Wedding Anniversaries
Wedding anniversaries exist to celebrate another year of marital commitment. Celebrating anniversaries is a great way to keep a long-lasting love feeling fresh and new. Anniversaries are a great time to reflect and reinvigorate marriage relationships. Anniversaries allow you and your significant other to focus on the love you share and the life you’ve built together.
Anniversary Gift-Giving
Year |
US |
UK |
Modern List* |
1 |
Paper |
Cotton |
Clock |
2 |
Cotton |
Paper |
China |
3 |
Leather |
Leather |
Crystal, Glass |
4 |
Fruit & Flowers |
Linen, Silk |
Appliances |
5 |
Wood |
Wood |
Silverware |
6 |
Iron |
Sugar |
Wooden Objects |
7 |
Wool, Copper |
Woollen |
Dest Sets |
8 |
Bronze |
Salt |
Linens, Lace |
9 |
Pottery |
Copper |
Leather Goods |
10 |
Tin/Aluminum |
Tin |
Diamond Jewelry |
11 |
Steel |
Steel |
Fashion Jewelry |
12 |
Silk |
Silk, Fine Linen |
Pearls, Colored Gems |
13 |
Lace |
Lace |
Textiles, Fur |
14 |
Ivory |
Ivory |
Gold, Jewelry |
15 |
Crystal |
Crystal |
Watches |
20 |
China |
China |
Platinum |
25 |
Silver |
Silver |
Silver |
30 |
Pearl |
Pearl |
Diamond |
35 |
Coral, Jade |
Coral |
Jade |
40 |
Ruby |
Ruby |
Ruby |
45 |
Sapphire |
Sapphire |
Sapphire |
50 |
Gold |
Gold |
Gold |
*curated by the Chicago Public Library
The tradition of giving yearly gifts has evolved over the years. Its origins can be traced back to the medieval times when the Germans would present their wives with silver and gold wreaths on the 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries. The 20th century ushered in the nuclear family, and with it came a more exhaustive list of yearly gift ideas. Giving an anniversary gift from the traditional list can be a fun, but the pressure to give good gifts can understandably become overwhelming. Focusing on intentional intimacy is perhaps the most priceless of all gifts.
Anniversary Travel Trend
A recent travel trend seems to be taking hold with young marriages. Many couples are foregoing the traditional list and creating their own destination celebration lists. Each couple is unique so a list of places to visit based on years wouldn’t work so well. One way to create a travel anniversary list might be to start with a place that has sentimental connection for both individuals, then make separate lists of places near and far. Compare the lists and determine what locations both parties wish to include. Have fun with it and don’t feel pressured to spend more than you can afford.
Celebrating anniversaries is a great way to keep a long-lasting love feeling fresh and new. While it’s true that you should value your spouse every day, it’s easy to fall into a comfortable routine. Anniversaries allow you and your significant other to take a step back and remember why you’re in love and celebrate all that you are and all you do for each other.
Content Editor: Bethany Bayes