AN ANNIVERSARY GIFT FOR EVERY YEAR

Although a couple's wedding day will always be a key milestone in their life since it brings together their family and friends to celebrate their love, every wedding anniversary is another chance to commemorate that lasting love, throughout the trials and tribulations of everyday married life.

In most cultures, the wedding anniversary is believed to be an important occasion, and is usually celebrated in a meaningful and significant way. As the pair remind themselves how they committed their lives to each other, they can endeavour to choose a perfect gift with a deep and symbolic meaning of the number of years that have gone by.

When a couple have only been married a short time, finding a great gift is relatively simple since couples often lack the things that any married couple need to create a functional and furnished home. However as they chalk up more and more milestones together, it becomes much more difficult to choose a present that is sure to be treasured and appreciated.

Gifts have been presented on wedding anniversaries ever since Medieval times when the husband in the Holy Roman Empire would give his wife a silver wreath to represent their 25^th anniversary, and would give her a golden wreath if they reached their 50 year milestone.

OUR MOST POPULAR ANNIVERSARY GIFT FOR HER

The 1920s saw a writer called Emily Post trying to resolve the ongoing problem of choosing an anniversary gift for other marital years by publishing a suggested list of anniversary themes in a book called “Etiquette.” Although only the first, fifth and then every fifth subsequent year until the 25^th anniversary was included on this list, in 1937 it was extended by the American National Retail Jeweller Association to include all of the years to the fourteenth wedding anniversary, and then completing every fifth year until the golden wedding on the 50^th marital year.

Those themes now represent the ones which are considered to be traditional for each year of marriage.

More recently, new lists have been created which have given an additional theme to every single year between one and 25, and then every fifth year until the couple reach their 75^th year of marriage. These additional themes are termed ‘modern’ themes, and offer an alternative to the couple if the traditional theme for that year is not particularly desired.

We have brought together all of the information collected in these lists and have completed a comprehensive table that outlines the modern and traditional themes associated with each anniversary year.

Modern Or Traditional Gifts?

Usually, when a couple have only been married for a few years, they give and are given gifts which are practical and functional, however as their marriage endures, they will be offered more luxurious gifts since their home will already be established and fully equipped.

When you take a look at all of the traditional themes for anniversaries, you will notice that the materials featured are those which have been widely available throughout history, like paper, wool and tin. Conversely, our more contemporary list highlights items which have become more popular in the modern day, like appliances and desk sets.

After 20 years of marriage, there is not a traditional gift listed for each year, however the contemporary list outlines a specific theme for every year until the 30^th year of marriage, which reflects the couple's requirement to try harder to sustain the commitment and romance in their relationship as they progress along the road of marriage.

Which is the Better List?

There can be no wrong or right response to this, since the eventual choice of anniversary gift should, in the end, rely completely on the tastes of the recipient and the wishes that the giver wants to convey. Interestingly, different countries have different gift themes, and for some anniversary years, the USA and the UK differ in their material choice.

Other Themes for Gifts – Gemstones, Colours and Flowers

Not only are anniversary years symbolised by modern and traditional gift themes, they are also associated with other themes like gemstones, colours and flowers.

A publication from 1985 – The Information Manual on Gemstones, shows every gemstone which has been linked to each anniversary year starting at the first anniversary and going up to the 25^th, and then for every 5^th year until the 60^th anniversary. Different countries also link different gemstones to different years of marriage.

Colours and flowers are also often associated with years of marriage, however again, different countries will have different choices.

Generally, however, the rose is considered to be an ideal token of love to represent any year of marriage, and in many cases, its colour may be matched to that year's colour theme.

Choosing a Gift

We have compiled our own comprehensive guide for every year of marriage which includes the traditional and modern themes as well as the gemstones, flowers and colours linked with every year. This information relates to each marital year until the 30th, then every 5^th year up to the 60^th year of marriage.

We also outline the symbolism and background of each gift theme together with all of the other aspects relating to the anniversary, and our useful gift suggestions for every milestone.

See the table below.

In essence, we offer lots of ideas and options so you can easily choose the ideal gift. It's important to bear in mind that you don't have to adhere to any strict rules when you buy an anniversary present – just be guided by the tastes of your loved one and you're bound to find a gift they'll cherish.

There are some anniversaries which do not have a traditional theme, so in these cases only a contemporary theme will be listed. Some years also do not have a colour, gemstone or flower associated with them, but we still suggested useful gift ideas for these marital years.

And if you should ever want to aim for a handcrafted anniversary gift to give on its own, or to accompany a more substantial gift you may have purchased, take a look at our range of handmade gift suggestions.

 ***  Even though the traditional theme is ivory for the 14th wedding anniversary, this is a poor choice given the decline of elephants. Therefore an anniversary gift which contains an elephant theme is a more suitable and tasteful alternative.