Traditional Anniversary Gift Guide

Your wedding anniversary rolls around the same time every year. You might be celebrating your fifth, tenth or even your 40th anniversary. If you are not sure what gift to give your spouse (or another couple celebrating their anniversary), here is a list of the traditional gifts that are often given. Use these tips to help make your shopping a little easier.

First: Traditionally, the first anniversary calls for a gift of paper. You can get quite creative. You don't have to give just stationery. In fact, your gift can be very simple and sweet such as a handwritten love song or poem written on paper, or it can be quite elaborate, such as an itinerary for a trip to the destination of your choice.

Second: You can celebrate the second anniversary with cotton. Think about some high quality cotton sheets, a quilt or even personalized clothing or towels.

Third: Leather symbolizes the third anniversary. How about a nice watch with a leather band, or leather luggage or even a purse? Gals-how about treating your guy to a comfy leather recliner?

Fourth: Linen is the gift of choice for the fourth wedding anniversary. You can consider a set of linen bedding or even linen clothing.

Fifth: Give the gift of wood for a fifth anniversary. How about planting a tree in your yard to symbolize your everlasting love? You can also consider a gift of a handmade wooden jewelry box or a new table.

Sixth: Iron is the traditional gift for the sixth anniversary. If your spouse enjoys the look if wrought iron, consider a nice iron candelabra, wall hanging or iron picture frames. Iron is a very popular décor choice so you should not have too much difficulty finding a beautiful iron gift.

Seventh: For the seventh anniversary, you can either give a gift of copper or wool. Consider a large copper bowl or vase. Or, if you choose wool, how giving your spouse a wool sweater or scarf?

Eighth: Bronze is the traditional gift when you are celebrating the eighth anniversary. You can check into items that you can have professionally bronzed, such as a keepsake from your wedding.

Ninth: For the ninth anniversary, you should celebrate with a gift of pottery. Your choices are endless. You can easily find a handmade vase or sculpture. If you have a creative side, how about creating your own pottery piece or taking your spouse with you to create a platter that you can display in your home.

Tenth: Married couples look forward to their tenth anniversary. The traditional gift is aluminum. Foil, you think? Well, you can certainly give your loved one a box of chocolates covered with aluminum foil. You can also give an aluminum art sculpture or a picture frame made from this metal.

Fifteenth: A couple that has been married for fifteen years have earned china as their anniversary gift. Buy a decorative crystal platter or a picture frame. You can even give them wine glasses to match a pattern they already have. Another great idea is to give a crystal pendant, beaded bracelet or earrings.

Twentieth: When you hit the 20-year wedding mark, china is a traditional gift. Many couples already have china, but you can find out the pattern to add to their set. Or, if you don't want to give china plates, you can also think about giving a gift of handmade broken china décor items such as a frame, small table or tray.

Twenty-Fifth: Silver is a good traditional gift for celebrating 25 years of marriage. Silverware is a common gift for this anniversary, but you can also give a nice silver frame, photo album or platter.

Thirtieth: The traditional anniversary gift for 30 years are pearls. Surprise your spouse with a set of peal earrings, or a pendant. You can give a man a set of pearl cuff links.

Thirty-Fifth: Jade or coral are both acceptable gifts for 35 years of marriage. Jade is often found in jewelry and is a good choice. You can also give a couple a decorative piece of sea coral or a vase made out of coral.

Fortieth: For forty years of marriage, the traditional gift is that of rubies. While ruby jewelry is always a good gift, you can also give a photo framed outlined in simulated rubies or a ruby red flower vase.

Forty-Fifth: Sapphires are the traditional gift for the 45th anniversary. Beautiful blue sapphires can be placed in jewelry sets.

Fifty: For the golden anniversary, of course, gold is the gift of choice. Jewelry is a good option, however, you can also give photo frames with the couple's wedding photo, photo albums or even golden boxes of chocolates.