The custom of exchanging gifts on wedding anniversaries can be traced back to the middle ages and till date is the commonest practice between couples who wish to celebrate the reinforcement of the special tie that they share in their unison through marriage. Whether you complete 1 or 10, 5 or 50 years of marriage, wedding anniversary gifts by year are always special and are held close to the heart, forever. So when you gift something to your spouse on your anniversary, take every little care to make it special, memorable and unique.
If you are looking for some information on traditional anniversary gifts by year, here comes a guide –
First wedding anniversary gift ideas
Traditionally, Paper items are gifted on the completion of the first year of marriage. For instance, you can gift a designer stationery set to your spouse, filling the first page of the writing pad with a long and elaborate love letter expressing your feelings for her. Or you can gift her some painting, a sketch or your marriage vow framed in a beautiful encasing.
Second wedding anniversary gift ideas
The second wedding anniversary gift idea, if you go by the traditional ladder, is Cotton. You have a lot of choice here and can select from beautiful bedspreads to embroidered dresses, whichever your spouse would prefer.
Third wedding anniversary gift ideas
Leather gifts mark the completion of the third year of your togetherness and you can get beautiful gifts in this range as well. For instance, gift each other purse, wallet or an office folder/laptop bag. Excellent embellished items are also available now in leather goods.
Fourth wedding anniversary gift ideas
Fruits and flowers were traditionally gifted on the fourth wedding anniversary and to keep it up, you can gift your spouse a lovely bouquet of her favorite flowers with a basket of ripe and juicy fresh fruits.
Fifth wedding anniversary gift ideas
Wood is the fifth wedding anniversary gift and you can take a pick from the loveliest of engraved wooden ring boxes, jewelry boxes or photo frames that are up on the racks.
Sixth to eleventh wedding anniversary gift ideas
Wedding anniversary gifts by year six comes to focus on metals and continues like that till year 11, with each year ushering in a new metal idea. Check out the list below –
Year 6 Iron
Year 7 copper
Year 8 bronze
Year 9 pottery
Year 10 tin
Year 11 Steel
A variety of décor and personal use items are available in these metals and you can buy your spouse anything which he/she has fascination for amongst these.
Twelfth wedding anniversary gift idea
Silk is the traditional gift here and beautiful silk gowns, dresses, handkerchiefs, robes and shirts can be chosen as anniversary gifts.
Thirteenth wedding anniversary gift idea
Lace items can be gifted on this occasion and you can choose from lace lingerie to lace dresses, whichever pleases your spouse
Fourteenth wedding anniversary gift idea
Ivory items were traditionally gifted on the 14th wedding anniversary and lovely jewelry and décor items are available in this range.
15th to 50th wedding anniversary gift ideas
From the 15th year, traditional anniversary gifts by year occur every 5 years and you can go by the list given below if you wish-
15th year – Crystal
20th year – China
25th Year – Silver
30th Year – Pearl
35th Year –Coral
40th Year – Ruby
45th Year – Sapphire
50th Year –Gold
While these are strictly traditional ideas of anniversary gifts by year, you can always append it with creative schemes that you may have in your mind. For instance a romantic holiday or a luxury cruise, combined with the traditional gifts can give a tender and passionate touch to your efforts and make your wedding anniversary special and unique in every way.
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nice read and very informative. you can also throw in a couple of lingerie to spice thing up a bit.
i think paper for the first wedding anniversary is really cheap and a bad idea, i think most wives that get a paper card etc would be very upset.
Thanks for posting this. I was unaware of the types of items signifying the early years of marriage. I agree paper isn’t the most glamourous to represent the first year, but I like the idea of a framed sketch or painting.
Many people are unaware of the anniversary themes for the early years, certainly those less than say the tenth anniversary.
Very useful post…got to say though you do have to be quite imaginative and creative as you say for the first few years.
My father and mother last friday celebrate the gold anniversary, really this was an unique moment, I saw them very happies
A great list you have here. It’s something couples can look forward to every wedding anniversary.
In Poland it is still paper anniversary (first year)
I wonder if people still follow this tradition for anniversary gift giving.
In Poland my country it is still paper anniversary.
Fotograf´s last [type] ..Zakopane Snow Polo 2012
I knew about the gold anniversary, but had no idea there were so many different traditions! Thanks a bunch for sharing, very informative.