Give your girlfriend a gift that chronicles memories of the first year. Put together a photo album of the moments you have shared. Include notes about your memory and how you felt. You could also create an online slideshow, set to music, or have a calendar made for the next year. Another idea is to create a scrapbook with mementos from events of your first year together -- movie ticket stubs, a takeout menu or the first card you gave her.

Paper is the traditional first year anniversary gift for married couples, but you could give your girlfriend a paper gift for your first year of dating, too. One idea is to give her a book or set of books from her favorite authors. You could also have personalized stationary made for her. Concert tickets to see a favorite singer or band would be an exciting surprise. Another idea is to create a jar of love coupons with things like "one free back massage," and "cook my specialty taquitos." She can redeem them at any time.

Give her a romantic item symbolizing one year together with a note attached. For example, you could give her a single rose with a note attached that says, "one rose for the love that has blossomed between us this year." Other items could include a plush heart, a heart charm necklace, a heart-shaped balloon and a hand-written love letter made into a paper origami swan or rose.

Take a romantic trip out of town. This is ideal if you haven't taken a big trip together yet. You can either surprise your girlfriend if you've got a good idea of where she would want to go, or together decide on a destination. Choose romantic accommodations, such as a cozy winter cabin, a deluxe suite at a swanky city hotel or a secluded villa at a luxury tropical hotel. Many hotels offer romance packages to enhance your trip.