Wedding anniversary gifts by year traditional and modern

A wedding anniversary is the anniversary of the date a wedding took place. Couples may take the occasion to celebrate their relationship, either privately or with a larger party. Special celebrations and gifts are often given for particular anniversary milestones (e.g. 10, 15, 20, 25 years). In some cultures, traditional names exist for milestone anniversaries; for instance, fifty years of marriage may be known as a "golden wedding anniversary", "golden anniversary" or "golden wedding".

Recognition[edit]

Celebrating wedding anniversaries as gold (50 years) or silver (25 years) is documented in Germanic countries since the 1500s.[1] In the twentieth century, commercialism led to the celebration of more anniversaries according to a list of predetermined gifts.[2]

In some parts of the world, couples can receive special recognition from government officials for particular milestones. In the Commonwealth realms, one can receive a message from the monarch for 60th, 65th, and 70th wedding anniversaries, and any wedding anniversary after that.[3] This is done by applying to Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom, or to the governor-general's office in the other Commonwealth realms.[4]

In Australia, one can receive a letter of congratulations from the governor-general on the 50th and all subsequent wedding anniversaries. The prime minister, the federal Opposition leader, local members of both state and federal parliaments, and state governors may also send salutations for the same anniversaries.[5]

In Canada, one can also receive a message from the governor-general for the 50th anniversary, and every fifth anniversary after that.[6]

In the United States, a couple can receive an anniversary greeting card from the president for the 50th and all subsequent anniversaries.[7]

Roman Catholics may apply for a papal blessing through their local diocese for wedding anniversaries of a special nature (25th, 50th, 60th, etc.).[8][9]

Celebration and gifts[edit]

Some significant anniversaries have names which suggest appropriate or traditional gifts. These gifts may be exchanged by spouses or given by guests at parties; they may also influence an anniversary party's theme or decoration. These gifts vary in different countries, but some anniversary years now have well-established connections common to most nations: 5th Wood, 10th Tin, 15th Crystal, 20th China, 25th Silver, 30th Pearl, 35th Jade, 40th Ruby, 45th Sapphire, 50th Gold, 60th Diamond, and 70th Platinum. In English-speaking countries, the fifth year gift (wood) was cut on the day of celebration and then presented to the wife as a finished item before the next two quarter days had passed.

In 1937, the American National Retail Jeweler Association (now known as Jewelers of America as a result of an organizational merger) introduced an expanded list of gifts. The revamped list gave a gift for each year up to the 25th, and then for every fifth anniversary after that.[10]

In South India, 60th and 80th wedding anniversaries are accompanied by large celebrations similar to weddings. In Tamil Nadu, there is a famous Thirukadaiyur Temple where special pujas are conducted for wedding anniversaries.[11]

The podcast A Problem Squared suggested graphite as a -1th wedding anniversary gift (in a situation where the couple knows their elopement date more than a year ahead of time).[12]

Traditional anniversary gifts[edit]

Flower gifts[edit]

Flowers are also associated with wedding anniversaries up to and including the 50th anniversary.[25]

See also[edit]

• Hierarchy of precious substances

References[edit]

1. ^ Hanns Bächtold-Stäubli i Folklore suisse. Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Volkskunde, 11. årgang (1921) S. 51–52.
2. ^ "Wedding Anniversaries". Debrett's Everyday Etiquette. Archived from the original on 2012-06-15. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
3. ^ "Who is entitled?". The Monarchy Today. Retrieved 6 April 2009.
4. ^ "Queen and anniversary messages". The Monarchy Today. Retrieved 6 April 2009.
5. ^ "It's an Honour – Anniversary Messages". Australian Government. 25 January 2008. Retrieved 11 February 2008.
6. ^ "Invite the Governor General" (Requires access). The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
7. ^ "White House Greeting". Retrieved 11 January 2022.
8. ^ Office of Papal Charities. Vatican.va. Retrieved on 2015-05-13.
9. ^ "To Request a Papal Blessing". The Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, Office of the Bishop. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
10. ^ Lee, Cookie (October 2001). Wedding Anniversaries: From Paper to Diamond. Ryland Peters & Small.
11. ^ "Anniversary Special gift for wife". wellstuff. Retrieved 2022-03-15.
12. ^ "A Problem Squared #040 - Anniversary Crazes and Any Cursory Praises". Retrieved 2022-08-26.
13. ^ "Wedding Anniversaries," compiled by librarians at the Chicago Public Library's Information Center (December 2000)
14. ^ Anderson, Charles. "The Exchange," RQ 25 (1985): 175.
15. ^ The World Almanac and Book of Facts, Mahwah, New Jersey: World Almanac Books, 1997.
16. ^ World Book Encyclopedia, 1997 ed., s.v. "Wedding Anniversary".
17. ^ Pears Cyclopaedia, 1978–79 edition, "Wedding Anniversaries". L128.
18. ^ "Wedding Anniversary Gift List". Anniversary Gifts. 24 May 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
19. ^ "Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas by Year". hitched.co.uk. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
20. ^ "The platinum wedding anniversary of Jim and Gladys Till". Lancaster Guardian, 8 January 2008.
21. ^ "Tenor and wife toast 70 years of marriage". North West Evening Mail, 15 August 2008.
22. ^ "They've been around the world in 70 years". Portsmouth News, 29 July 2008.
23. ^ Miller, Vikki (24 May 2008). "Britain's longest married couple celebrate a quiet 80th anniversary". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 28 May 2008.
24. ^ Facts and figures The British Monarchy
25. ^ Carlson, Tara (May 5, 2017). "What is each wedding anniversary's flower?". Petal Talk. 1-800-Flowers.com, Inc. Archived from the original on 17 July 2017. Retrieved 10 March 2022.

External links[edit]

What do you get for each year of anniversary?

What are the traditional wedding gifts by year?

Are there traditional anniversary gifts?

What are the milestones for wedding anniversary?