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.
 
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.
 
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.
 

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

TRADITIONAL THEME

MODERN THEME

COLOR THEME

GEMSTONE

Year 1

Paper

Clocks

Yellow, Gold

Golden Jewellery (no specified stone)
 
 

Year 2

Cotton

China

Red

Garnet

Year 3

Leather

Glass or Crystal

White, Jade

Pearl

Year 4

Silk/Linen or
Flowers/Fruits
 

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
 

 
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.
 
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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Author: Team Hoppingo