Wedding anniversaries are celebrated occasions, wherever you may live in the world. And even if you go back several centuries, the most significant anniversaries certainly received recognition. Wedding anniversaries are a chance for a married couple to reaffirm their love for each other. It’s also seen as an opportunity for loved ones to demonstrate their love and affection. One way if doing this is with the giving and receiving of wedding anniversary gifts.
However, it’s not always easy to find the perfect gift, whether the recipient is your wife or husband, friends or family members. Fear not because we’ll be helping every step of the way. Not just for silver wedding anniversary gifts but other wedding anniversaries along the way. Keep reading because we’ll be sharing our top ideas for many of the passing years including 1st, 5th, 10th, 35th, 45th and many, many more.
Do you know all the themes associated with anniversary years? They can be used to very good effect for inspiration. There are however, some pretty obscure ones that might cause an issue. But once you get the hang of finding the perfect anniversary gift, you’ll just see it as another challenge.
Pink Natural Glazed Rose
- A natural pink rose glazed and gold trimmed with pure 24 karat gold.
- Each rose comes supplied with an authenticity certificate.
- Approximately 29cm in length.
Purple Matched Set in Gold Heart Theme
- Includes a glazed purple natural rose, along with a pendant and earrings.
- The pendant is fashioned in the shape of a heart.
- Each jewelry piece is inlaid with sparkling synthetic diamonds.
Blue Matching Set
- It includes rose, pendant and earrings in leaf theme.
- The jewelry set is decorated with 30 brilliant synthetic diamonds.
- Protected by a lifetime guarantee supplied as standard.
Where does anniversary gift giving come from?
Presenting gifts to couples celebrating another successful year of marriage has been customary for centuries. Hundreds of years ago it was the more significant milestones that received recognition. The origins of wedding anniversary gifts can be traced back in history to Central European traditions. There are a couple of lists with associated themes that are very popular nowadays. A traditional list that has themes for every year up to a 25th anniversary and every subsequent five years after that. And a modern version that features more up to date themes. These current lists were introduced in the 1930’s and are a symbolic representation of the couple’s experiences over the course of the passing number of years. Take for example a fourth wedding anniversary theme which is fruit and flowers. It’s thought to be a fertility offering in the hope that the couple will produce healthy offspring.
Over the years, other lists have been compiled to include a list of flowers and gemstones. And the list of themes traditionally associated with wedding anniversary has been brought up to date with more contemporary items. Fruit and flowers for a fourth wedding anniversary have been updated to electrical appliances. Furniture has been added for a 17th anniversary and musical instruments for the 24 year anniversary gift.
Let’s look at both of the lists in more detail.
List of anniversary gift themes by year
| Anniversary year | Traditional - UK | Traditional - USA | Modern |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year | Cotton | Paper | Clock |
| 2nd year | Paper | Cotton | China |
| 3rd year | Leather | Leather | Crystal, glass |
| 4th year | Fruit and flowers | Linen. silk | Electrical appliances |
| 5tt year | Wood | Wood | Silverware |
| 6 | Sugar | Iron | Wood objects |
| 7 | Woollen | Wool, copper | Desk sets/pen and pencil sets |
| 8 | Salt | Bronze | Linens, lace |
| 9 | Copper | Pottery | Leather goods |
| 10th year | Tin | Tin, aluminum | Diamond jewellery |
| 11 | Steel | Fashion jewellery, accessories | |
| 12 | Silk and fine linen | Silk | Pearls, coloured gems |
| 13 | Lace | Textiles, furs | |
| 14 | Ivory | Ivory | Gold jewellery |
| 15th year | China | Crystal | Watches |
| 16 | Silver holloware | ||
| 17 | Furniture | ||
| 18 | Porcelain | ||
| 19 | Bronze | ||
| 20th year | China | China | Platinum |
| 21 | Brass. nickel | ||
| 22 | Copper | ||
| 23 | Silver plate | ||
| 24 | Opal | Musical instruments | |
| 25 | Silver | Silver | Silver |
| 30th year | Pearl | Pearl | Diamond |
| 35th year | Coral | Coral, jade | Jade |
| 40th year | Ruby | Ruby | Ruby |
| 45th year | Sapphire | Sapphire | |
| 50th year | Gold | Gold | Gold |
| 55th year | Emerald | Emerald | |
| 60th year | Diamond | Diamond (yellow) | Diamond |
| 65 | |||
| 70 | Blue sapphire | ||
| 75 | Platinum | ||
| 80 | Diamond. gold | Diamond, gold |
The lists of wedding anniversary gifts vary from country to country, but those mentioned above are the ones most frequently by people for inspiration. The traditional and modern lists for the US were compiled by librarians at the Chicago Public Library. The UK version comes from Pears Cyclopaedia, the 1978-79 edition.
Now you know what kind of themes are associated with each passing years let’s look at some suggestions for anniversary gifts. We’ll also be looking in more detail at some of the most significant years on subsequent pages. Spend a little perusing our pages and you’ll be well equipped for future years.
Top rated gifts for other wedding anniversaries
When it comes to gifts, especially for the ladies, there are three things that immediately spring to mind, You can’t go far wrong if you pick flowers, chocolates or jewellery. However, giving one of these three for every special occasion is going to get a little boring. Not just for the recipient but for the gift-giver as well. There is a way to improve on such simple fare and that’s by choosing your classical gift with style and flair.
While your wife might have a certain brand of chocolate bar always on her shopping list, she’s going to want something a little more inspiring for an anniversary gift. Instead pick chocolate that looks or tastes a little bit different. Such as a gourmet chocolate gift basket, chocolates shaped an unusual way, or perhaps even a chocolate tasting experience.
Don’t be tempted to leave things till the last minute and be forced to pick something up from the petrol station on your way home from work. Appearing on the doorstep with a wilted bunch of daffodils isn’t going to disguise the fact that you ran out of time. Spend some time deliberating on her favourite blooms, and investigate the secret meanings that can be conveyed with your choice of flowers. It’s time to knock her over with your thoughtfulness and caring gesture.
Jewellery is another tried and tested stand-by, when it comes to giving gifts to the ladies, and even the man in the equation won’t turn their nose up at the gift of a stylish necklace. However, choosing something truly special will mean that fond thoughts spring to mind everytime it gets worn. A great choice, if you want something really special, is a matching pendant and earring set made using the petals of a miniature rose that have been glazed and gold trimmed. A one of a kind gift that clearly show how much the recipient means to you.