Wedding Day is an important event for any couple’s life, because it brings together relatives and friends to celebrate the joy and happiness of the couple.
Wedding anniversaries are therefore excellent opportunities to celebrate love between two people; fostering the joy they both derive from each other’s company, in spite of the endless trials and tribulations that come with the marital journey.
In many cultures, wedding anniversaries are regarded as very important occasions, and they are widely celebrated in significant and meaningful ways.
Couples are once again reminded of their spiritual and physical commitment to each other, and much effort usually goes into sourcing for the perfect anniversary gift which will be meaningful and symbolic for the happy couple.
Sure, finding the right gifts for couples during their early years of marriage can be relatively simple (since they still need a lot of the home making essentials), but later on in their marriage, coming up with an appropriate anniversary gift idea which will be treasured and appreciated is more difficult.
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How it All Began
Gift-giving to commemorate wedding anniversaries can be traced back to the medieval times.
In ancient Rome, husbands would present their wives with garlands of silver to signify their 25th anniversary together, and golden wreaths when they attained the 50 year marriage landmark.
The custom really gained footing during the early years of the 20th century with both the modern and traditional gift lists becoming properly documented and adhered to in the US, UK, and other places in Europe.
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What are the Anniversary Themes for Each Year? – Gemstones, Colors and Flowers
The modern and traditional anniversary gift themes are very popular and followed, dictating the universal theme for anniversaries by year.
A few of these anniversary gift themes have been modified over several thousands of years.
In addition to modern and traditional anniversary gifts, there are also wedding anniversary colors, flowers, gemstones and jewelry linked with each year, that can act as a guide for selecting your gift and assist you in planning for anniversary celebrations.
The rose however, is usually considered as the perfect substitute gift for any anniversary; especially if the woman in question adores roses, and its shade can often be selected to match with the color connected to the anniversary being celebrated. Find all the best florist in Singapore that deliver online
We have included a table in this guide detailing all the contemporary and traditional themes linked with every anniversary year.
We have listed the anniversary gift symbols and themes for each year with the hope that they will offer suggestions for creative anniversary gift selections for him, for her, for your parents and for any other couples marking their anniversaries.
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WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
TRADITIONAL THEME
MODERN THEME
COLOR THEME
GEMSTONE
Year 1
Paper
Clocks
Yellow, Gold
Golden Jewellery (no specified stone)
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Year 2
Cotton
China
Red
Garnet
Year 3
Leather
Glass or Crystal
White, Jade
Pearl
Year 4
Silk/Linen or
Flowers/Fruits
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Electrical Appliances
Green, Blue
Blue Topaz
Year 5
Wood
Silverware
Pink, Blue, Turquoise
Sapphire
Year 6
Iron or Candy
Wood
White, Purple, Turquoise
Amethyst
Year 7
Wool or Copper
Brass
Off-white, Yellow
Onyx
Year 8
Salt, Bronze, or Pottery
Lace or Linen
Bronze
Tourmaline
Year 9
Copper, Willow, or Pottery
Leather
Terracotta
Lapis Lazuli
Year 10
Tin or Aluminum
Diamond jewelry
Silver, Blue
Diamond
Year 11
Steel
Jewelry and Fashion Accessories
Turquoise
Turquoise
Year 12
Silk, Linen, or Home Decor
Pearls
White oyster
Jade
Year 13
Lace
Furs, and Textiles
White
Citrine
Year 14
Ivory
Golden jewelry
Ivory
Opal
Year 15
Crystal
Clocks or Watches
Red
Ruby
Year 16
N/A
Silverwares
Silver
Peridot
Year 17
N/A
Furniture
Yellow
Carnelian
Year 18
N/A
Porcelain
Blue
Cats’ Eye
Year 19
N/A
Bronze
Bronze
Aquamarine
Year 20
China
Platinum
Emerald
White, Emerald green
Year 21
N/A
Nickel/Brass
Orange
Lolite
Year 22
N/A
Copper
Green
Spinel
Year 23
N/A
Silver plates
Silver
Imperial Topaz
Year 24
Opal
Musical instrument
Lavender
Tanzanite
Year 25
N/A
Silver
Silver
Silver jewels
Year 26
N/A
Pictures
N/A
N/A
Year 27
Sculptures
N/A
N/A
N/A
Year 28
N/A
Orchids
Lavender
N/A
Year 29
Furniture
N/A
N/A
N/A
Year 30
Pearls
Diamond
Green
Pearl
Year 35
Coral or Jade
Jade
Coral
Emerald
Year 40
N/A
Ruby
Red
Ruby
Year 45
N/A
Sapphire
Blue
Sapphire
Year 50
N/A
Gold
Gold
Gold
Year 60
N/A
Diamond
Diamond white
Diamond
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The best anniversary gift ideas do not have to be extravagant or expensive, but they have to be meaningful.
Each symbol chosen to represent a wedding anniversary year offers deeper meaning for a couple’s relationship.
Many believe these symbols were selected to attract good fortune, while there are others who argue that they depict the strength of the union, especially since the first anniversary is connected to paper while the 60th is diamond.
You can wow your spouse with a heartfelt gift which has a secret message that only both of you share.
Surprise another couple or your parents with a gift they will cherish and remember for many years.
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Choosing a Gift
While we have listed some definitive rules to selecting anniversary gifts for couples, you can also clue in on the tastes of the recipient and opt for a gift idea they are going to cherish.
In the table above, you will notice that beyond 20 years, there are no traditional gifts connected with each marital year; however, each year before the 30th year of marriage has a modern theme.
This indicates the need for married couples to commit to sustaining their romance as they advance through married life.
Some years also don’t have floral symbols, gemstones or color associated with them. At Hoppingo, however, we have useful gift suggestions for each wedding anniversary year.
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If you have any suggestions, please inbox us at hello@hoppingo.com
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