Anniversary Gift Year-by-Year: Our Full Inspiration & Guide
Giving specific gifts to commemorate anniversary years likely began in Ancient Rome or Medieval Europe, but most evidence points to the tradition beginning in 18th-century Germany and Netherlands. German and Dutch culture have both celebrated the 25th and 50th anniversaries through gifts of silver and gold, mainly wreaths, since the 1700s. The tradition carried over into the UK during the Victorian era, when love matches for marriage became more common, eventually making its way to the United States with the colonization of the New World.
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Whether you choose to celebrate your wedding anniversary milestones with traditional or modern gifts, each year in the marriage is even more precious than the last, and the value of each passing year together is reflected by increasing values of gifts. Anniversary gifts need not necessarily be expensive, though, as the symbolism is what matters most, and a token gift for each year would serve just as well as a reminder to reflect upon the meaning of each.
Presented below are traditional and modern anniversayr gifts by year, as they have come to be celebrated in the U.S., and their symbolic meanings:
|
Year |
Traditional |
Modern |
|
1st |
Paper: clean slate, as marriage is still new |
Clock: the eternity couples have together |
|
2nd |
Cotton: lives becoming intertwined |
Fine china: delicacy and beuaty of first years of marriage |
|
3rd |
Leather: protection of the marriage |
Glass: fragile, like love and marriage |
|
Fruit & Flowers or Linen & Silk: symbolizing marriage bliss |
Appliances: as couple’s lives function together as one |
|
|
5th |
Wood: representing established roots of the marriage |
Silver: practical, as old wedding gifts begin to wear |
|
6th |
Iron or Candy: strength, sweetness or the union |
Wood: strength of the couple’s marriage |
|
7th |
Wool or Copper: representing warmth and security |
Desk set: a practical gift that can be shared by the household |
|
8th |
Bronze: an alloy, symbolizing complete union of two lives |
Linens: practical, to replace older wedding gifts |
|
9th |
Pottery: shaping of a marriage through experiences of two lives |
Leather: strength and durability of the marriage |
|
10th |
Tin or Aluminum: protection of marriage from corrosion |
Diamonds: celebrating a precious milestone |
|
11th |
Steel: strength and durability of the marriage |
Fashion jewelry: fun gift, showing affection |
|
12th |
Silk: luxury item, symbolizing value of relationship |
Pearl: rare, symblizing value of relationship |
|
13th |
Lace: beauty of a long-lasting marriage |
Fux furs or fine textiles: beauty of a lasting marriage |
|
14th |
Ivory or gift representing rare animal: value of the relationship |
Gold: symblizes the worth of the relationship |
|
15th |
Crystal: relatively expensive; time investment deserves financial one |
Watch: investment of time in the marriage |
|
20th |
China: reminder of the fragility of love |
Platinum: reminder of the strength of the union |
|
25th |
Silver: reminder of marriage being precious, strength of bond |
Silver: reminder of marriage being precious, strength of bond |
|
30th |
Pearl: Peace, beauty, celebrates rarity of anniversary year 30 |
Diamond: beauty and strength of such a lasting marriage |
|
35th |
Coral: protection from harm |
Jade: luck and protection |
|
40th |
Ruby: reminder of passion in love |
Ruby: reminder of passion in love |
|
45th |
Sapphire: virtue, faithfulness, good fortune |
Sapphire: virtue, faithfulness, good fortune |
|
50th |
Gold: symbolizing valuable and prized marriage milestone |
Gold: symbolizing valuable and prized marriage milestone |
|
55th |
Emerald: faith, hope, and love |
Emerald: faith, hope, and love |
|
60th |
Diamond: symbol of the value and durability of the marriage |
Diamond: symbol of the value and durability of the marriage |
Gifts for anniversaries also include certain flowers and colors for each year. Stop by for more information on the meaning and symbolism behind each anniversary gift by year, and find the perfect anniversary gift for your spouse, friend, or family member, today!
