11:31 AM on September 21, 2007

A book counts as paper, right? My now fiance made me a hollowed out book once for a dating anniversary. He decoupaged pictures of us and little messages on a few loose pages and the secret stash area was just big enough to hold a mix tape. It was a GREAT gift! You could adapt this idea in many different ways if you're feeling crafty.
posted by slowfasthazel at 11:41 AM on September 21, 2007

Kokigami.
posted by klangklangston at 11:47 AM on September 21, 2007

A scrapbook of photos and other paper artifacts of your first year together. Dinner receipts, marriage license, concert tickets, post-it notes that have meaning, even a bill if it has both your names on it.
posted by Argyle at 11:47 AM on September 21, 2007

This may be the least-romantic idea ever, but for my first anniversary (as a joke), I wrote my wife a check from our joint bank account for the entire contents of our checking account. Slapped that one in a card and it actually got some pretty good laughs. I did that, and the book thing.
posted by um_maverick at 11:59 AM on September 21, 2007

Sort of similar to Argyle's idea: some kind of zine about your first year of marriage? Will probably not have a very wide distribution, sure, but maybe the format itself would give you a non-greeting-card-ish way to express your thoughts/feelings.
posted by splendid animal at 12:44 PM on September 21, 2007

My aunt is really into altered books and artists trading cards. Both are really neat crafts and very special presents.
posted by radioamy at 12:48 PM on September 21, 2007

You mentioned origami--I learned how to make my wife's two favorite flowers in origami form, a purple rose and a lily. I put them in a shadowbox, and she adores it after years.
posted by monkeymadness at 1:25 PM on September 21, 2007 [1 favorite]

You can make some neat lampshades, etc. with origami corrugation and/or tessellation.
posted by teg at 1:38 PM on September 21, 2007

My husband bought me tickets (paper ones) for our first anniversary to see a show I really wanted to see. Excellent paper present!
posted by msali at 2:10 PM on September 21, 2007

I had our vows (which we had drafted ourselves) letterpress-printed and framed.
posted by hhc5 at 2:48 PM on September 21, 2007

paper animation kits; google a bit more and you'll find things as elaborate as a working clock model (if you have, you know, a million hours to kill).
posted by LobsterMitten at 3:29 PM on September 21, 2007

No doubt this is a long shot, but just in case Chicago holds any special place in the hearts of you and your husband I'd point you to a post on BoingBoing today featuring - yup - Chicago's landmarks as papercraft ...

(Ohhh, I want the L trains and track!)
posted by zeph at 3:34 PM on September 21, 2007

One of the students I work with scanned pictures from the wedding, photoshopped them so that they were only strong outlines, printed them out, and made his wife a coloring book. It was really cute.
posted by lilywing13 at 3:47 PM on September 21, 2007 [2 favorites]

Make your own pop up book, this has become quite popular lately and if you google it you should find some sites with instructions.
posted by Melsky at 4:36 PM on September 21, 2007

i'm surprised no one has mentioned the single most amazing use of paper (or papier mache) to date: the piñata!

blow up a balloon and pop in a few cute, small gifts. use flour paste and squares of colored paper to cover it with some beautiful pattern. pop the balloon. then give it to your sweetie to break.

as for the gifts...a nice pair of cufflinks might be nice, a memory stick loaded with your favorite pictures, his favorite candy or gum, whatever seems right for him.
posted by thinkingwoman at 8:24 PM on September 21, 2007

Whitewings are super cool.
posted by GPF at 9:25 PM on September 21, 2007

How about writing your partner a letter? It's on paper and perhaps one of the most personal of crafts.
posted by Neiltupper at 9:28 PM on September 21, 2007

for your husband? Make some sexy paper lingerie or write out a coupon for some "intimate time". You'll fulfill the paper requirement and give him what he really wants, you.
posted by p8r1ck at 11:39 PM on September 21, 2007

To me, the ultimate gift would be a handwritten love letter on fine paper -- something your beloved would read again and again -- but...

You can always kick papier mache up a couple of notches and do a life mask (or other body part).

The results can be quite stunning.

Enjoy -- and congratulations. May you always be as happy in the future as you are today.
posted by peace_love_hope at 6:20 AM on September 22, 2007

I made a 3D paper snowflake that was really impressive and very easy to make.
posted by KathyK at 7:28 AM on September 24, 2007