Celebrating Wedding Anniversaries
by Donna Thomson
Celebrating a wedding anniversary is usually done by the couple, by having a special dinner, buying flowers, exchanging gifts, or simply acknowledging each other and your continuing love and appreciation. My husband and I sometimes like to watch our wedding video or look through our wedding photo album to reflect on our special day.
However, on major anniversaries such as the 20th and 25th, it's also common for family members and friends to help celebrate and of course the grandchildren can join in on the 40th, 50th and other wedding anniversaries.
Some people like to follow the traditional gift 'theme' for each anniversary and now there is a modern list of suggestions that may appeal to you. These ideas are great for couples, especially when you think creatively (and this doesn't have to mean expensively!). The lists are also useful for family and friends who wish to give an anniversary gift to someone else.
It's not necessary to acknowledge each anniversary with gift-giving, but many people do this for milestone anniversaries such as the 1st, 10th, 20th, 25th and every 5 or 10 years thereafter.
Below you'll find both the traditional and modern gift themes for each anniversary, along with some suggestions for gifts. If you can think of any other creative ideas please send them to us or mention them on the Forum.
1st Anniversary
|
Paper (traditional)
- Photos - how about getting a studio photo done?
- Poster or art print
- A gift certificate
- Hand-made gift vouchers (e.g. one for a 1 hour massage, 1 for a picnic for 2, etc.)
- Plane tickets
- Personalised stationery set
- A love letter
- Concert or performing arts tickets
- Movie tickets
- Name meaning certificate - the couple's first names
- Family name certificate (family heritage)
- Buy a star named after the couple - present the certificate
- Create a coupon book, e.g. 'This coupon is valid for one 30 minute massage'
- Have a sketch done of the couple
|
Clocks (modern)
- Photo calendar
- Heirloom clock
- Watch
- Personalised clock, e.g. glass etched with portrait or special message
|
2nd Anniversary
|
Cotton
- Photo printed on cotton (e.g. a decorative pillow)
- Bedding
- Clothing
- Nightwear
- Underwear, boxer shorts, etc.
- Towels - monogrammed
- Tablecloths, napkins, placemats, etc.
- Heirloom throw-rug or blanket to commemorate the couple
- A couple of terry-towelling robes - could lead in to a surprise day-spa treatment or resort stay
|
China
|
3rd Anniversary
|
Leather
- Leather handbag, purse or wallet
- Leather gloves or boots
- Leather travel bag
- Leather jacket
- Leather desk accessories, photo album, etc.
- Leather jewellery/trinket box
- Leather chair
- Handcrafted leather items - brooch, hairclips, wine cooler, etc.
- Leather/suede throw pillows
- Leather and stainless steel/silver engraved jewellery
- Leather braided braclets - his and hers
- Leather-bound journal
- Leather-bound memory album
- Grooming kit in leather case
- Deluxe boardgame in leather case
|
Crystal/Glass
- A lead crystal vase
- Set of crystal glasses and/or decanter
- Crystal tealight candle holders
- Crystal clusters, tumbled stones or display pieces
- Crystal jewellery
- A crystal rose
- Swarovski crystal suncatcher, ornament or jewellery
- Glass keepsakes - with special message, engraved, etc.
- Message in a bottle - love letter, holiday voucher, etc.
- Commemorative bottle of wine - personalised label or year of marriage
- Murano glass jewellery
- Glass/crystal lamp/s
- Paperweight
|
4th Anniversary
|
Fruit/Flowers
- Flowers - set up a delivery of one bunch per month for a year
- A fruit, cheese and champagne hamper (to take on a picnic)
- Fruit liqueur
- Flower essences
- Floral perfume
- Flower-themed jewellery
- Potted flowers
- A window box (with flowers!)
- Serve chocolate-covered strawberries, banana etc.
- Bonsai tree
|
Appliances
- Kitchen appliances - e.g. blender, food processor, juicer
- Wine fridge
- Cappucino machine
- Coffee grinder with a selection of coffees
- Personal appliances - mobile/cell phone, mp3 player, CD player, computer
- A good quality torch for him - for the workshop, fishing, camping, etc.
- Barbeque and barbeque utensils set
- Workshop tools for him
- Hairstyling appliances for her
- A salt crystal lamp or other unique lamp
|
5th Anniversary
|
Wood
- A bonsai tree
- Wooden furniture
- Trinket box
- Wooden chest
- Wooden jewellery box
- Wooden carving, sculpture, figurine, ornament, bowl etc.
- Wooden photo box
- Wooden organiser
- Personalised wooden photo frame or plaque
- Wooden sign for the home - how about coming up with a name for your home based on your names?
- Plant a tree that you can watch grow over the years
- Games in a wooden box
|
Silverware
- Silver photo frame
- Silver cutlery set
- Set of silver cake forks
- Cake serving set
- Silver salad servers
- Silver platter or other silverware
- Silver steak knife set
- Carving set
|
6th Anniversary
|
Candy/Iron
- A wrought iron 3 piece outdoor setting
- Other wrought iron furniture, wall plaques, etc
- Wrought iron candle holder
- A trinket box featuring wrought iron
- Personlised branding iron for the barbeque
- Waffle or jaffle iron
- Cast iron cooker for camping
- Expensive/fancy chocolates/candies, gift boxed, favourite sweets, etc.
- Personalised candies or chocolates in a jar or special box
|
Wood
|
7th Anniversary
|
Wool/Copper
- Wool clothing, sweater, etc.
- Wool blanket
- Wool rug or wall hanging
- Wool car seat covers
- Copper bowl, vase, teapot, etc
- Commemorative pennies from the royal mint
- Copper wind chime
- Copper oil lamp
- Copper jewellery, pendants, etc.
- Copper ornament
- Copper wine enhancer
|
Desk Sets
- Desk set - could personalise by theme or get monogrammed
- Desk organiser
- Business card holder
- Leather desk blotter/desk pad
- Stationery set - diary, notebooks, calendar etc in matching theme
- Nice pen and pencil set
- Pen holder
- Mail organiser
|
8th Anniversary
|
Bronze/Pottery
- Bronze sculpture or other display piece
- Bronze bowl
- Bronze plaque - special quote, message or personalised
- Bronze birdbath
- Bronze or pottery jewellery
- Copper wind chimes
- Pottery artwork
- Pottery bowl or platters
- Pottery dinnerware
- Coffee mug set
- Personalised coffee mugs - his and hers
- A pottery water filter urn
- Water fountain
|
Linens/Lace
- Linen bedding
- Lace and/or linen underwear
- Linen clothing
- Linen suit
- Personalised handkerchiefs set
- Tablecloth
- Napkin set
- Linen-covered photo album
- Personalised underwear - his and hers
- Wallhanging
|
9th Anniversary
|
Pottery/Willow
- Willow or pottery sculpture/display piece
- An artist print or painting featuring a willow tree
- See pottery suggestions - 8th Anniversary
|
Leather
|
10th Anniversary
|
Tin/Aluminium
- A trinket box for keepsakes
- Fill a decorative tin with something special - jewellery, love letter, sweet treats, etc.
- A game that comes in a tin
- Tin art or wall plaque
- Brushed aluminium items - pen, business card case, etc.
- A takeaway meal (foil containers) - make it special!
|
Diamond Jewellery
- Pendant
- Necklace
- Earrings
- Bracelet
- Ring
- Cufflinks
|
11th Anniversary
|
Steel
- Kitchen appliances
- Stainless steel gift wares
- A new car!
- Stainless steel jewellery - get it engraved with a special message
|
Fashion Jewellery
- Earrings
- Bracelet/Anklet
- Necklace
- Pendants
- Watches
|
12th Anniversary
|
Silk/Linen
- Silk clothing
- Silk robe, scarf, handkerchief, etc
- Hand-painted silk art
- Silk or linen bedding
- See 8th Anniversary for linen ideas
|
Pearls
|
13th Anniversary
|
Lace
- Lingerie
- Tablecloth
- Bedding with lace
- Throw pillows
|
Textiles/Furs
- Rug or blanket
- Wall hanging
- Hand-made quilt/ photo quilt
- Handbag
- Craft kit, e.g. embroidery or fabrics for sewing
- Overcoat
- Faux fur clothing
- Faux fur car seat covers, steering wheel cover, etc
- Faux fur cushions
|
14th Anniversary
|
Ivory
- Ivory-coloured clothing
- Ivory-coloured roses
- Faux ivory sculpture or carving
- Faux ivory pendant or other jewellery
|
Gold Jewellery
- Ring
- Earrings
- Necklace
- Bracelet
- Anklet
- Toe ring, belly ring, etc.
- Don't forget about modern or antique white gold or rose gold jewellery
- Personalised jewellery - engraved or name pendants, rings etc.
|
15th Anniversary
|
Crystal
|
Watches
- Wrist watch - sports, gold, stainless steel, two-toned, fashion, interchangeable, etc.
- Pocket watch
- Pendant watch
- Locket watch with photo of couple or children
- Personalised watch with message, photo, name, etc.
|
20th Anniversary
|
China
- Vase (filled with flowers)
- Anniversary platter/plate (buy 'as is' or hand decorate)
- Fine china cup and saucer set
- Fine china dinner setting
- China serving platter
- Ornament/figurine/art piece
- Porcelain lantern/lamp
- China teapot
- English bone china cup and saucer set
- China photo frame
- Trip to China
- Chinese Restaurant Banquet - in Chinatown
|
Platinum
- Watch
- Jewellery - engraved rings, pendants, etc.
- Platinum suite at a hotel
|
25th Anniversary
|
Silver
- Jewellery
- Photo frame or album
- Candlesticks
- Jewellery/trinket box
- Silver pen
- Silver wine goblets or champagne flutes
|
* Same as Traditional - see left
|
30th Anniversary
|
Pearl
- Pearl jewellery - necklace, earrings, ring, pendant, watch, etc
- Items with mother of pearl inlay - e.g. chess set, guitar, furniture, world globe
- Swarovski crystal clam with pearl
- Diving experience
|
Diamond
|
35th Anniversary
|
Coral
- A trip to a coral reef
- An island holiday
- Coral pendant, earrings or other jewellery
|
Jade
- Jade jewellery
- Jade sculpture or carving
- Trip to China
- Green-coloured items - furniture, clothing, etc.
|
40th Anniversary
|
Ruby
- Ruby jewellery - earrings, bracelet, necklace, ring, pendant, jewellery set, etc.
- Ruby picture frame
-
- Ruby red coloured items - roses, clothing, etc.
|
* Same as Traditional - see left
|
45th Anniversary
|
Sapphire
- Sapphire jewellery
- Sapphire crystal/s
- Sapphire-coloured items - bedding, luggage for a holiday, etc.
|
* Same as Traditional - see left
|
50th Anniversary
|
Gold
- Ring
- Necklace
- Pendant
- Bracelet
- Earrings
- Watch
- Gold pen
- Gold-plated items - glassware, ornaments, photo frames, etc.
- A gold nugget/bar!
|
* Same as Traditional - see left
|
55th Anniversary
|
Emerald
- Emerald jewellery - gemstone or natural/raw
- Emerald crystals
- Emerald sculptures, carvings, ornaments.
- Emerald-coloured items
- A rainforest trip
|
* Same as Traditional - see left
|
60th Anniversary
|
Diamond
- Diamond anniversary ring
- Necklace
- Pendant
- Bracelet
- Earrings
- Diamond-studded items
|
* Same as Traditional - see left
|
Special Acknowledgements
If you live in the UK, Australia, Canada or New Zealand you can get a letter from the Queen or Governor-General for 60th, 65th and 70th anniversaries, and each year thereafter. You can download an application form here: http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page4895.asp
In Canada, you may request a message from the Governor-General from the 50th Anniversary and every 5th year thereafter. For more details visit: http://www.gg.ca/gg/02/index_e.asp
In the US, those celebrating their 50th Anniversary or greater may request a message from the President. You may complete the application form here: https://app1.whitehouse.gov/greetings/anniversary
Re-Affirming Your Vows
At any stage in a marriage it is a lovely gesture to re-affirm your vows, whether formally with a celebrant and guests, or in private as a couple. The famous singer Seal and his wife re-affirm their vows each and every year, celebrating with close friends and family. They say it keeps them committed to and focused on their marriage and love for each other.