Anniversary Present Guide
Anniversary presents fall into two main categories: The presents you should buy every year for your better half and the anniversary present you buy for somebody else’s big anniversaries.
Custom in some countries dictate that the 5th year anniversary traditionally requires a present in wood.
The materials associated with the various years of marriage become more durable and valuable the longer the marriage. But we would argue that oak trumps glass, silk, crystal and even some of the metals!
We do not think oak anniversary presents should be limited to 5th wedding anniversaries alone. Sticking to tradition, by the time you get to the Ruby, Gold and Diamond anniversaries, the presents become less realistic, particularly when you are buying for somebody else’s day, so an oak present is always a good idea!
Here is a list of the most popular traditional wedding anniversary presents for each year:
- 1st anniversary: Paper
- 2nd anniversary: Cotton
- 3rd anniversary: Leather
- 4th anniversary: Fruit or Flowers
- 5th anniversary: Wood
- 6th anniversary: Candy or Iron
- 7th anniversary: Copper or Wool
- 8th anniversary: Bronze
- 9th anniversary: Pottery or Willow
- 10th anniversary: Tin or Aluminum
- 11th anniversary: Steel
- 12th anniversary: Silk or Linen
- 13th anniversary: Lace
- 14th anniversary: Ivory
- 15th anniversary: Crystal
- 20th anniversary: China
- 25th anniversary: Silver
- 30th anniversary: Pearl
- 35th anniversary: Coral
- 40th anniversary: Ruby
- 45th anniversary: Sapphire
- 50th anniversary: Gold
- 55th anniversary: Emerald
- 60th anniversary: Diamonds
Wedding anniversaries are a joyous occasion to commemorate the love, bond and dedication shared between a couple. It is especially important to mark the occasion with a meaningful, special and thoughtful present. Whether the couple have been married for one year or fifty years, anniversaries deserves to be celebrated!
Presents for your own anniversary
Forgetting, or not making a big deal about your own anniversaries is never a good idea. I am speaking from experience...
It is easy to find a gift that fits in with your way of life whether it is something for your morning breakfast routine, a swing as a playful destination in your garden or a tray for your TV suppers.
Think about your hobbies, lifestyle, habits and home. Maybe engrave a nickname or a funny saying you use. Commission something special for the home you are making together, maybe a cheese board for your cosy evenings in or a chopping board encouraging you to cook together…
The bonus is that whatever you buy also becomes part of your own every day.
Presents for somebody else’s big anniversary
When it comes to other people’s wedding anniversaries it is normally only for the rather big milestones that are celebrated with a present from somebody else.
A bench engraved with the names of grandchildren or a family saying is the most popular present for your parents wedding anniversary. The present becomes a focal point of the celebration on the day and a daily reminder of the occasion for years to come.
If you are invited to a wedding anniversary party you would also be expected to bring a present. We have a range of suitable gifts for any budget and any sentiment. You can be as romantic or as cheeky as you like. With the engraving of your choice you can make sure your present is perfect for your couple!
Solid advice
Life moves fast and we quickly stop counting the days, but each day counts. Learning to appreciate every day not only means that the days will be better, it probably also means you might actually make it to those milestone anniversaries!
The romantic husband who commissioned the tray on the left didn’t wait for the silver anniversary, but simply made a fuss about getting to twenty three.
The only thing we have is NOW - go for the picnic, drink the champagne, sit a while on the bench in the garden with your cups of coffee. Before you know it you will be celebrating Pearl, Ruby and Golden Anniversaries, as long as you learn to celebrate every day in between!
