Twelfth wedding anniversaries seem to come out of nowhere. Twelve years? Can't be. So how are you going to celebrate a twelfth year of marriage, anyway? The symbol for 12 years together is linen. That offers a few ideas. The agate is the traditional gem. But what about clever ways to really mark twelve years together? Here are seven great ideas to help you. It's not every day you have a twelfth anniversary.

1. This may sound corny as can be, but the old standby twelve love notes scattered all around the house is still a reasonably good, and can be highly romantic gesture. Make it a scavenger hunt, and have fun with it. If you both do the love note thing, that's twenty-four different ways to say I Love You, and I'd married you all over again. Make it a game, and the prize is entirely up to you.

2. Linen comes in many forms, styles, designs and creations. A whole new set of table linens can easily be the most romantic gift she (or he) ever got, especially if, sitting atop those linens, there's a fancy, home-cooked gourmet meal that's their favorite thing in the world.

3. This one takes some planning ahead, but twelve months in the year could be the key to the happiest anniversary yet. Make a date once a month as a prelude to twelve years. The actual anniversary could be that much more special. This monthly date can take place following the anniversary also, no problem. The idea, after all, is to celebrate your union.

4. Into live drama? What better play to attend, (maybe on one of your dates), than Twelfth Night? This is one of Shakespeare's most entertaining and delightful plays. Filled with comic twists and turns around mistaken identity, and in the end a sweet love story, Twelfth Night is the perfect way to mark a twelfth anniversary.

5. The agate is the symbolic gemstone associated with twelve years together. Go to Etsy, Zazzle, Cafe' Press or any other web creative source, and commission a picture of the two of you, vacation scene, family photo or even a wedding picture with an agate prominently displayed. The stones are inexpensive, lustrous, and distinctive.

6. Twelve years is indeed a long time to be married, and a long time to maintain the spark. It happens to everyone; we all need a bit of help energizing the marriage, especially after many years. Try this. Put together your very own 'top secret' weekend box. Go to JimmyJane on-line. This website has several very tasteful, highly erotic items that are guaranteed to liven up your evening together. Check out the hot massage wax--yummmm!

7. Not into mail order stimulations, or plain brown wrappers? Just take the day off, both of you, send the kids to friends' houses, and spend the day pampering each other--for twelve hours. Turn off the phone; kill the television; shut the blinds; close the garage door.

Run the tub full of hot water, light the candles, put some Tim Janis, or Enya, or Secret Garden on the CD player. Sink into the bath together, and just enjoy. Drink a glass of wine--who cares if it's three in the afternoon? Or twelve o'clock? Your twelfth anniversary is a great one to mark with whatever flowers or food items happen to be your spouse's favorite. A dozen of any kind of flowers may be very predictable, but still very much appreciated. Happy anniversary!