by Susan Hibberd

Created on: September 03, 2008

When your friends have a wedding anniversary, you want to surprise them with a thoughtful gift. Whether or not they are having a formal celebration, it is nice to remember their special day and to let them know that you are thinking about them.

A first wedding anniversary is very special, and a newly-wed couple might like to spend it on their own, celebrating quietly. They will, however, appreciate a thoughtful gift and a card.

The traditional gifts for a first wedding anniversary are usually centred around one of the traditional or modern materials associate with the date. For a first wedding, the traditional material is paper and the modern item is a clock. The flower associated with the anniversary is the carnation.

A wedding anniversary gift was traditionally given to a bride and groom who are still putting together their home, and are collecting belongings. In these days of long engagements and credit cards, a newly-wed couple don't usually need too many things, and often like to choose items to their own taste, anyway. Gone are the days of be grateful for what you get'!

A thoughtful first anniversary gift based on the theme of paper would be a collection of photographs you have saved throughout the year. These might be of the couple themselves, or of their moving-in day, or shots of their house before they started changing it to suit their own needs. You can leave pages blank for them to fill in.

You could also give them a memory album filled with hand-written thoughts that have been filled in by friends.

Another paper gift you could choose would be one or more of the modern furniture items made from recycled paper. If you aren't sure whether the couple would like a large item, you can choose waste-paper bins, bowls and containers made of woven and stitched paper.

Paintings and drawings on a beautiful hand-made paper would be a suitable gift. Perhaps you know a local artist who could personalize the piece. You might also be able to find a calligrapher who could design a piece of work for your friends.

If you want to give a clock, you should find out what clocks your friends already have. Perhaps a small mantle clock would be suitable. You could also choose a clock for the garden, which you can find online or in your local garden center. These come in many varied designs, from contemporary and chic to weird and wonderful.

Once you have chosen a gift for your friends, I suggest you also choose a bunch or carnations. If you can get a bunch in the colours used by the bride in her bouquet, that would make a wonderful addition to the gift. She will be thrilled to know you remembered, and happy to have a reminder of her special day.

Learn more about this author, Susan Hibberd.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.