Gifts reflect the nature of marriage

By Kath Gannaway
THE origin of giving a certain type of gift to commemorate wedding anniversaries is unknown but there’s no mistaking the thought behind each gift.
Traditionally, paper marks the first anniversary, china the 20th, and for those few who reach a magical 75 years together, a diamond represents the strength and enduring nature of a relationship that has spanned so many years and, in most cases, the ups and downs life brings over so many years.
The intent can be discerned from the pattern of the early list of recommended gifts:
First – paper;
Fifth – wood;
10th – tin;
15th – crystal;
20th – china;
25th – silver;
50th – gold;
75th – diamond.
Over time gifts came to be associated with other anniversary years and, reflecting the desire for more choice in almost everything, couples can now select not only from the traditional list of gifts but from lists of modern gifts and gemstones as well.
First – paper, clocks, gold jewellery.
Second – cotton, china, garnet.
Third – leather/linen, crystal/glass, pearl.
Fourth – fruit/flowers/books, appliances, blue topaz.
Fifth – wood, silverware, sapphire.
Sixth – candy/iron, wood, amethyst.
Seventh – wool/copper/brass, desk sets, onyx.
Eighth – bronze/pottery, linens/laces, tourmaline.
Ninth – pottery, leather, lapis.
10th – tin/aluminium, diamond jewellery, diamond.
11th – steel, fashion jewellery, turquoise.
12th – silk/linen, pearl, jade.
13th – lace, textiles/furs, citrine.
14th – ivory, gold jewellery, opal.
15th – crystal, watches, ruby.
20th – china, platinum, emerald.
25th – silver, silver, silver.
30th – pearl, diamond, pearl.
35th – coral, jade, emerald.
40th – ruby.
45th – sapphire.
50th – Gold, gold and more gold!
55th – Emerald and alexandrite.
60th – Diamonds.
75th – Diamonds again … you can never have too many!