What to do for your anniversary when your spouse has everything? I surprised my husband with a gorgeous camper renovation for the ultimate 30th-anniversary gift.
Gorgeous Camper Renovation
As our 30th anniversary approached, I found myself facing a familiar dilemma: what do you get for the man who seems to have everything and wants for nothing? My husband Craig, notoriously difficult to surprise, is not one for jewelry, watches, or any typical anniversary fare. Even the Swiss watch we bought together while in Switzerland on our 23rd anniversary remains untouched, nestled in its box 8 years later. Yet, amidst this challenge, a glimmer of inspiration struck, setting the stage for what would become the best anniversary gift ever.
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It all began with a casual remark from my husband about the idea of owning a camping trailer. He mentioned how much he would like to get a camper that we could take up into the mountains or the coast and so, the seed was planted for a big surprise: a fully renovated camper that we can use to make memories with each other, our children, and our grandchildren.
Enter Renee, a friend I had connected with through Instagram, known for transforming old camping trailers into the cutest and coziest sanctuaries. I reached out to Renee and to see if she and her husband had any campers available and it just so happened that they did! They had just started renovating a 2006 Scotsman 32-foot trailer and I decided to buy it to give to my husband Craig for our 30th Anniversary.
From top to bottom, the transformation was nothing short of amazing! Gone were the outdated fixtures and tired interiors, replaced by a vision of modern farmhouse charm. They installed real tile in the bathroom and shower, a beautiful sink and vanity, a decorative mirror, new black towel racks, and lighting fixtures.
Before and After!
Bunk Room
The sleeping quarters were reconfigured to fit a king-size bed, three bunk beds, a desk area, and a television – perfect for family adventures.
Main Bedroom
The main bedroom space was also transformed and a king-size bed was built to replace the smaller queen-size bed and a creative headboard was added. New lighting, floors, and window treatments were added to finish off the camper renovation.
Kitchen and Dining Area
The heart of the camper, the kitchen, underwent a makeover too! Handmade wood furnishings including the dining table, new countertops, and cabinets breathed new life into the space, complemented by a tile backsplash that made it feel less like a camper and more like a real kitchen.
Living Room Space
To complete the main gathering space, a stone fireplace and cleverly concealed television adorned the main living area, creating a cozy and warm space to gather inside the camper.
The second TV is hiding behind the artwork on the wall!
You can watch the reel video I shared on Instagram here: 30th Wedding Anniversary Gift Reel
The journey to bring this surprise to fruition was not without its challenges. Coordinating the transport of the trailer from Wisconsin to our home in Utah was no small feat, but with determination and a bit of logistical magic, it arrived just in time for our anniversary. The final touch? A personalized sign adorning the camper’s interior, proudly proclaiming it as “Craigy’s Camper” (everyone in our family calls him Craigy except me) – a fitting tribute to the man of the hour. The look of astonishment on his face when he first laid eyes on his unexpected gift was a moment I’ll treasure forever.
In the end, it wasn’t just the camper itself that made this anniversary gift so special; it was the thought, care, and effort that went into orchestrating the perfect surprise. And for that, I have Renee and her husband to thank, whose talent and hard work made it all possible. I know we will treasure the time spent and memories made in our new camper!
As we embark on new adventures together, I’m reminded that the best gifts are not always the ones you can buy, but the ones that come from the heart – and this anniversary, I think I hit the mark.
To see more of this heartwarming surprise, visit my Instagram, and be sure to check out @wisco_flip for more inspiring transformations. After all, sometimes the greatest gifts come from unexpected places.
Image and video credit: Renee @wisco_flip and Home With Holly J
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Holly, such a beautiful camper and what a fabulous surprise for your precious hubby! HAPPY 30TH ANNIVERSARY! May you be blessed with many more wonderful years together!
Thanks so much Mary-Ann! We just got back from camping in it a few weeks ago and we’ve had so much fun using it! We are treasuring it even more since he had a widowmaker heat attack 5 weeks ago! So grateful we get more time together on this earth! xoxo~Holly
What a great gift for husbands anniversary! Camper looks so nice. Money can’t buy happiness and you had a thoughtful heart of love 💕
Thanks so much Nancy! He loved it so much and we’ve loved making memories with our kids and grandkids!
The transformation of the trailer is totally awesome! It is such a beautiful job! It is such a unique 🎁 gift; I would love for it to show up in my driveway!
Thanks so much Jeri! We will definitely have to bring it down to farmington again! Love and miss you guys!
I love this remodel! Would you share the paint color/brand used for the walls and cabinets? I am interested in using this as my inspiration!
Thanks so much! I don’t have the colors but Renee from Wisco Flip might have them. Let me reach out to her to see if she still has them or feel free to message her on Instagram. I linked her account there too!
This is a gorgeous camper makeover! I would like to know paint colors, too!
Thanks so much! Renee and her husband did a great job! I think the paint color is swiss coffee from Benjamin Moore but I’m not 100% on this!