Traditional Vs Modern Anniversary Gifts

Most people are familiar with the traditional materials list that good etiquette requires us use as a guide when selecting a gift to commemorate a wedding anniversary. If you are like most people, you might find it a bit challenging to convert the materials on the list into an acceptable gift idea. There may be more choices available to you than you realize. Do you know that an updated modern gift list is available which is becoming more and more popular? This article touches on the history of the traditional, highlights the differences between the modern and traditional lists, and helps you decide which is right for you. Parts of the traditional list have existed since medieval times. Historians can trace the origins of silver and golden anniversaries to medieval Germany, where garlands made of these metals were presented as gifts for the th and th years of marriage. The rest of the list may not be as traditional as you think. I was surprised to learn that the traditional list, as we know it today, did not exist until . In that year, the American National Retail Jeweler Association published a list, which associated a material for each Anniversary up to the th year and then each fifth year after that up to the th Anniversary. The following is the materials list from , through the th year:

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

The modern anniversary materials list presents us with a contemporary, easier to use alternative. The modern list has no clear beginning, but like the original, each years gift is more precious than the last. This arrangement is intended to honor the longevity of the commitment. The new list retains the spirit of the traditional list, but loses some of the sense of etiquette in the original. Although more convenient, the modern list sacrifices the thoughtfulness previously required to make a good gift from the more mundane materials on the old list. However, the modern list is more extravagant (expensive) than the original, which in some cases may be more appreciated than a thoughtful but humble gift from the traditional list. The following is the widely accepted modern list, through the th year:

First Clocks Second China Third - Crystal/ Glass Fourth Appliances Fifth Silverware Sixth - Candy/Iron Seventh - Desk Sets Eighth - Bronze/Pottery Ninth - Linen/Lace Tenth Leather Eleventh Jewelry Twelfth Pearls Thirteenth - Textiles/Furs Fourteenth - Gold Jewelry Fifteenth Watches Twentieth Platinum Twenty-Fifth Silver Thirtieth Diamond Thirty-Fifth Jade Fortieth Ruby Forty-Fifth Sapphire Fiftieth Gold Fifty-fifth Emerald Sixtieth Diamond Jubilee

For most couples, I recommend using the modern list. When selecting a gift from the modern list you have the benefit of more specificity, for example a desk set is much more clear than copper/wool. With the modern list, you wont risk insulting your spouse by rewarding years of companionship with a pitiful tin or aluminum gift. Believe me, she wont be satisfied with the excuse of tradition. Also, good luck finding the ivory candlesticks for year ! Unless you really enjoy the creative challenge of using the traditional list, try the modern list this year.