Unique anniversary gifts are difficult to find. Like Christmas and birthday gifts, the fact that you have to provide a gift takes away the surprise and spontaneity and puts the emphasis on the gift instead of the thought. Talk about pressure. You want the gift to be both unusual and perfect, but you probably don’t have Donald Trumps budget. Just how are you supposed to go about finding an anniversary that will truly bring joy to your spouse?
Actually, it’s easier than you think to find a unique anniversary gift and to make it both spontaneous and surprising. To make the process easier, did you know that there are rules to choosing anniversary gifts?
Each anniversary has a traditional anniversary gift ‘theme’. You’ve no doubt heard that the 25th Anniversary is called the Silver Anniversary, and that the 50th is the Gold Anniversary. Each of the individual years up to 15 and all significant anniversaries after that have both a traditional and a modern theme.
The foundation of the traditional list has existed since the middle ages, and the formal list was compiled in 1937 by the American National Retail Jeweler Association. Since tastes, traditions, economic situations, and lifestyles have changed quite a bit since 1937, a more modern list has gradually evolved. Unfortunately, translating either of these lists into a romantic gift that will truly bring joy to the recipient can still be difficult.
To make it easier to find or create a unique anniversary gift, think ‘CHARM’!
‘C’reate a Moment! Even if your spouse knows that he or she will be receiving a gift on your anniversary, taking the time to come up with a creative way to present it will make it memorable even if it is simple or inexpensive. Combine the gift with a fresh croissant and a morning latte, or sneak it onto a dinner plate when your spouse goes off to use the washroom at the restaurant. Place it casually in a picnic basket. Have a family pet? Tie it to Fido’s collar and watch the fun.
‘H’old the Hallmark! Don’t count on a greeting card to convey your feelings. Don’t worry; you don’t have to be the world’s greatest writer to create a love letter that will be worth its weight in gold. Just set your feelings down on a special piece of stationary, or choose a poem that expresses what you feel. (See our Romantic Poems section for suggestions!)
‘A’tmosphere Counts! Heading for McDonalds for your anniversary dinner isn’t going to cut it, but you don’t have to make a reservation at the most expensive restaurant in town either. Pick up a variety of amazing foods at a specialty market and pack up a picnic to eat in the living room, the bedroom, or an out of the way park. Do a tailgate to an outdoor concert, football game, or polo match. Have a little more to spend? Hire a limo for an afternoon or evening and nibble as you go. Go hot air ballooning, or catch a quick flight to a nearby town and see the sights. Put an emphasis on the time you are spending together, not the price tag.
‘R’omance the Packaging! Some of the themes in the traditional and modern anniversary gift lists lend themselves more to packaging than to the primary gift. Combining a piece of jewelry or another gift with the traditional or modern theme can create a unique anniversary gift guaranteed to please.
‘M’emories Matter! If you’ve gone to the trouble of putting together a special anniversary, don’t forget the photos and mementos. Providing a visual reminder of a special moment can allow you to make the most of the romance—long after the moment is over.
Themed Anniversary Gifts
Now that you know how to make any anniversary gift unique, consult the following list of suggestions to find something special in keeping with either the traditional or modern themes.
- First Anniversary: Stationary, Clock, Watch, Love Letter, Puzzle, Book, Tickets to Special Event or Concert, Small Piece of Jewelry Wrapped in Lots of Paper
- Second Anniversary: Cotton Clothing, Cotton Table Linens, Luxurious Cotton Sheets (High Thread Count) or Egyptian Cotton Towels, China, Porcelain, China or Porcelain Jewelry
- Third Anniversary: Leather (Jacket, Handbag, Gloves, Shoes, Wallet), Glass or Crystal Ornaments or Decorator Items, Sunglasses, Window Prisms, Crystal Jewelry, Glass Beads
- Fourth Anniversary: Fruit, Flowers, Appliances, Jewelry with a Fruit or Floral Theme
- Fifth Anniversary: Wood, Silverware, Traditional Bonsai or Flowering Bonsai, Plant Outdoor Tree, Jewelry with Tree Theme or Amber
- Sixth Anniversary: Candy, Iron, Wood, Sandalwood Perfume or Bath Accessories, Jewelry with Tree Theme or Amber
- Seventh Anniversary: Wool or Cashmere (Sweater, Shawl, Throw, Scarf), Desk Set, Copper Jewelry, Jewelry with Pen or Artistic/Creative Theme
- Eighth Anniversary: Bronze, Pottery, Linens, Lace, Jewelry Wrapped in Lacy Lingerie
- Ninth Anniversary: Pottery, Willow, Leather (Shoes, Handbag, Wallet, Sunglass Case), Ceramic Jewelry, Jewelry in a Small Pot or Ceramic Mug or a Willow Basket
- Tenth Anniversary: Lingerie or Jewelry in a Decorative Tin or Aluminum Container, Diamond Jewelry
- Eleventh Anniversary: Stainless Steel (Cookware, Kitchenware, Appliances), Fashion Jewelry
- Twelfth Anniversary: Silk (Scarves, Sweaters, Bed Linens), Linen (Tableware, Clothing), Pearl Jewelry, Jewelry wrapped in Silk Handkerchief or Scarf
- Thirteenth Anniversary: Lace (Lingerie, Lace-Trimmed Tableware, Lace Trimmed Clothing), Textiles (Clothing, Hand-printed Handbags or Scarves), Furs, Jewelry Wrapped in Lace or Lacy Lingerie
- Fourteenth Anniversary: Antique Ivory or Synthetic Ivory, Ivory-Colored Table Linens or Sheets, Ivory or Gold Jewelry
- Fifteenth Anniversary: Crystal, Watch, Crystal Jewelry
- Twentieth Anniversary: China, Platinum
- Twenty-Fifth Anniversary: Sterling Silver (Platters, Plates, Candlesticks), Silver Gemstone Jewelry
- Thirtieth Anniversary: Pearls, Diamonds
- Thirty-Fifth Anniversary: Coral, Jade
- Fortieth Anniversary: Rubies
- Forty-Fifth Anniversary: Sapphires
- Fiftieth Anniversary: Gold
- Fifty-Fifth Anniversary: Emeralds
- Sixtieth Anniversary: Diamonds
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