What are examples of traditional wedding anniversary gifts?

 

Wedding anniversaries are a special time for couples to celebrate their love and commitment to each other. One of the most traditional ways to mark these special occasions is by giving gifts. Many couples choose to give gifts that follow the traditional anniversary gift guidelines, which have been in place for many years.

Traditional anniversary gifts are based on the anniversary year, with different gifts associated with each year of marriage. The traditional wedding anniversary gifts are divided into two groups; traditional gifts and modern gifts. The traditional gifts typically include more timeless and classic options, while the modern gifts offer more contemporary choices.

The traditional anniversary gifts for the first year of marriage are paper. This may seem like a strange gift, but paper symbolises the blank slate of a new marriage, and the many possibilities that lie ahead. Examples of paper gifts could include a special book, a heartfelt love letter, or a personalised wedding vow framed print.

The second year is cotton. Cotton is a symbol of the strength and durability of a marriage, and it’s a reminder that a couple's love will only grow stronger over time. For this anniversary, couples may give cotton-based gifts such as a pair of matching cotton pyjamas, cotton sheets or a cotton-based quilt.

The third anniversary is leather, leather symbolises the durability and flexibility of a marriage. Leather gifts could be a leather-bound journal, a leather purse or wallet, a leather-bound photo album, and a leather-bound book.

The fourth anniversary is flowers or fruit, which symbolise the blooming and growth of a marriage. Examples of flower- or fruit-themed gifts include a bouquet of the couple’s favourite flowers, a fruit basket, or a potted plant.

The fifth anniversary is wood, which symbolises the stability and strength of a marriage. Wooden gifts could include a wooden piece of furniture, a wooden jewellery box, or a wooden carving.

The sixth anniversary is candy or iron, which represent the sweetness and strength of a marriage. Candy gifts could include a box of chocolates, a jar of homemade candies, or a gift certificate to a favourite candy store. Iron gifts could include an iron sculpture, an iron planter, or a personalised iron trivet.

The seventh anniversary is wool or copper, which symbolise warmth and durability. Wool gifts could include a wool sweater, a wool blanket, or a wool rug. Copper gifts could include a copper pot, a copper bowl, or a copper wall art piece.

The eighth anniversary is bronze or pottery, which symbolise the durability and creativity of a marriage. Bronze gifts could include a bronze sculpture, a bronze vase, or a bronze picture frame. Pottery gifts could include a pottery vase, a pottery mug, or a pottery planter.

The ninth anniversary is pottery or willow, which symbolises the strength and adaptability of a marriage. Pottery gifts could include a pottery bowl, a pottery platter, or a pottery figurine. Willow gifts could include a willow basket, a willow wreath, or a willow tree.

The tenth anniversary is aluminium or tin, which symbolise the flexibility and durability of a marriage. Aluminium gifts could include an aluminium water bottle, an aluminium laptop case, or an aluminium travel mug. Tin gifts could include a tin planter, a tin candle holder, or a tin jewellery box.

The eleventh anniversary is steel, which symbolises the strength and resilience of a marriage. Steel gifts could include a steel watch, a steel kitchen knife, or a steel garden tool.