WHAT IS AN ANNIVERSARY GIFT?
Celebrating milestones is important. And it’s often customary to celebrate these anniversaries with an appropriate anniversary gift.
But what to choose? That’s the tricky part. With so many options, do you go with a traditional choice or something more modern? Let’s break it down in today’s blog.
Some of the earliest traditions for anniversary gift-giving can be traced back to the 16th century. It’s well documented many Germanic countries were celebrating wedding anniversaries with gold or silver.
In time, the ritual of gift giving evolved to reflect the times. Eventually, this meant several defined lists have become available that are worth considering. These lists include household items, precious gemstones, and even flowers!
ANNIVERSARY GIFTS BY YEAR
In both traditional and modern gifts lists, there is often a hierarchy for gifts. As the years march on, the value of the gifts increases as the material becomes more and more precious.
For instance, in most wedding gift lists, the first year might be celebrated by paper. This takes form in stationary, or a journal or scrapbook, or something else that reflects the couple’s journey so far.
One way to look at things is based on how the relationship grows and evolves over time. These gifts begin to fill gaps in the home as the couple becomes more settled, perhaps even starting a family.
However, this isn’t a hard and fast rule, and there is plenty of variation to be found! One list suggests gold as a one year anniversary gift. And who are we to judge the value of a carnation versus a rose when considering flowers?
All in all, when choosing anniversary gifts by year, it’s best to the let the lists be a guide. After all, we know our partners best, and not every gift option may be the best for them. Thankfully, with the abundance of lists, there are plenty of inspiring options!
TRADITIONAL ANNIVERSARY GIFTS
The traditional anniversary gifts list is probably the one you’re most familiar with and may have heard grandma talk about it. These gifts tend to be hierarchal and increase in value as the years climb. Several traditional lists exist, so we will try to present the most common and interesting options.
1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIFT
- Traditional: Paper
- Modern: Clocks
- Jewelry: Gold
- Flower: Carnation
Paper leads from year one, and then moves to cotton, though Kunz suggests calico in his list found in The Curious Lore of Precious Stones (calico is a textile made from partially processed cotton).
2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIFT
- Traditional: Cotton
- Modern: China
- Jewelry: Garnet
- Flower: Cosmos
In some lists, cotton and paper swap spots, so you could choose either if you prefer. Cotton is a versatile material, and is great for bedding or clothing gifts.
3 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIFT
- Traditional: Leather
- Modern: Crystal, Glass
- Jewelry: Pearls
- Flower: Sunflower
Leather is the preferred third anniversary gift, and this is usually exemplified in handbags for women, and wallets for men. However, any kind of leather good works here! Belts and boots come to mind, but maybe you have another idea?
4 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIFT
- Traditional: Linen, Silk
- Modern: Appliances
- Jewelry: Blue Topaz
- Flower: Geranium
By year four, we start to see traditional anniversary gifts diverge. Linen and silk are often put forth as fabric options, often taking the form of bedsheets. However, others suggest fruits and flowers.
5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIFT
- Traditional: Wood
- Modern: Silverware
- Jewelry: Sapphire
- Flower: Daisy
Year five finds the introduction of wood gifts. This could be a pricey choice like furniture, or something more subdued, like a special decorative carving. Would you choose wood? There’s plenty of branching options, after all!
6 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIFT
- Traditional: Iron
- Modern: Wood
- Jewelry: Amethyst
- Flower: None
At six years, we see iron enter the equation. More prevalent in the past, iron still has a place in the present, such as cast iron for cooking, or wrought iron patio furniture. You could even consider meteorite jewelry. Meanwhile, other sources suggest candy for the sixth anniversary – which, frankly, sounds good any time!
7 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIFT
- Traditional: Wool, Copper
- Modern: Desk Sets
- Jewelry: Onyx
- Flower: None
For the seventh anniversary, copper, wool, and floral gifts step up to the plate. Copper jewelry is seeing a resurgence, especially on the craft and DIY circuit, which makes for a fun and interesting gift. Wool is at home in blankets and cold weather clothing. Floral gifts are an interesting prospect – if your spouse is a gardener, there are plenty of options! Otherwise, flowers are always a thoughtful gift, especially for pairing with something larger.
8 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIFT
- Traditional: Bronze
- Modern: Linen, Lace
- Jewelry: Tourmaline
- Flower: None
Moving up the hierarchy, bronze shows up as an eighth anniversary gift. However, in Kunz’s list, leather is his suggestion. You can always consider the year three options in leather if you prefer. For bronze, there are many décor options, and some jewelry options.
9 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIFT
- Traditional: Pottery, China
- Modern: Leather
- Jewelry: Lapis Lazuli
- Flower: None
Pottery is a popular ninth anniversary gift option. When it comes to pottery, it can be a simple rustic option, but you can also consider fine china. Some sources list straw as a traditional option. If you have any idea of why this works, leave us a comment with your thoughts!
10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIFT
- Traditional: Tin, Aluminum
- Modern: Diamond
- Jewelry: Diamond
- Flower: Daffodil
Tin and aluminum share the spot for tenth anniversary gifts. Notably, aluminum became a popular alternative to tin as the metals share many properties. Both are relatively easy to work with and are light. Symbolically, this metal helps represent the lasting nature of marriage, as tin and aluminum are rust resistant, symbolizing the lasting nature of the relationship.
11 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIFT
- Traditional: Steel
- Modern: Fashion Jewelry
- Jewelry: Turquoise
- Flower: None
For the eleventh anniversary, steel is one option to consider. Steel jewelry is a great choice to embody the strength of your relationship. Steel is increasingly popular in jewelry, especially men’s jewelry, and is great for taking an ion plated finish.
12 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIFT
- Traditional: Silk
- Modern: Pearls, Colored Gems
- Jewelry: Jade
- Flower: None
Silk is the preferred gift for the twelfth anniversary. Most often this can take the form so sheets or pajamas. However, it could also be a scarf or other item of clothing. Agate becomes an option here among gemstones.
13 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIFT
- Traditional: Lace
- Modern: Textiles, Furs
- Jewelry: Citrine
- Flower: None
Even today, the number thirteen carries an unluck connotation. As a result, there is some superstition surrounding this anniversary. Moonstone is one anniversary gift option, as the stone is said to counteract the malign influence of the unlucky number. Alternatively, lace is a popular traditional gift. Some say it’s a gift you can open twice. 😉
14 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIFT
- Traditional: Ivory
- Modern: Gold Jewelry
- Jewelry: Opal
- Flower: None
Ivory is the traditional fourteenth anniversary gift. However, the ivory trade has sharply declined due to the harmful nature of the industry. As an alternative, Kunz has suggested moss agate as a gemstone option. Others might prefer horn, such as buffalo horn (pictured above).
15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIFT
- Traditional: Crystal
- Modern: Watches
- Jewelry: Ruby
- Flower: Rose
Lastly, we come to the fifteenth anniversary. The Crystal Anniversary most often takes the form of stemware, like wine or champagne glasses – after all, there is plenty to toast! Alternatively, there are many crystal jewelry options which are suitable. Quartz and glass could also be considered here and make a showing in some traditional lists.
MILESTONE GIFTS
After fifteen years of gift giving, most lists move towards celebrating milestones – usually about every five years. Though some lists might go by every ten. How you choose to do this is up to you! Would you prefer five years or ten?
20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
- Traditional: China
- Modern: Platinum
- Jewelry: Emerald
- Flower: Aster
25 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
- Traditional: Silver
- Modern: Sterling Silver
- Jewelry: Silver
- Flower: Iris
30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
- Traditional: Pearl
- Modern: Diamond
- Jewelry: None
- Flower: Lily
35 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
- Traditional: Coral, Jade
- Modern: Jade
- Jewelry: Emerald
- Flower: None
40 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
- Traditional: Ruby
- Modern: Ruby
- Jewelry: Ruby
- Flower: Gladiolas
45 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
- Traditional: Sapphire
- Modern: Sapphire
- Jewelry: Sapphire
- Flower: None
50 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
- Traditional: Gold
- Modern: Gold
- Jewelry: Gold
- Flower: Yellow Rose and Violets
FINDING YOUR ANNIVERSARY GIFT
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Find your next anniversary gift at Shop LC!
[…] Also, garnet is also the January birthstone and a traditional gift for the second wedding anniversary. […]