Filed under Norfolk Living on October 15th, 2008:
Finding the Perfect Wedding Anniversary Gift
Graduations, engagements, weddings, babies. It’s all starting to come down the hatch for you. You’re at a baby shower one weekend and the next a house warming party. Your 20’s and 30’s are going to be filled with events like these, but there’s one you might not have expected – wedding anniversaries. In this new territory of gift giving and parties, let us provide you with a list of appropriate anniversary gifts for your married friends.
There are two sets of wedding anniversary gifts – the modern and the traditional. Either are considered appropriate and our list includes both.
First Year
The traditional gift for the first year anniversary is paper. This can be given in any form from paintings to stationary to books. However, the modern gift is a clock – alarm clocks or decorative clocks – any clock will fit the bill.
Second Year
For the second year it’s traditional to give a gift of cotton. This can be anything made of cotton like sheets, linens, oven mitts, pillows or clothing. The modern gift is considered to be china. However, this gift could get expensive and your options are limited. Either way, both gifts work for a second year anniversary gift.
Third Year
Traditionally, a gift of leather is given for the third year anniversary. In modern times, crystal is considered the appropriate gift. For a leather gift, you can purchase accessories like gloves, handbags, belts or wallets. And, crystal can come in the form of candle holders, drinking glasses or decorative accents.
Fourth Year
It’s easy to find gifts for a fourth year anniversary whether you go for the traditional gift of fruit or the modern gift of appliances like toaster ovens, waffle makers, crock pots or microwaves.
Fifth Year
If you’re looking for the traditional wedding anniversary gift of wood to give your married friends for their fifth year anniversary, you could try wooden picture frames, art frames, potted trees or small furniture pieces. The modern gift is silverware which could include candle holders, kitchen utensils, flatware, or serving plates.
Sixth Year
The traditional gifts for the 6th year anniversary are candy or iron. Iron might be a little difficult to find, so you could bake them a batch of their favorite sweets. Or, you could go with the modern gift of wood.
Seventh Year
For the seventh year anniversary, desk sets are considered the modern gift. You can spruce it up a bit by personalizing it. Or you could go with the traditional gift of wool. You could buy linens, socks or hats of wool.
Eighth Year
Traditionally pottery is given as a gift for the eighth year anniversary. You could easily find decorative pots, bowls or jars. However, if earthenware and pottery are not your thing, you could give them the modern gift of linens.
Ninth Year
It is traditional to give willow to a couple on their ninth wedding anniversary. You could buy them a willow tree, but buying them a beautiful plant or decorative willow items will suffice. You could go with the modern gift of linens and lace if you’d rather not purchase a tree.
Tenth Year
Traditionally Tin or Aluminum is given as a gift for the tenth year anniversary. Any kind of kitchenware would work for this gift. Or, you can give the modern gift of diamond jewelry which might not be the most affordable idea. Maybe you should leave that up to the husband to get his wife some jewelry and stick to the kitchenware.