Weddings are joyful occasions. It is a time when two people bond together in marriage to form a lasting relationship. Wedding anniversaries are yearly celebrations in remembrance of that special occasion. We celebrate wedding anniversaries in various ways. Renewal of wedding vows, candle light dinners and gift giving are just some of the ways we celebrate our wedding anniversaries.
But what is an appropriate gift to give for an anniversary? In 1922, Emily Post suggested traditional gifts for the first 15 yearly wedding anniversaries and gifts for every 5 year anniversaries thereafter. Gifts for the early wedding anniversaries tend to be inexpensive and rather practical while gifts for the later wedding anniversaries tend to be more elaborate and expensive.
Below is a list of the traditional yearly wedding anniversaries with gift ideas and suggestions for each.
First Wedding Anniversary: Paper Suggested gifts: stationary in a favorite color, a personal journal, first edition of a favorite book, a framed wedding invitation from Keepsake Frames and Flowers.com
Second Wedding Anniversary: Cotton Suggested gifts: high thread count sheet set, personalized quilt or throw blanket, tapestry wall hanging, towels
Fourth Wedding Anniversary: Fruit or Flowers Suggested gifts: fruit basket, floral arrangement, flowering plant or shrub
Fifth Wedding Anniversary: Wood Suggested gifts: furniture, jewelry boxes, a framed photograph from Keepsake Frames and Flowers.com
Sixth Wedding Anniversary: Candy or Iron Suggested gifts: cookie bouquet, box of chocolates, wrought iron picture frame or wall hanging, home d'cor items
Seventh Wedding Anniversary: Wool or Copper Suggested gifts: warm coat, scarf and gloves, yard d'cor such as wind chimes, copper birdbaths, pottery or fire pit
Eighth Wedding Anniversary: Bronze or Pottery Suggested gifts: bronze sculptures, yard items such as a bird bath or sundial
Ninth Wedding Anniversary: Pottery Suggested gifts: ceramic pots, wall hangings, sculptures, tableware Tenth Wedding Anniversary: Tin or Aluminum Suggested gifts: tea and coffee tins, decorative boxes, aluminum watches, tableware, home d'cor items
Wedding anniversaries can be celebrated in many different ways. Giving a traditional wedding gift is just one way to celebrate. The most important thing is to remember to celebrate in a way that is special to you.
If you follow along with wedding traditions it is very likely that you know that the traditional wedding anniversary gift for a first anniversary would be paper. This could really give you a lot of room to work if you put some imagination into it. Steer clear from gift certificates unless you are absolutely sure that your spouse is going to love it.
Now having mentioned that if you plan to give money it will go over great if it is presented in the proper way. Normally a lot is sacrificed in the first year of marriage for being able to set up a new home. If you connect the gift of money with an unfortunately neglected hobby or interested it will be really well accepted.
For example if your spouse is really handy around the house how about a toolbox with some money placed inside? Books can be an great choice for a first wedding anniversary gift. The thing that you should keep in mind with giving books as a gift is that you should avoid giving them the latest page turner you should pick out something that they will be able to cherish for years.
For example if your spouse is a car buff then perhaps a set of fix it books for cars. If your other half loves to entertain: then how about a set of books dealing with cooking and throwing parties to give them some great new ideas. If they have a book that they have loved since they were little then how about a first edition.Getting tickets to some type of special event would be a great idea for a first anniversary gift.
Go see a concert or a play of a concert of a band that both of your enjoy. Plan a nice dinner out before the event and make a whole day of it.Keeping along that train of thought a well written poem or love letter can be really well accepted if it is something that truly comes from the heart.
You should also include a great piece of jewelry or a great box of your loved ones favorite candies.If your better half is technologically minded or has a great love of photography then you simply can't go wrong with a nice quality printer would be a well received gift. Another great photographic related gift would be a photo album filled with great pictures from your first year together.A first wedding anniversary is a period in time that should be celebrated together.
So when you are thinking about a great gift you should really consider something that you both can do together. You could book a night at a bed and breakfast, a tropical vacation or even a weekend at a favorite campground just as long as it is something that you both enjoy doing.All you need to do is put in a little time and a bit of thought and your first anniversary will definitely be a time to remember.
Both Sharon Lecompte & Gen Wright are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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