Anniversary Gifts

Compiled from discussions on alt.wedding.

     Traditional     Modern             Alt. Modern   
  1  [paper]         plastics           clocks       
  2  cotton          cotton/calico      china         
  3  leather         leather            crystal/glass 
  4  flowers         linen/silk/nylon   appliances    
  5  [wood]          wood               silverware    
  6  candy/iron      iron               wood           
  7  copper/wool     copper/wool/brass  desk sets     
  8  bronze/pottery  bronze/appliances  linens        
  9  pottery/willow  pottery            leather        
 10  [tin]           aluminum           diamond        
 11  steel           steel              jewelry        
 12  silk/linen      silk/linen         pearl          
 13  lace            lace               textiles/fur   
 14  ivory           ivory              gold           
 15  [crystal]       glass              watches        
 20  [china]         china              platinum       
 25  [silver]        silver             silver         
 30  pearl           pearl              pearl         
 35  coral           coral/jade         jade
 40  ruby            ruby/garnet        ruby           
 45  sapphire        sapphire           sapphire
 50  [gold]          gold               gold           
 55  emerald         emerald/turquoise  emerald
 60  [diamond]       gold               diamond        
 75  diamond         diamond/gold       diamond

Notes:

• There are only -8- "true" traditional anniversary gifts in [brackets]
• The "other" traditional listings are from various sources (consensus)
• Modern list is from the New York Public Library Desk Reference
• Alt. modern list is drawn from various sources (consensus)

People frequently ask me if I can think of some examples of a particular kind of gift. Most often, the question is about paper as a first anniversary gift. Here are some ideas:

• Nice writing paper, cards, etc. -- basically, any kind of paper that you write on. If this doesn't seem like enough, you can always include a nice pen.
• Books. Big coffee-table books, antique books, the latest novels -- any kind of books.
• Fine art or photography prints (to hang on the wall). Many newlyweds don't have much hanging on their walls.
• A photo album, or a framed picture.
• Anything made of cardboard -- you can stretch the definition of paper if you want to.
• Tickets to the theater, sporting event, etc.
• A gift certificate -- homemade or commercial

Page last modified: Sunday, May 16, 2004