by Susan Hibberd

Created on: September 06, 2008

When someone you love reaches their second wedding anniversary, it is nice to show that you remember, and celebrate with them by buying or making them a card, and choosing them an appropriate gift.

By the fifth wedding anniversary, most couples have their home decorated as they want it, and are beginning to collect around them al the things that they like. It can be difficult to find a present that fits with your friends' lifestyle, and which will also appeal to both of them. However, with a bit of thought, you should be able to find a gift that they will treasure.

Traditionally, a couple's fifth wedding anniversary is marked by a present made of wood. The more modern lists suggest that a gift of silverware would be more appropriate. Whichever of these you choose, and whatever your budget, it is possible to get a lovely present if you look around.

The flowers that are associated with the fifth wedding anniversary are daisies, and the semi-precious stone is the turquoise.

WOOD

It is not hard to find gifts made of wood, but you will need to choose one that fits with the lifestyle of the recipient. If they have decorated their home in the current naturals' theme, then any item made of wood will fit into their living space. Instead of the more usual sculptural items, why not see if you can find a picture frame? You can leave it for them to fill with a favourite picture, or choose a picture yourself.

You can find some lovely wooden boxes in shops, especially if you check in those that deal with imported wares. You could choose a cutlery box, a decorative box purely for display, a key cupboard or a letter rack.

If you know what you friends are looking for, and your budget runs to it, you could choose a small item of furniture.

Wood goes very well in the garden, and you could choose one or more wooden items for the garden, such as furniture, or for the summer-house. Over-sized wooden bugs and beetles are quirky and fit well on the wall of a garden shed or outhouse.

SILVERWARE
You could choose some traditional silverware for the dining table, or you could buy something more unusual. Cut glasses with a silver plated rim are nice, or a pair of silver candlesticks. If you visit a silverware or even key-cutting shop, you can find many items that can be engraved with your friends names and a short message.

DAISIES

If your friends are keen gardeners, you could buy some marguerites for the garden or some michaelmas daisies. You could also choose something like osteospermum, which has a daisy-like flower.

Alternatively, you could buy some hand-painted china with a daisy pattern, or a watercolor of daisies in a field.

TURQUOISE

It is not a good idea to buy jewellery for a wedding present, but you could buy a wooden box inlaid with turquoise, which would link with the theme of wood. You could buy something that is coloured turquoise, such as a throw or framed mirror.

Whatever you choose as a gift, wrap it beautifully, and present it with love and it will be gratefully received because it is you who chose it. Happy shopping!

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