When my hubby and I hit our first anniversary, we hatched a brilliant plan: to exchange traditional gifts each year! It's like our secret little pact, adding a dash of whimsy to our celebrations.
Now, we're not talking about extravagant gestures here. Even if it's just a tiny trinket, it holds a special place in our hearts and serves as a delightful reminder of the promise we made before our first anniversary. It's our way of saying, "Hey, remember when we agreed to make each anniversary extra special?"
We embrace the magic of these traditional gifts, knowing that it's not the size that matters, but the love and sentiment behind them. Whether it's a dainty paper token, a fuzzy cotton surprise, or a flashy piece of silk, each gift becomes a treasured keepsake, forever etched with memories and laughter.
It's incredible how these seemingly small presents pack a punch of joy and nostalgia. They're like delightful time capsules that whisk us back to the early days of our journey together. We beam with delight as we unwrap our annual surprises, knowing that within lies a piece of our shared history, symbolizing the love and adventure that we've embraced.
So here's some idea's for Your Anniversaries!
ANNIVERSARY GIFTS BY YEAR:
1ST YEAR: Paper
As you celebrate your first year together, embrace the symbolism of paper. Consider gifting personalized stationery, a beautifully written love letter, a scrapbook filled with cherished memories, or tickets to a concert or event.
2ND YEAR: Cotton
Cotton represents the comfort and versatility that comes with the second year of marriage. Options for cotton gifts include luxurious bathrobes, cosy blankets, stylish apparel, or personalised cotton items such as monogrammed towels or embroidered pillows.
3RD YEAR: Leather
Leather signifies durability and strength, just like the bond you've built in three years of marriage. Think about leather accessories like wallets, belts, or bags, a stylish leather jacket, or our personalised leather keychains or if you're into travelling together then we also have personalised luggage tags!
4TH YEAR: Fruit & Flowers, or Linen & Silk
Celebrate your fourth anniversary with either a traditional fruit and flowers theme or a more modern approach with linen and silk. For fruit and flowers, consider a basket of exotic fruits, a bouquet of your partner's favourite blooms, or even a subscription to a flower delivery service. If you choose linen and silk, think about luxurious bed sheets, elegant silk scarves, or a linen tablecloth for romantic dinners.
5TH YEAR: Wood
Wood represents the strength and stability of your relationship after five years. Opt for a wooden chopping board with your other halves favourite treats on for a romantic indoor or outdoor picnic. A walnut ring box engraved with their name & special date. For the bookworm how about a personalised bookmark engraved with their initials?
We specialise in wooden anniversary gifts so you can find our wooden anniversary gift guide here:
6TH YEAR: Iron / Candy
The sixth year offers the option of either iron or candy gifts. For iron, consider personalized iron bookends, a cast-iron cookware set, or a decorative iron sculpture. If you prefer candy, indulge your partner's sweet tooth with a gourmet candy basket, a candy-making workshop, or a fun-filled candy-themed date night.
7TH YEAR: Wool/ Copper
Wool and copper symbolize warmth and beauty, respectively. Ideas for wool gifts include cosy wool blankets, soft woollen jumpers, or warm wool socks. For copper, think about elegant copper jewellery, a set of copper mugs for enjoying drinks together, or a copper home décor piece.
8TH YEAR: Bronze
Bronze represents the strength and resilience of your relationship. Consider a bronze sculpture or figurine, a personalized bronze keychain, or even a weekend trip to explore a city renowned for its bronze statues and artwork.
9TH YEAR: Pottery
Pottery signifies the moulding and shaping of your life together. Look for handmade pottery vases, bowls, or mugs, or better still a pottery class or workshop experience, creating memories and maybe even creating the scene from ghost!!
10TH YEAR: Tin/ Aluminium
Tin or aluminium marks a decade of togetherness. Explore options like personalized tin or aluminium jewellery, a stylish tin watch, or even a surprise trip to a destination known for its aluminium architecture or landmarks.
11TH YEAR: Steel
Steel represents strength and endurance. Consider gifts such as personalised steel jewellery, a steel watch, a set of steel kitchen utensils, or a personalised Steel Keyring
12TH YEAR: Silk
Silk signifies luxury and elegance. Explore options like a silk robe or pyjamas, a silk scarf or tie, silk bedsheets, or a romantic silk-themed getaway.
13TH YEAR: Lace
Lace symbolizes beauty and intricacy. Look for lace lingerie or clothing, a lace-trimmed photo album or picture frame, a lace tablecloth or curtains, or a visit to a lace museum or exhibition.
14TH YEAR: Ivory
While traditional, it's important to note that ivory comes from endangered species and its use is controversial and illegal in many places. Instead, consider alternative materials that resemble the beauty of ivory, such as ivory-coloured porcelain, ivory-inspired artwork, or a romantic trip to a destination known for its ivory architecture or history.
15TH YEAR: Crystal
Crystal represents clarity and transparency. Consider gifts like a crystal vase, crystal glassware or decanter set, a crystal chandelier, or a maybe go down the geode route. Don't take them all literally, as that's part of the fun!
20TH YEAR: China / Porcelain
China symbolizes elegance and grace. Look for fine china dinnerware, a delicate china tea set, or how about a trip to China town, delighting in Chinese street food. Porcelain ring dishes & décor are also a perfect addition to a 20th anniversary gift.
25TH YEAR: Silver
Silver represents beauty and sophistication. Explore options like silver jewellery, a silver photo frame or engraved silver keepsake, silver tableware, or a special silver-themed celebration.
30TH YEAR: Pearl
Pearls symbolize purity and wisdom. Consider gifts such as pearl jewellery, a pearl-adorned accessory or watch, a pearl-embellished photo album, or a romantic beach vacation where you can search for natural pearls.
35TH YEAR: Coral
Note that coral reefs are endangered ecosystems, so it's important to consider alternatives that don't harm the environment. Look for coral-inspired gifts such as coral-coloured clothing or accessories, coral-themed artwork, or a donation to a coral conservation organization.
40TH YEAR: Ruby
Ruby represents love and passion. Explore options like ruby jewellery, a romantic ruby-coloured evening gown or tie, a ruby-inspired artwork, or a special trip to a place known for its ruby gemstones.
45TH YEAR: Sapphire
Sapphire symbolizes loyalty and sincerity. Consider gifts such as sapphire jewellery, a sapphire-coloured home décor piece, a romantic sapphire-themed cruise or vacation, or a visit to a sapphire mine or museum.
50TH YEAR: Gold
Gold signifies wealth, strength, and prosperity. Celebrate with gifts like gold jewellery, a gold watch or cufflinks, a luxurious golden anniversary trip, or a special gold-themed party surrounded by family and friends.
55TH YEAR: Emerald
Emerald represents love, rebirth, and vitality. Look for emerald jewellery, a beautiful emerald-themed artwork or home décor item, or a trip to a destination known for its emerald landscapes or gemstone mines.
60TH YEAR: Diamond
Diamond symbolizes everlasting love and strength. Consider diamond jewellery, a diamond-encrusted anniversary band or watch, a memorable diamond-themed experience, or a grand celebration to mark this remarkable milestone.
Even if the gifts may seem "little" in the grand scheme of things, their significance far outweighs their physical size. They serve as gentle reminders of the promises we made, the memories we've created, and the dreams we continue to nurture together. These traditional gifts are not merely objects; they are the embodiment of our shared love story, woven with moments of joy, growth, and unwavering commitment.
By following the tradition of anniversary gifts based on materials, you can add a meaningful and personal touch to your celebrations. Remember to choose gifts that align with your partner's preferences and values while considering sustainable and ethical options. These anniversary gifts will serve as lasting reminders of the love and commitment you share throughout your journey together.