Wedding Anniversary Gifts - Shop Around
By: Jen Carter
Shop Around for Anniversary Gifts
There’s a list of traditional wedding anniversary gifts that should be given each year. Although many couples find these traditional items a little dull, there’s still a lot of “old fashioned” couples that follow this list on an annual basis. Whether you’re a modern couple or an “old fashioned” couple, you have to admit that some traditional wedding anniversary gifts are a little odd. If you’re confused by our term of ‘traditional wedding gifts,’ we’re referring to a traditional gift list that many couples follow on an annual basis.
For instance, according to this traditional list, a newly wed couple’s first year anniversary gift should be…are you ready? Paper. Well, that’s simple enough. We’ll take money! If only men read into things like us women do. Instead, traditional men usually opt for cards, magazine subscriptions, personalized journals, engraved albums, and memo pads. Sounds a little boring, doesn’t it? If you‘re snoring at the idea of those gifts than you’re definitely more of a contemporary person. Nevertheless, you can always give or receive a gift certificate as a traditional first anniversary gift. It’s paper, and you can purchase anything you want with it. Now that doesn’t sound so bad, does it?
Despite many couples‘ admiration of these traditional gifts, we advise modern couples not to get caught in the traditional gift trap. While that may sound harsh, we realize that the times are changing. If paper didn’t sound like an odd enough gift to you, try the second year anniversary gift of…cotton. Yes, cotton. You can almost see the scenario unfold before your eyes. “Just what I wanted, a pillow!” Yikes. Sometimes being non-traditional has its advantages. There are no guidelines to follow. Anything and everything is open for consideration as a gift.
An excellent anniversary gift idea is a photo album. While it may not sound very appealing, consider a solid finished wood album with your family name engraved upon the cover, or “our family memories.” The album doesn’t have to contain photographs. It can be a scrapbook of your finest memories. Ticket stubs from years ago when you and your spouse were “dating,” a token from your wedding, images of your children. You can fill an album with anything. Just remember to be creative.
There’s a number of gifts that can say “I love you” on your anniversary. Roses, cards, chocolates, and jewelry are all gifts that express remembrance of your special day. But liven it up a little! Try wrapping the gift yourself. Add something funny to the card. Show your spouse that it wasn’t a purchase which required little effort. It was something that you thought about in advance. Presentation is a very important aspect in gift giving.
Forget about paper, cotton, and traditional gifts; unless of course, you want to receive a box of Q-Tips for your anniversary. That’s a scary thought, isn’t it? But here’s the point: There’s not supposed to be a set of gift related rules! Anniversaries are meant to be celebrated, not dreaded. Use your imagination and surprise your spouse every year. Buy or make something that you know your spouse will adore. It’ll show that you’ve put some thought into your gift. Remind them why they fell in love with you, and they’ll do it all over again.
Jen Carter is owner of My Wedding Blog, a free wedding planner. Find more wedding gifts and favor ideas articles in our wedding favors and gifts category.
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