Wedding anniversaries are special milestones in a marriage that give a couple the chance to reflect on the year past and look to the future. The first anniversary is the perfect time to look back at the wedding video, with following anniversaries also special, being a chance to reconnect as a couple when life can be busy with work, careers, childcare and other family responsibilities.

There are also flowers and colours associated with each anniversary which are used by many couples when considering their exchange of gifts, as well as by friends and family of the couple who want to gift something meaningful. Here is a list of wedding anniversaries to help with future gift-giving when the couple have been together for one or 80 years. With so many different options, you are sure to be inspired.

Traditional gifts, modern gifts, flowers, gemstones and colours

Since each wedding anniversary marks the progress of a marriage from the fragile early years to the more solid and precious later years, the gifts associated with each one mirror the progress. For example, the first anniversary gift is paper, whilst a 25th anniversary is marked with silver and the 60th anniversary by diamonds. Flowers are symbolic of loyalty (pansy) or love (rose). Gemstones also have meanings relevant to anniversaries.

Wedding Anniversary Gifts

How to use the symbolic anniversary gift ideas

Using the table of anniversary gifts and symbols can mark the day in a special way, particularly between spouses. Some couples have created their own anniversary traditions using the gift ideas and symbolism and have found these helpful when searching for gifts at other times of the year also.

As an example, roses are a generic gift to mark a romantic occasion since they represent love in all its forms. However, red roses require no thought or planning which may disappoint the spouse but choosing a rose in the colour that represents the specific anniversary year adds depth to the gift that is appreciated. Attach a letter of love and appreciation and you have the perfect gift each year.

It is now possible to gift a rose preserved for a lifetime. These are available in a variety of colours to suit an anniversary. This means that over the years of marriage a beautiful piece of home décor will appear from a single rose to a colourful bouquet that can act as a daily reminder of the strength of your relationship.