We all know about Ruby, Gold and Diamond wedding anniversaries. But you may ask what's the point of the rest of the traditional and modern gifts by year? Well, these materials actually have a lot to say about the growing depth of your relationship and intertwined roots. And anyway, practically speaking, when married life is at its most hectic you may be thankful for some much-needed inspiration!
But there’s a difference between using traditional gifts by year as inspiration and proffering a gift that is lacking in sentiment. It’s a tough line to balance so we’re here to give you the benefit of our experience.
Traditional or Modern?
There are two schools of thought when it comes to wedding gifts. The traditional list and the modern list. It’s important to remember that you don’t need to stick to one list for all wedding anniversaries that you celebrate. Think who you are buying the gift for. It may be your own spouse, or your child and their spouse - even your parents or parent and their spouse.
Gift Lists
The generally accepted traditional and modern lists of anniversary gifts should be used as a starting point for gift giving. You need not take them all literally. For example, your first wedding anniversary may become memorable for all the wrong reasons if you gift your wife a box of printer paper. Conversely, some years are best kept simple - silver, gold or diamond, for example, offer many beautiful possibilities without straying from the core material.
1st – Paper (Traditional) Clocks (Modern)
2nd – Cotton (Traditional) China (Modern)
3rd – Leather (Traditional) Crystal/Glass (Modern)
4th – Fruit & Flowers (Traditional) Appliances (Modern)
5th – Wood (Traditional) Silverware (Modern)
6th – Iron (Traditional) Wood Objects (Modern)
7th – Copper (Traditional) Desk sets (Modern)
8th – Bronze (Traditional) Linen, Lace (Modern)
9th – Pottery (Traditional) Leather Goods (Modern)
10th – Tin/Aluminum (Traditional) Diamond (Modern)
11th – Steel (Traditional) Fashion jewelry (Modern)
12th – Silk (Traditional) Pearls, Colored gems (Modern)
13th – Lace (Traditional) Textiles (Modern)
14th – Ivory (Traditional) Gold jewelry (Modern)
15th – Crystal (Traditional) Watches (Modern)
16th – - Silver holloware (Modern)
17th – - Furniture (Modern)
18th – - Porcelain (Modern)
19th – - Bronze (Modern)
20th – China (Traditional) Platinum (Modern)
25th – Silver (Traditional & Modern)
30th – Pearl (Traditional) Diamond (Modern)
35th – Coral (Traditional) Jade (Modern)
40th – Ruby (Traditional & Modern)
45th – Sapphire (Traditional & Modern)
50th – Gold (Traditional & Modern)
55th – Emerald (Traditional & Modern)
60th – Diamond (Traditional & Modern)
Creative Ideas
So how you use these lists creatively? It’s all about thinking around the subject. Let’s take a paper anniversary as an example again. You could select a print for the wall. Or even a silver paperweight for the office. As the years go by, you may not have the budget to spend high every year. Instead, save those really luxurious purchases for landmark anniversaries, and keep it small in between.
Expanding Collections
Often the most practical gift-giving comes down to planning. Anniversary gifts can become an opportunity to expand a home with the luxuries which are not indulged in day to day. Use anniversary gifts, then, to extend a collection. For example, if as a couple you enjoy hosting, you can gradually upgrade your barware with each anniversary that passes. Or gradually coordinate your homeware accessories through the years.
Engraving
The thing that all gifts have in common is that they increase in value when a personal element is added. This could be a signed edition of a book or produce originating from a special year. For silver and pewter gifts, personalised engraving lifts your gift to the next level of sentiment. So whether it’s a monogram or a message, think about how you can use personalisation to show your gift comes from the heart.
Remember that a wedding anniversary should be a happy occasion. Don’t let the pressure of ‘getting it right’ turn it into something stressful. Your gift is a remembrance of wedding day joy, so why not let that sentiment guide you to celebrate a growing marriage!
