A Guide on Picking the Right Wedding Anniversary Gifts By Year

The term ‘anniversary’ is a term that applies in a number of contexts. Understood as a celebratory concept that helps commemorate the arrival of a day, month, or year that marks the beginning of a new event, a moment of value, a priceless meeting, or the moment that sets in motion a journey of commitment. Our focus on the subject of yearly anniversary gifts, centres on weddings. Whilst anniversaries are varied in character and significance, the wedding anniversary is arguably at the top of the list. So when it comes to celebrating your wedding anniversary: a day of importance, it is only right that it is commemorated with something special. If the subject relates to a friend or loved one who is celebrating their wedding anniversary, and it is your wish to express your joy and appreciation on this important day, nothing could send this message more clearly than a carefully chosen anniversary gift. Anniversary gifts come in many shapes and forms, and depending on the occasion the type and level of investment that would go into your choice of anniversary gift would vary. As our focus here is on gifts for wedding anniversaries, we have narrowed our scope for a year anniversary gifts to this particular category.

Gifts for Wedding Anniversary: A Short History

The giving of gifts by anniversary is a practice that goes back hundreds of years. Today those who wish to commemorate their wedding anniversaries do so by celebrating the reaching of a milestone, which is usually a certain year: 5 years, 10 years, 25 years and if you are blessed 60 years etc. Little do most of us know that what has today become the tradition of celebrating anniversaries and notably the idea of giving gifts for wedding anniversary has roots in European history, which then moved forward into the modern era. Hence our study of the history of wedding anniversary gifts will focus on the West. With Europe being the region where the practice of gift-giving for anniversaries gaining prominence and paving the way for its modern practice. The true origins of the giving of yearly anniversary gifts arguably go back to the Classical era, with the Greeks and later the Romans being the originators of this tradition. However, records on anniversary gift-giving are quite sparse, notably as traditional practice in the cultures of that era. The giving of anniversary gifts, in terms of the reliability of time this practice started can be traced back to Germany, or as it was then known: The Holy Roman Empire, where the Hochzeitstag or wedding day was celebrated in the then German-dominated political entity. However, these anniversary celebrations were reserved for the long term, with the long partnership of 25 or 50 years being commemorated with a designated gift. With origins of the silver and gold anniversary (or jubilee as it is known in certain other parts of the world) being traced to this time and place.

The Victorian Legacy and the Commonwealth in Anniversary Gift Giving

The popularization of the practice of giving anniversary gifts solidified during the Victorian era, the period in history when the British Empire held sway over much of the world, and the importance of Victorian values: where the emphasis on marriage, family, and tradition came to dominate. Hence the giving of gifts to mark the important years, become the means by which these close familial bonds were strengthened and renewed year after year. And the giving of yearly anniversary gifts soon followed. The prominence of silver and gold in the tradition of gift-giving, especially as a way to commemorate grand occasions such as the 25^th or 50^th anniversary went hand in hand with the growing prominence and wider availability of the precious metal. Since silver and especially gold were precious metals whose use was mainly reserved for the most wealthy and noble parts of society, however with the expansion of mining across the world, the rise in the popularity of gold jewellery more generally and the rise in income levels over the course of the decades, and importantly the legacy of the British Empire, and the traditions it embodied, which continued throughout the world in the cultures of the Commonwealth. With the practice of gift-giving that is meant to mark the reaching of a new milestone, corresponding to the expanding reign of the ruling monarch.

Anniversary Gifts: From the Traditional to the Modern

One of the hallmarks of the practice of anniversary gift-giving is the role of time. Not only in terms of the commemorative year, but also in the manner in which the practice of giving anniversary gifts have changed over time. In popular understanding the practice of giving gifts by anniversary has changed, giving rise to the ‘modern’ and ‘traditional’ approaches to anniversary gift-giving. The traditional approach to giving wedding anniversary gifts by year corresponds to the strength of the union, which is measured by the passage of time. The greater number of years of the marriage union corresponding to the economic and perceived value of the gift that is given to commemorate the event. Given the origins of the practice of gift-giving date back, hundreds of years the manner and type of gifts that are given to mark various occasions have also changed with time. Today the practice of giving gifts for the anniversary whilst built on the traditions of the past, have evolved to adopt newer trends, which nonetheless have remained true to their original ideas that surround the practice of wedding anniversary gift-giving. 

Anniversary Gifts by Year: The Traditional, the Modern and the Corresponding Gemstones

Below you will find a list of anniversary gifts by year. Divided into three sections: The year of the anniversary, the traditional gift type and the modern version. Note that the traditional version of the wedding anniversary gift also applies to modern times. So in practice, the giving of these gifts in both eras are basically the same, with certain gap years in the traditional range being filled up by modern alternatives. In terms of formalisation of the list of gifts for wedding anniversary by years, the credit is given to Emily Post, an American author, whose book Etiquette (1922) sought to engage some rules on social norms, and acceptable practices. In which she engaged the type of gifts that could be given by anniversary years, however, her list was not exhaustive, with a number of years in 1-60 range being void, which meant the responsibility to fill that gap fell to other organisations. This has led to a number of versions of the formal anniversary gift list. Especially today, with many companies vying to present their version of the authoritative list. In this mix enters the gemstones range that also correspond to a designated year, that have become a popular addition to the anniversary gifts range. Here is a list of anniversary gifts by year, which includes the traditional and the modern, and the complementary gemstones. So if you are looking for ideas for anniversary gifts then look no further. Whilst there has been some debate on where the ‘traditional’ ends and the ‘modern’ begins, what matters when it comes to the art of gift-giving is the spirit in which it is given. So in the list below, in boxes that are left blank, the traditional choice carries over to the modern.

Who Buys (Gives) the Wedding Anniversary Gift?

This is an interesting question since the practice of giving anniversary gifts is open to anyone. Most notably to friends and family of the couple who are celebrating their special occasion together. This is notable if a dedicated party or event is organised, giving a chance for loved ones to participate in celebrating the evening together. When it comes to partners, it is traditional that the man takes the lead in giving the anniversary gift. Whilst things have changed over the decades (or centuries) if there is one party that needs to make the move in selecting the right anniversary gift. So if you are a husband or partner, who is thinking of getting the right anniversary gifts for her, then the above table is worth considering. Akin to the engagement that started your long term relationship with the person you’re with. So if one person needs to take the lead it is usually the guy, however, this is not a hard and fast rule. Either partner can take the initiative. Ideally, however, you both have anniversary gifts to offer.

Anniversary Gift Gemstones by Year

In addition to the giving of anniversary gifts, which often take the form of certain objects of art or items of value that are made of materials designated for the respective year, gemstones have had a history of being popular choices when it comes to gift-giving. The value and rarity attached to gemstones have made them a natural choice as a gift to mark a special occasion. In addition, the presence of varying colours and numerous varieties of gemstones in the industry has enabled the matching of a precious stone to a specific year. Thus the prevalence of precious stones to match the designated year in the anniversary calendar has become a proven practice. The giving of gemstones as wedding anniversary gifts is one that is reserved for what could be counted as major anniversary years: starting from 1^st to the 10^th and then moving to five year periods: the 20^th, 25^th, 30^th, 35^th... To the 60^th. One must remember that not all anniversary gift years have corresponding gemstones, with certain important years having precious metals or even the precious pearl. Gemstones are a special choice of anniversary gifts, and arguably the most effective way to present an anniversary gift that is matched by the right gemstone, why not go for fine anniversary gift jewellery set with the right gemstone for you. The choice is yours.