1 = Paper

Because Johnny and my ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY was last week, I thought this fun article I wrote for LDS Living magazine would be fun to read...

Wedding Anniversary Gifts
By Ashley Evanson
LDS Living Magazine

Wedding anniversaries are the perfect opportunity for married couples to express and celebrate their love for each other. Tradition goes that for each anniversary there is a specific material to be given—increasing in strength and value— which symbolizes the dedication and investment of the relationship. Not to mention, legend has it that corresponding certain substances with a specific number of years has a luck-bringing quality.

No one knows exactly how the traditional anniversary gift list came to be, but we do know it contains some origins that go all the way back to medieval Europe. Historians say that in Germany it was tradition for a husband to present a silver garland to his wife on their 25th wedding anniversary representing the harmony needed for so many years of marriage, and then a gold garland on their 50th—this is where we get the popular terms “silver wedding” and “golden wedding.”

In the Victorian Era the tradition became a little more precise. Because Victorians were fond of classifying and cataloguing, they began to make a more detailed list of anniversary gifts, although no one is sure exactly who started it and when. One gift known for sure to have come from the Victorian Era is that of diamonds for the 60th year of marriage. Queen Victoria of the English Empire celebrated her 60th anniversary of accession to the throne in 1897. The event was known as the Diamond Jubilee, and the anniversary theme stuck.

Then in 1922, Emily Post listed the “eight anniversaries known to all” in her book Blue Book of Social Usage—the 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 50th, and 75th. She went on to acknowledge the modern trend of celebrating additional anniversaries, and presented a new list of gifts for the first fifteen years and every five after that.

Traditionally, gifts given in the early years of marriage are more practical and seen as a sort of extension of wedding gifts, with those given in later years as being more luxury gifts. However, a lot of the traditional materials are a bit out of date and couples don’t exactly need—or want—something made from tin, for example. Without throwing tradition out the window, you can still follow the anniversary guide and find ways to modernize your gifts. Think of creative ways to express your love and tell your husband or wife how much your marriage means to you through what you give.

1—Paper

Paper is given for the first year of marriage because it represents the fragility of the relationship. But it also can by symbolic of your strength as a couple, just as paper has a subtle strength from its individual, interlaced threads. Its inexpensive quality reflects what most newlywed couples can afford, and is thus appropriate. But instead of the traditional stationary set, try something new and fresh. There are lots of things made out of paper that can say ‘I love you.’

Plan a romantic picnic using paper plates and cups. Make it a date by preparing the meal together, planning activities to do while on the picnic like reading or riding bikes, and you can even bring along a radio for some music.

Mail them a postcard with a scene of a place the two of you will travel to for your anniversary.

Tickets to a concert or sports event can be a fun way to celebrate. You can even tuck the tickets into the day’s newspaper next to the entertainment or sports section for more effect.

Board games and puzzles are a great gift and give you something inexpensive and fun to do together or with friends.

2—Cotton

A rope hammock in the backyard can be a place for the two of you to relax together. Not to mention, it’s a gift that will last through the years, giving you plenty of opportunities to spend a quiet afternoon together, gently swaying back and forth while holding each other.

3—Leather

Give your spouse a pair of leather gloves made for their favorite hobby. For example, get him a pair of leather golfing or driving gloves, or give her a pair of gardening or “opera” gloves. And don’t forget to throw in a voucher for an afternoon of doing their hobby together.

4—Fruit or Flowers

Plan a romantic evening for just the two of you. When your spouse gets home, have a trail of rose petals leading them to a place you’ve set up for the occasion. You can even feed each other chocolate covered strawberries and other romantic fruits.

5—Wood

The bond of marriage after five years is represented by wood—it is strong and long-lasting. The tree is a universal symbol for life and many cultures associate it with the life of a couple. In parts of India when two people marry, a pair of trees is joined in a symbolic wedding so that vitality and life are transferred to the couple. A tree also has roots, symbolic of a married couple’s growing strength and durability. And lastly, by this point in the marriage, many couples have started to have children and are beginning family trees of their own. It’s very symbolic for the couple to give the gift of a tree on this wedding anniversary.

Planting and nurturing a tree together is emblematic of nurturing your own relationship. By planting a fruit tree, you can watch how the fruits of your labors grow and produce something beautiful.

Other trees with symbolism include the oak tree, which represents solidity; a flaming red maple, representing the flaming passion you have for each other; and the flowering crab tree, which represents eternal love.

6—Iron

Give your spouse a gift that helps them with their Iron Chef skills. Sign up for a cooking class together and learn to cook a special dish for one another. You can even buy them a recipe book and mark some of the recipes you’d like to make together.

7—Wool

A wool blanket is perfect for snuggling up in together on your cabin getaway. And if you can’t make it to a cabin, you can even spend a romantic evening snuggled up at home, watching movies and laying by the fireplace.

8—Bronze

Nothing says ‘I love you’ like an exotic vacation with just the two of you. Give your spouse a bottle of bronzing lotion and sandals to use on your anniversary escapade to a tropical destination.

9—Pottery

Together, go to a home furniture store like Pottery Barn and pick out a new timepiece for your home.

10—Tin

After a decade of marriage, a couple is more flexible and their relationship is not as breakable. Tin is a perfect symbol of the malleability of a good relationship. It also can have a metaphorical meaning—tin is weaker when standing alone, but when combined with another metal, it is strengthened and is able to bear more burdens. A marriage between two people can also strengthen the individual, helping each other through the past ten years.

Tin by itself is not used to make many things any more, however, who could forget nostalgic luncheon tins? Pack a delicious meal in some spiffy tins and go to a concert in the park together. And don’t forget to bring a bottle of sparkling cider to celebrate your decade of love!

11—Steel

Give your spouse some buns of steel. Sign the two of you up for a gym membership, or if you already have one, give them a couple of sessions with a personal trainer.

12—Silk

Fold a pair of silk pajamas on the bed and tuck a note into the pocket telling them to pack their new gift for a night together at a nice hotel downtown.

13—Lace

Give them lavender and lace—two beautiful and romantic plants. Buy a silver lace vine and lavender bushes, along with a shiny new spade for your spouse. And make sure to plant them together!

14—Ivory

Have dinner at a classy restaurant that has live piano music and secretly tip the pianist to play ‘your’ song.

15—Crystal

A bag of bath salts and crystals is perfect for ultimate relaxation. Tie a note to the bag telling your spouse to get ready for a day or weekend of pampering at a plush day spa.

20—China

Because most couples either already have a set of china or have no need for one, try something a little more imaginative. Cook a nice Chinese meal that ends with fortune cookies, each stuffed with a personalized message that gives clues to their true anniversary gift.

25—Silver

This flexible, yet durable, metal is symbolic of wisdom and peace, attributes couples have no doubt acquired after 25 years of marriage. By now, they’ve learned from their past, gaining new insights on the world and each other, and have found peace with themselves and their differences as husband and wife.

Celebrate the occasion with a silver screen-themed jubilee. The silver screen era was Hollywood’s most glamorous and lavish period, so what better way to commemorate your marriage than star in your own silver screen production? Decorate everything in silver, using movie tickets and other movie memorabilia. Invite friends and family to enjoy a film with pictures and clips of the two of you from over the years.

30—Pearl

The world is your oyster—your kids have moved out, you’re established and the world is yours for the taking. It’s finally time to do that one thing your spouse and you have always wanted to do. Whether it’s a home improvement class, music lessons, or a trip around the world, give your sweetheart the gift they’ve been dreaming of.

35—Coral

Give your husband or wife a disposable underwater camera so they can take pictures of flashy fish and coral while snorkeling on your tropical vacation. You might even consider signing up for scuba diving lessons together a few weeks before your trip.

40—Ruby

Make them a memory book full of pictures from your wedding, with your family, and from over the years. You can even include stories you’ve gathered from friends and family. Create it in a ruby red album with a red color theme.

45—Sapphire

Staying young at heart is important, so for this anniversary be adventurous and take a ride in a hot air balloon through beautiful sapphire skies.

50—Gold

Gold is one of the most valued precious metals. It represents perfection in all matter, as well as a couple’s goal to obtain perfection as husband and wife. It’s a timeless metal, just like your marriage is after fifty beautiful years together.

Host a gold-themed party with friends and family. By now, you probably have grown children and grandchildren, friendships that have lasted over the years, and your 50th wedding anniversary will be a grand celebration, honoring you and your spouse’s golden years together.