Anniversary Gift Ideas

by: Diandra Bautista
2007-05-01

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One of the most thoughtful things you could do for friend and family is to remember their Wedding Anniversaries.

Celebrating it with them is not always an option, though. You don’t want to come out like a third wheel. So it might be better if you just gave them gifts.

Giving presents for a wedding anniversary is about finding gifts that represent the strong bond that the couple has developed over their years of being together. While giving something useful is a good way to start, you can do better by giving them a gift that symbolizes their enduring love for each other.

Numbers and Symbols

Traditionally, there are corresponding symbolic items for anniversaries. They are the following:

Number of Years	Symbolic Material
1	Paper
5	Wood
10	Tin/Aluminum
25	Silver Jubilee
50	Golden Jubilee
75	Diamond Jubilee

For this article, we have omitted anniversaries that are not commonly celebrated.

It All Starts With One

The first anniversary is arguably the most important milestone in a couple’s marriage. Without a first, there will never be anything next.

Most couples celebrating a first wedding anniversary would be pretty young, so it would be a great idea to encourage them to travel together. One good idea is to give them something that they may need for a trip, like discount coupons (or gift certificates) to a travel agency, a travel guide book to any exotic locations that the couple may find interesting, or even a compass.

Those wanting to stick to the traditional Paper Anniversary could give away a greeting card, some stationery (custom-made ones will do nicely) with designs that represent things that the couple are interested in, or a subscription to their favorite magazine.

Facing Five

Hitting the five-year mark of a marriage is a good sign that the couple is stable. It is a milestone that marks the growing strength of a couple’s relationship, which makes it associated with wood.

Giving the couple some woodwork is an excellent way to express your congratulations. Some simple furniture like a pair of wooden chairs, a small bookshelf, or a little cabinet would be extremely pleasant. Those on a budget could opt for wooden bookends, small sculptures or a wine rack (wine optional).

A Decade’s Dance

10 years is a long time, enough to endure enough hardships and trials to be considered a flexible yet durable individual, The same is true with couples. A marriage that lasts ten years is proof of the couple’s ability to be flexible (much like aluminum) in dealing with problems.

You may give the couple something metallic (it doesn’t really have to be aluminum) like a metal sculpture, small furniture, or a strong metal case for them to put things in. You may also give them a chrome metal photo frame. You can even take a picture of them yourself (if you're pretty handy with a camera) and put that in the frame.

TICKET TO HAPPINESS. Give the couple some time to relax by scoring tickets to their favorite movie.

It would also be very thoughtful of you to give them tickets to a play, movie, or any other event where they could enjoy each other’s company and celebrate 10 years of enjoying happiness and enduring stress, of romantic moments and occasional misunderstandings.

25 To Life

The Silver Jubilee (25 years) is the most commonly celebrated wedding anniversary. It is when couples and their friends work together to make it a truly memorable occasion.

There is no excuse for being cheap in this occasion. Giving them something silver — matching bracelets, engraved coins, or silver watches — is the best option you have.

Of course, a personalized gift will always be more treasured and memorable. One good idea is to create a photo album (silver cover preferred) with a collection of pictures of the couple's memorable moments from the time they got married up to the present. Add some flair to it by putting in some decorations, much like cutouts of a scrapbook. Don’t stop your creativity from flowing.

Should the couple choose to celebrate their Silver Jubilee by themselves, volunteer to arrange for them a cruise or a second honeymoon trip.

The Golden Age

The 50-year anniversary of a couple’s marriage is not commonly celebrated because few marriages last this long. But if ever they do make it this far, it is a time for a lot of celebration.

A Golden Jubilee, much like the silver, is another milestone that you can’t pass up as "just-another" wedding anniversary. So don’t hesitate to give them all the best gifts and wishes.

As gold is the symbolic item representing 50 years, it is advisable to give them something made of gold. A gold watch with some engraving is an exquisite present.

In case you can’t spare that much cash, being part of the planning for the event is also a good gift. Volunteer to be the planner if you have good organizational skills, a photographer/videographer if you’re good with a camera, or even an usher if you really feel like giving them all you’ve got. Anything you can do to help out in the preparations or during the event itself is a welcome treat to the couple.

Diamonds Are Forever

If reaching 75 years or more in married life is not proof of a love that is eternal, nothing is.

A Diamond Anniversary is a very rare occurrence so it is a great honor to actually witness or be part of one.

GLASS IS CLASS. Anything that resembles a diamond is a nifty present.

You don’t really have to give the couple real diamonds, anything diamond-like will do. A glass sculpture of huge diamond, or a heart, would do nicely. If you are very generous and would like to give real diamonds, good and well then.

Always remember, though, that the price of the gift doesn't matter much. The fact that you even bothered to remember a day that they treasure is enough proof of your thoughtfulness, and a testament to your heartfelt congratulations.

If you have any comments and suggestions, you may send them to info@hotoccasions.com. We'd love to hear from you.

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