Traditional Anniversary Gifts by Year

Traditional anniversary gifts are timeless expressions of love, but your anniversary gift choices can be modern, not staid.  Remember that, and use these ideas to inspire you to honor tradition in contemporary style.

Traditional Anniversary Gifts with a Twist

• 1^st Anniversary, Paper: It can be something as simple as stationery, but it can also be money or concert tickets. Better yet, buy bus, train or plane tickets and head for a quiet spot where you can be alone for a few days.
• 2^nd Anniversary, Cotton: This can be bedroom linens, such as a finely made cotton quilt for you to share, or it could be matching aprons, his for barbecuing and hers for baking.
• 3^rd Anniversary, Leather: How about matching cowboy boots? Or leather seat covers? Or matching leather jackets? Perhaps some leather recliners or a new car with a leather interior, if you've got the budget.
• 4^th Anniversary, Flowers or Fruits: Make a fruit bouquet. This gift is the best bouquet you can come up with, unless you can find the same flowers from the bridal bouquet and corsage. If you can, create a new arrangement with those same flowers.
• 5^th Anniversary, Wood: if you're skilled with a hammer and nails, you may feel inclined to create a beautiful birdhouse. Handmade gifts are always the most appreciated. Wood can also mean furniture, or a getaway to a secluded log cabin for a weekend together.
• 10^th Anniversary, Tin: A beautiful apple pie in a retro pie tin that has the words Mr. and Mrs. punched into it would be wonderful. Think how surprised she'll be to discover your names on the pie tin once the pie has been eaten. A good gift that is both inexpensive and perfect for a husband would be a tin filled with his favorite jerky.
• 15^th Anniversary, Crystal: Wine goblets made of crystal and a bottle of your favorite wine can kick off a celebration at home. Replace the wine label with one that depicts your wedding day.
• 20^th Anniversary, China: A teapot and tea cups fit the bill, as will a set of china serving dishes. If you've got the budget and a sense of adventure, book a trip to the Far East.

The idea when giving traditional anniversary gifts is to give something that is both useful, wanted or needed, and yet pleasantly surprising. While tradition is very important to a marriage, creativity is actually more important, so don't ever feel you have to conform to the norm.