Appropriate Traditional Anniversary Gifts: A Guide and List by Anniversary Year
There seems to be different theories on when and how the original Anniversary Gift List first came into being.
One theory states that it started back in the Victorian era, although it only included a few of the anniversaries that we celebrate today.
In a book titled Wedding Anniversaries: from paper to diamond written by Cookie Lee it is written that "in 1937 the American National Retail Jeweler Association issued the more comprehensive list, which associated a material for each anniversary year up to the 20th and then each fifth year after that up to the 75th, with the exception of the 65th."
And then there is a third theory written by Robin A. King in the book titled Happy Anniversary! A Guide to Fun and Romantic Anniversary Celebrations, that states that it was in fact Emily Post in 1922, who listed a symbolic anniversary for the first fifteen years of marriage and one for every five years after that, this is the basis for the lists that we use today.
Regardless of who originally came up with the idea, following the list can be a fun tradition to enjoy with your own family and friends.
The following is a list of the Traditional gifts associated with each anniversary (there is also a more Modern list available) and some unique gift ideas that you can use to help loved ones celebrate them.
1st Anniversary - Paper:
- Fun paper gifts include Money, Romantic novels, Airline Tickets, Show or Concert Tickets, Shares of Stock in a company, Wedding Anniversary Memory Book, Fake Newspaper with your own headlines, gift certificates to a spa or favorite restaurant.
2nd Anniversary - Cotton
- Luxurious cotton sheets, cotton shirts, cotton jacket, cotton underwear, cotton nightgown or robe
3rd Anniversary - Leather
- Leather purse, wallet, coat or jacket, belt, desk pad, briefcase, watch bands,
4th Anniversary - Books, Flowers and Fruit
- Books by favorite author, memory albums, Chocolate covered fruit, fruit basket, fruit of the month club, bouquet of favorite flowers
5th Anniversary - Wood
- Wooden massager, wine box, cigar box, Welsh Love Spoon, wooden desk set, wooden bedside table box, furniture, plant a tree in celebration
6th Anniversary - Candy or Sugar
- Chocolates, confectionary candy, candy hearts with sayings, chocolate body paint
7th Anniversary - Copper
- Copper bracelets, copper clock, copper cookware, copper cookie jar, copper vase,
8th Anniversary - Bronze
- bronze statue, bronze planter, bronze lamp, bronze shelf, bronze necklace,
9th Anniversary - Pottery
- figurines, bowls, dishes, statue, jug, vase,
10th Anniversary - Tin
- tin of chocolates, tin of confectionary candy, 10th Anniversary Wine Box, biscuit or cookie tins, tin canisters
11th Anniversary - Steel
- cutlery, steel appliances, steel art piece, steel bracelet, steel ring
12th Anniversary - Silk
- silk sheets, silk flowers, silk scarves, silk ties, silk blouses, silk underwear, silk pajamas, silk boxers
13th Anniversary - Lace
- lace tablecloths, lace curtains, lace gloves, lace blouses, lace dress,
14th Anniversary Ivory
- ivory rings, ivory bracelet, ivory necklace, ivory statue, ivory sculpture
15th Anniversary Crystal
- crystal figurines, glasses, goblets, vase, necklace, charms,
20th Anniversary - China
- dishes, vase, statue,
25th Anniversary - Silver
- silver dinnerware, silver tea set, silver picture frames, silver candlesticks, silver tray, silver letter openers, silver paperweights,
30th Anniversary - Pearl
- pearl bracelet, pearl ring, pearl necklace, pendants, earrings,
35th Anniversary - Coral
- coral necklace, coral bracelet, coral ring, coral earrings,
40th Anniversary - Ruby
- ruby necklace, ruby ring, ruby bracelet, ruby pendant, earrings
45th Anniversary Sapphire
- sapphire ring, sapphire necklace, sapphire bracelet, sapphire pendant, sapphire earrings,
50th Anniversary - Gold
- gold rimmed wine glasses, gold plated candlesticks, gold plated picture frame, gold paperweights, gold dipped flowers, gold bracelet, gold ring, gold necklace, gold earrings,
55th Anniversary - Emerald
- Emerald earrings, ring, bracelet, necklace, emerald green vase, emerald green candy dish
60th Anniversary - Diamond
- diamond cuff links, diamond tie pin, diamond ring, diamond bracelet, diamond necklace, diamond pennant,
70th Anniversary - Platinum
- Platinum mug, goblet, Platinum CD collection, platinum tableware, platinum
kitchen tools, platinum watch, platinum necklace, platinum bracelet, platinum ring,
75th Anniversary - Diamond - Same as the 60th Anniversary -
- diamond cuff links, diamond tie pin, diamond ring, diamond bracelet, diamond necklace, diamond pennant.
Need more ideas? Simply go to Google.com or Amazon.com, type in the "material" and find other creative gift ideas that you can give.