Need suggestions for anniversary gift! I'm thinking too hard...

I'll try and give a little background so you can advise to the best of your ability . My boyfriend and I are coming up on our 6th anniversary. We are not married but have been together for that long. We are high school sweethearts and are still young at 22 and 23. It has been understood since about our 2nd month of dating that we would eventually marry. Of course we were only 16 and 17 at the time but here we are almost 6 years later and are still very much in love and ALL over eachother. I have been dropping more hints lately about an engagement and have a feeling that this coming anniversary will be it as he has asked a few times recently about the type of ring I like. At the same time though, I know our financial state right now and it's not looking bright. We survive just fine but I don't see much room for a purchase like an engagement ring, even a less expensive one. But, at the same time, he could have easily been saving money over a period of time, or may be planning to finance a ring. (see! Thinking too much! )

Alright I'm rambling....so here's my question. What do I get him??? I am TRYING not to assume an engagement is coming because I don't want to be disappointed if not. But what if it is....what can I get him that measures up to that? Or even if it's not, what do you get someone that you have been with for 6 years. I want it to mean something. It seems like everytime a holiday, birthday, anniversary, etc. comes up, we get eachother knick knacks that don't stick around long. It's just useless stuff that gets thrown out or easily forgotten. I could easily come up with something that he would both use and love; maybe for work or the gym. BUT I want to get him something that symbolizes our love. I know guys aren't as romantic as women so it would be very helpful to hear some of your point of veiws! I just don't want to get him something that he'll go 'oh, cool, thanks hun' Im seriously typing and thinking too much! 

Any advice is much appreciated....if any other background is needed feel free to ask!

My finace bought me a TV when we got engaged.

If your financial situation is tight, then how about making him something?  A handmade gift has far more sentimental value than most things that you can buy.  Thinking that whatever you get has to measure up to an engagement ring is kind of silly.  Whatever you do get or make for him if there's thought and love behind it I suspect he'll love it.

You could take him out to dinner where you had your first date, maybe buy the first movie you guys saw together on DVD, something that has special meaning to the two of you.

sully- He bought the TV for the most recent Valentine's Day...romantic huh?

smwhipple- Our financial situation is tight...but not so tight that I couldn't purchase something. I did most of the sintimental crafting earlier in our relationship. Things like a photo album of our years together, a CD with some of our favortie songs, a poster of the first movie we watched together (it was Scarface)...etc. Guess where all that ended up? Trash. He just isn't much of a sentimentalist. I think this is why I have such a hard time finding something worth giving him. I want it to be 'romantic' but not 'mushy'...because 'mushy' doesn't work with him. 

We were only 16 an 17 when we started dating so there really was no 'first date'. We knew eachother for 3 days before we started 'going out' We were exclusive right away without doing the actual 'dating' 

I REALLY need some new ideas. I feel like in the past 6 years of holidays, anniversary's and birthdays I've exhausted every original idea!

How about making something practical?  If he drinks coffee, there are these nifty coffee mugs you can buy that you can write on or slip photos into.  If you knit or crotchet a scarf could be cool.  Clothes for work or for going out if you guys like to.  A favorite book, a special blend of coffee that he wouldn't normally buy.  Or do a special date night for the two of you if you don't go out very often.

For our anniversary, I'm giving my husband a long weekend trip to San Diego (we live in Phx).  Hotel was on sale, we'll drive instead of fly, and if we wanted to be cheap, there are plenty of inexpensive eating options and we could just hang out at the beach.  

Not sure where you're located, but a trip could be fun - new memories, if nothing else! 

smwhipple- He does drink coffee....but the mug would be repetetive...I did that for the last Valentine's Day. I don't knit or crotchet (or do anything handy for that matter)...and he would never wear a scarf. We live in boiling Phoenix, AZ...even at the coldest all we need is a light jacket. Thank you so much for replying so promplty...this is very contructive. I think I am just realizing that he is just hard to shop for all around. All immediate and extended family can ever think to get him are clothes for work. So he has an excess of those. 

His birthday was in May and I got him workout clothes. He is a 23 year old guy....so he definitely doesn't own a book...nonetheless have a favorite. Every special occassion seems to consist of dinner and a movie....so that has gotten quite boring. 

awestendorf- Looks like we live nearby  A long weekend trip was definitely on the top of my list. Unfortunately, I don't think we will be able to afford even a short trip. It would not only mean spending money on the trip itself...but both of us would have to take off of work and would lose money there...we would have to have been saving up....

Digital camera? ipod?

How about an ipod or some kind of electronic device that he's been wanting?  Not necessarily romantic, but if it's something that he would like and use it's worthwhile.

Great minds, smwhipple :)

I feel like you guys know me!! haha. We got, as a couple, a brand new video recorder and digital camera for Christmas last year. He owns an iphone as well so he's got almost everything in the palm of his hand. Honestly, it seems when I give up on racking my brain and ask what he wants, it is almost ALWAYS something electronic...so that is always in the back of my mind. But I can't for the life of me think of something electronic that he doesnt already have. He has an iphone, 52" TV, digital camera, video recorder, Wii, and an xbox. What else could the boy possibly need?!?!

Well hello, neighbor!  Too bad about the time off issue - northern AZ is really nice this time of year if you don't want to go out of state.

Does he want any new games?  I hear Wii Sports Resort is pretty fun.  Other ideas...concert tickets?  My husband is also pretty hard to shop for, but he always enjoys a good Lego (as do I) or clothing since he rarely shops for himself.  Or sometimes I buy myself lingerie and he just appreciates the result! 

I would definitely say it would be a great idea to plan one night away.. if  you live near a big city, go to hotels.com and find a great rate on a hotel room, you'll probably end up spending around $50 for the night, and go to Fredrick's and get yourself a sexy piece of lingerie (about $20), and when you go to the hotel, sneak a picnic basket in the trunk (pack it at home with cute little finger sandwiches and whipped cream and strawberries), and just have a really fun, romantic night.  Also, if you're staying in a big city, you can go out at night and walk around and look at the stars even if you drive a little bit, etc.  I think that having the experience of a weekend away beats any gift.  You can do it all for under $100 and have a fantastic time!  Also, make sure you bring a camera to take a ton of pictures, and maybe make a him a scrapbook of your little trip when you get home and give it to him the week later :)

^ stealing that idea! 

How about a nice watch, engraved on the back... "Our Love is Timeless."  and date it?

I am not a romantic but I am a sucker for sentimental.