Another bride and groom walk happily down the aisle, it can leave us misty-eyed. Reminiscing about the joy and fun of our own big day. It’s shocking how much of a whirlwind the day is, and, even more, shocking when the anniversary pops up. Was it really a year ago? Have we really been married for three, five, ten years? The thing is, it is a total achievement, one that should be celebrated.
So why do we celebrate anniversaries?
It is a celebration and reaffirmation of our original vows and true intent. Because it really is worth celebrating. The guides for gifts that celebrate anniversaries are heavily symbolic. Here, we will delve into the history and meaning attached to those anniversary guides. We decided to give you an updated version, one that fuses traditionalism with a modern flair.
We often get asked about when is the right time to give Eternity Rings and what to consider when choosing one. Traditionally, Eternity rings were designed to be given anywhere between 10 to 50 years of marriage, however today you can get an Eternity ring after 1 year of marriage.
Like most memorable and symbolic creations, wedding anniversary gift guides surfaced in the Victorian era. We’ve spoken about the Victorians previously. Wildly and enthusiastically romantic, they produced some of our most treasured romantic traditions. At the time, both England and America had very similar gifting traditions.
It’s hard to trace where the anniversary gift list first originated.
But it certainly came into play during this period. Interestingly at the time, Americans were borrowing heavily from British and European traditions and modes of style. So it’s hard to pin down the true origins, but they are so similar it doesn’t really matter.
There is a problem with the traditional mould for anniversary gifts. They are a little old-fashioned. Not many people are interested in cotton or linen as a gift! So why not ramp it up a little? Set new traditions and establish new parameters. Here’s our version of the years one through to five anniversary gift guide. It has just the right amount of tradition, interspersed with a modern viewpoint.
1 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY GIFT IDEAS
Traditional: Paper | Modern Update: Timepiece
Instead of paper, why not consider a clock or a watch. This is a genuinely useful gift and one that you can pour your heart and soul into. A watch tells the ticking of time but also reminds us of the imperviousness of love, making it a perfect 1st anniversary gift.
It is so much more than a way to define our hours. A beautiful watch can become an heirloom piece to treasure forever.
2 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY GIFT IDEAS
Traditional: Cotton | Modern: China
Porcelain, fine china and bone china are often intermixed terms. But bone china is finer and more translucent, and rather gruesomely, made using actual bone. In this case, China or Porcelain will make a great gift for a 2nd wedding anniversary.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking China is fussy and old.
There are some very radical designs out there. If your partner has a taste for object d'art this is the chance to indulge them.
Image Credit: Gmcbjames, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
3 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY GIFT IDEAS
Traditional: Leather | Modern: Crystal or Glass
You could go both ways with this one. An incredible leather jacket is a welcome addition to anyone’s wardrobe. They are versatile, stylish and last for years. Getting better with the patina of age, it’s a classic gift idea for a 3rd wedding anniversary gift for both men and women.
Glass is always a great collectable too.
There are some beautiful vintage pieces of jewellery that incorporate glass and crystal.
Victorian Glass Locket Circa 1890 | Gerard McCabe Antiques
4 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY GIFT IDEAS
Traditional: Fruit or Flowers | Modern: Appliances
There is something inherently unromantic about buying your loved one a bread maker for a 4th wedding anniversary gift. We recommend a traditional gift for this year. Don't think of fruit or disposable flowers that wither. Instead, go one better.
Why not surprise and delight with a floral tribute in jewellery form with precious gems? Long-lasting, delicate and beautiful- like your marriage.
Shop Fleur de Lis Collection | Gerard McCabe
5 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY GIFT IDEAS
Traditional: Wood | Modern: Silverware
This is an interesting dilemma. Because in all honesty, cutlery is right up there in the romance stakes next to appliances. So traditional wins again in this context.
Wood is beautiful, warm and natural.
An incredibly versatile piece, why not spoil your other half with something unexpected. A hand-carved bowl or a beautifully made loveseat would be a thoughtful gift. If you wanted to go all out on the romance for your 5th wedding anniversary, why not consider a swing big enough for two?
Carve your name and wedding date into it and take time together each night to sit, swing and contemplate. You can't get much more romantic than that.
Image Credit: Naturpuur, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Some traditions should be upheld in the strictest sense. But we think you'll agree; the times are changing. It's time to shuffle up the outmoded and dated rituals of the past. Get ready for years 6-10 wedding anniversaries by exploring our gift guide.
By paying homage but with a twist, we are getting the best of both worlds. Don't overlook the designer leather jacket or candy-coloured confectionary jewels.
