Traditional Anniversary Gifts

Traditional Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas

Traditional wedding anniversary gifts are chosen from a list of materials that are designated for each year. The first wedding anniversary is symbolized with paper, and from there traditional anniversary gifts become more precious or scarce to reflect the growing number of years a couple has remained together.

Wedding Anniversary Customs
No one is certain just when the traditional gift list came into existence, but it probably evolved over time. Calling years twenty-five and fifty 'Silver' and 'Gold' may have originated in medieval Europe, where wives were given a silver wreath to celebrate their twenty-fifth year of marriage and a gold wreath for their fiftieth wedding anniversary.

Diamond Wedding Anniversaries
Diamonds are traditional anniversary gifts in both the sixtieth and seventh-fifth years.
Year sixty probably became a part of existing traditions when Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee after sixty years on the British throne.

The traditional list may seem somewhat boring for the early years, but it doesn't have to be if you get creative. There are many ways you can turn each year's anniversary theme into a special gift.

Anniversary Gifts for the First Years, Paper and Cotton

* A lovely origami booklet or box folded in a shape that's special to the recipient. And, hint--hint, you can tuck a second gift into the paper.

* Paper tickets to a movie, the theatre, a concert or another performance.

* A first edition of a favorite book.

* Paper flowers that will never fade.

* Vintage or new cotton clothing or decorative items.

* A scrapbook with a plush cotton cover, filled with memories.

* A cotton wallhanging or quilt, or a painting on cotton.

That's the idea. There are plenty of personal and decorative gifts for each year and I'm positive you can come up with something special.

When a Traditional Anniversary Gift Won't Work

* Ivory is traditional for the fourteenth anniversary, but most new ivory cannot be imported to the US. You can find items made from vintage ivory, but if you're among those who do not want to own the material at all you might want to consier ivory alternatives, made from nuts and seeds of palm trees and other vegetation.

* Coral isn't as protected as ivory, but it is another item that many people do not think should be removed from nature. Choose an alternative for your thirty-fifth anniversary, or take a diving trip to see the real thing!

Traditional Anniversary Gifts by Year

First: Paper
Second: Cotton
Third: Leather
Fourth: Fruit or Flowers
Fifth: Wood
Sixth: Candy or Iron
Seventh: Wool or Copper
Eight: Bronze or Pottery
Ninth: Pottery
Tenth: Tin
Eleventh: Steel
Twelfth: Silk or Linen
Thirteenth: Lace
Fourteenth: Ivory
Fifteenth: Crystal
Twentieth: China
Twenty-Fifth: Silver
Thirtieth: Pearls
Thirty-Fifth: Coral
Fortieth: Ruby
Forty-Fifth: Sapphire
Fiftieth: Gold
Fifty-Fifth: Emerald
Sixtieth: Diamond

Author: Carly Wickell, Source: www.about.com

Top 8 Tips For Wedding Party Gifts

Asking people to participate in your wedding is an honor, but it helps to offer them a little gift as a "thank you" for helping you on your special day. Many bride's and grooms have trouble thinking of the proper gift to get their wedding party, but here are some tips that will help you pick out the perfect gifts:

Tip #1: Choose something personal. Take some time to think about your attendants and try to choose a gift that fits the person receiving it. By making it personal you add a special touch to the keepsake.

Tip #2: Order ahead of time. Giving your attendants personalized gifts is nice, but it is even nicer when they can receive them on your wedding day. This is especially important if your gift is something they need to wear on that day. Ordering gifts a few weeks ahead of time is usually enough to ensure you will have the gifts in hand on time.

Tip #3: Know when to give the gifts. Traditionally the gifts are given to attendants at the rehearsal dinner. However, if your gift needs to be fitted or sized it is good to give the gift early. Some couples give their attendants the gifts at the bridal luncheon or groom's dinner. Other couples opt to give the gifts on the wedding day.

Tip #4: Give gifts to major family members, too. Don't forget to purchase gifts for the parents of the bride, groom, and grandparents. They do not have to be extravagant, but they can be a nice token.

Tip #5: Don't forget anyone. Some couples forget about their wedding coordinator, whether they are hired or offered through your house of worship, but you should remember to give those coordinators a small token of appreciation like a bouquet of flowers.

Tip #6: The minister. Some clergymen do not charge a fee to officiate weddings. In these cases it is a good idea to give him a gift. In some cases the clergyman cannot accept gifts, so it may be nice to give a donation to the house of worship.

Tip #7: Buy a wedding gift for each other. Some couples believe that the actual wedding is gift enough, but it is traditional for the bride and groom to purchase gifts for one another. The gifts should come from the heart, and they do not need to be extravagant.

Tip #8: Add another touch of personalization with a note. Giving gifts should be personal, but you should also add a note of appreciation. Tell each attendant why he or she is an important part of your wedding and how much you appreciate him or her being there.

Source: www.bharatbhasha.com

Ideal wedding gifts

What to get as a wedding gift? ... A star!

Many of brides grapple with this thought: I have to be something very special- the perfect idea- as a wedding gift...but I don't find a unique idea.

The wedding day is a most important event in the life, brides and grooms want to be on their mettle: they choose a beauty spot, the better decoration included the bridal bouquet and moreover the wedding gift.
Most likely they asked themselves what's to be done. Well, future brides the wonderful starlit sky relieve you of that decision!

The International Star Registry offer to you the Star Registry certificates with the name of the person you are naming a star after, the dedication date and telescopic coordinates of the star so you can have the perfect wedding gift!
These star names are registered in the U.S. Copyright Office, it is the gift of a lifetime and everybody -using the telescope and the directory- will look your star up in the night sky.

The International Star Registry born in 1979 thereafter have named hundreds of thousands of stars for people like celebrities and dignitaries besides print a book which lists the stars that they have named. They also offer a personalized items service: a heart-shaped pendant crafted in sterling silver where you can engrave the name of your own star, a really pleasant and romantic gift for your loved ones.
They offer a Gift Package where select a special star in the sky and record your Star Name and Star Date.

So you are sure to get off to a flying start and the desired effect!

author - Chiara Ganzer

Wedding Gifts For Bridal Party

As a thank you to the wedding bridal party for taking part in your special day it is customary for the bride and groom to purchase gifts.

Gifts are normally purchased for each person in your bridal party. Purchasing gifts online from wedding gift companies can be a great time-saver. If you want to buy your gifts personally then it will mean hitting the shops. Remember to set yourself a realistic budget and stick to it. Try not to let the emotions of the upcoming event compel you to overspend.

Write a list of those in your wedding party for whom you need to purchase. Purchase gift-wrap, although many stores will gift-wrap the presents for you. This will also save you some time.

Do your shopping early - Do not leave your gift buying expeditions until too late. You will be under enough stress besides worrying about gifts.

Depending on your budget, these gifts can be anything from token gifts to expensive jewellery and gadgets for the groomsmen.

Here are a few ideas to help you decide on your wedding gifts:

Bridesmaids - Ideal choices for the ladies in the bridal party are perfume and pieces of jewellery, like necklaces, bracelets earrings etc. Mementoes such as engraved champagne or wines glasses are nice as a reminder of the special day.

If your sister happens to be your bridesmaid there are beautiful statues from 'Willow Tree' called 'Sisters'. I purchased one for my own sister, who was my chief bridesmaid, and she was touched!

Best-man/Groomsmen - There are dainty personalized wedding party gifts in the form of cufflinks available for the men in your bridal party from from online stores like confetti.co.uk. These are the perfect gift. Aftershave or gift vouchers from the high street are also a firm favorite. Men in the wedding party are much easier to buy for.

Page-boy/Flower-girl - Purchasing wedding gifts for the younger members of the party should not be too much of a chore. Depending on their ages, gifts can range from novelty toys to gadgets for the boys and jewellery for the girls.

Mother of the bride and groom - It is customary to present a bouquet of flowers to the respective mothers on the day of your wedding. These tokens can be purchased from your wedding florist. You may also offer a bouquet to the grandmothers of the bride and groom to involve them in your special day.

Wedding gifts are traditionally offered at the close of the best-mans' speech. Try not to forget!

Remember though, wedding bridal gifts should only be offered if affordable and is not compulsory. A simple thank you card or a kind word to your party on the day of your wedding can be just as touching and appreciative than a gift itself.