Are you interested in finding out the history behind anniversary gift giving, what makes it into the list of traditional anniversary gifts and who came up with idea of a list in the first place? Well, read on to find out more…
The history and tradition of anniversary gift giving
The tradition of giving anniversary gifts dates back centuries and has its roots in various cultures and customs throughout history.
One of the earliest recorded instances of anniversary gift-giving can be traced back to ancient Rome where it was customary for husbands to give their wives wreaths on certain significant occasions, including wedding anniversaries. These wreaths were often made from materials such as flowers, herbs or even precious metals, depending on the occasion and the status of the individuals involved. For example, for a twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, known as the "vicennalia*" it was common for Roman husbands to present their wives with wreaths made from sterling silver. Similarly, for a fiftieth wedding anniversary, known as the "jubilee", gold wreaths would be exchanged.
* "vicennalia" was a term used in ancient Rome to describe a special celebration commemorating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the reign of an emperor. The word "vicennalia" is derived from the Latin word "vicennis," meaning "of twenty years". During the Roman Empire, the vicennalia was an important occasion marked by ceremonies, festivities and often the issuance of commemorative coins or other tokens. It served as a public recognition of the emperor's successful rule and longevity in power. In addition to the vicennalia celebrated for emperors, the term could also be applied to other significant twenty-fifth anniversaries, such as marriage anniversaries or other important milestones.
In medieval Germany, the celebration of wedding anniversaries was marked by various customs and traditions that varied depending on the time period, regional influences and social status of the couple. While specific details vary, some general practices associated with anniversary celebrations in medieval Germany include:
Silver and Gold Anniversaries: Similar to ancient Rome, medieval Germans celebrated significant wedding anniversaries, particularly the twenty-fifth and fiftieth years of marriage, with special festivities and ceremonies. These milestones were often commemorated with gifts made from silver and gold.
Religious Observances: In predominantly Christian regions, anniversary celebrations might include attendance at church services or the receiving of blessings from clergy members, reinforcing the sacred nature of marriage.
Feasting and Merriment: Anniversary celebrations were often accompanied by feasting, music, dancing, and entertainment. Families and communities would come together to share in the joyous occasion, enjoying food, drink, and revelry.
Gift-Giving: In addition to silver and gold gifts that were exchanged on significant milestone anniversaries, spouses would exchange other tokens of affection, such as jewellery, clothing or household items.
While the specific customs and traditions of anniversary celebrations in medieval Germany may have varied from region to region and evolved over time, the underlying themes of love, commitment, and community remained central to these joyous occasions.
The origins of associating materials or themes with each year of marriage.
As previously discussed, both ancient Roman and medieval German traditions included the exchange of gifts made from specific materials, such as silver and gold, to commemorate the more significant wedding anniversaries. It was these practices that laid the groundwork for the more modern development of associating various different materials with each year of marriage. This concept gained popularity in the Victorian era. Etiquette books and gift guides from the 19th and early 20th centuries began to prescribe traditional gifts that should be given, when each separate anniversary milestone was reached.
These books and gift guides included lists of both traditional and modern anniversary gifts, with materials such as paper, cotton, leather and diamond corresponding to each year of marriage. These guides were often produced by organisations such as jewellers associations or department stores as promotional tools to encourage gift-giving and promote the sale of jewellery and other items. While these lists were primarily intended as marketing tools to promote various types of jewelry and gifts, they played a significant role in popularising the tradition of associating specific materials with each anniversary year.
One of the most well-known examples of both a "modern" and "traditional" anniversary list was created by the American National Retail Jeweller Association * (now known as Jewellers of America) in the early 20th century. These lists, which include materials such as paper, cotton, leather and diamond have become widely recognised and adopted as the industry standard and the go-to guide for anniversary gift-giving.
* The American National Retail Jeweller Association (ANRJA) were an organisation that represented retail jewellers in the United States. They were founded in the early 20th century and served as a trade association for jewellers, providing support, resources and advocacy for its members. One of the most notable contributions of the American National Retail Jeweller Association was its creation of a lists of traditional and modern anniversary gifts. These lists, which included materials or themes associated with each year of marriage, were published as part of the association's promotional efforts to encourage gift-giving and promote various types of jewellery and gifts for specific anniversary celebrations. Over time, the American National Retail Jeweller Association evolved and underwent changes, eventually merging with other organisations and restructuring into what is now known as Jewellers of America. Jewellers of America continues to serve as a leading trade association for the jewellery industry, providing support and resources for jewellers across America.
A list of traditional anniversary gifts
Over time, the traditional list of anniversary gifts became widely recognised and adopted by couples around the world as a meaningful way to commemorate their marriage milestones and celebrate their love and commitment. Here is a list of the traditional anniversary gifts for each year:
1st Anniversary: Paper
2nd Anniversary: Cotton
3rd Anniversary: Leather
4th Anniversary: Fruit or Flowers
5th Anniversary: Wood
6th Anniversary: Iron
7th Anniversary: Wool or Copper
8th Anniversary: Bronze
9th Anniversary: Pottery or Willow
10th Anniversary: Tin or Aluminium
11th Anniversary: Steel
12th Anniversary: Silk or Linen
13th Anniversary: Lace
14th Anniversary: Ivory
15th Anniversary: Crystal
20th Anniversary: China
25th Anniversary: Sterling Silver
30th Anniversary: Pearl
35th Anniversary: Coral or Jade
40th Anniversary: Ruby
45th Anniversary: Sapphire
50th Anniversary: Gold
55th Anniversary: Emerald
60th Anniversary: Diamond
A list of modern anniversary gifts
The modern list of anniversary gifts offers a more contemporary range of materials and themes for each year of marriage. While the traditional list remains popular, the modern list provides couples with additional options that reflect changing tastes and lifestyles. Here is a list of modern anniversary gifts for each year of marriage:
1st Anniversary: Clocks
2nd Anniversary: China
3rd Anniversary: Crystal or Glass
4th Anniversary: Appliances
5th Anniversary: Silverware
6th Anniversary: Wood
7th Anniversary: Desk Sets or Pen and Pencil Sets
8th Anniversary: Linens or Lace
9th Anniversary: Leather
10th Anniversary: Diamond Jewelry
11th Anniversary: Fashion Jewelry or Accessories
12th Anniversary: Pearls
13th Anniversary: Textiles or Furs
14th Anniversary: Gold Jewelry
15th Anniversary: Watches
20th Anniversary: Platinum
25th Anniversary: Sterling Silver
30th Anniversary: Diamond
35th Anniversary: Jade
40th Anniversary: Ruby
45th Anniversary: Sapphire
50th Anniversary: Gold
55th Anniversary: Emerald
60th Anniversary: Diamond
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