I am not sure who and when came up with wedding anniversary traditional gifts, but according to many sources these traditions go back to the Middle Ages. Each gift symbolized a significant milestone in a marriage and therefore was much more than a gift.

Whatever the case, it doesn’t hurt to know the rules and to consider these when shopping for a wedding anniversary gift.

1st wedding anniversary: paper.

Traditional gift of first wedding anniversary is paper. Paper symbolizes the strength which comes from the connection of paper’s individual threads and the intertwined emotions of two people.

Paper gifts may include postcards, calendar, notebook, book, or if you are feeling particularly generous, or got a bonus at work, – get travel tickets.

2nd wedding anniversary: cotton.

Cotton is associated with prosperity and durability and it is appropriate to give cotton made goodies for 2nd wedding anniversary/

You may get cotton sheets, cotton shirts, towel or if you really want to get something else, at least wrap your present in cotton.

3rd wedding anniversary: leather.

We all know that leather is one of the most durable materials, so giving leather for 3rd wedding anniversary symbolizes durability of marriage.

The ideas for traditional wedding anniversary gifts include leather belts, leather purse or wallet; leather shoes, if you are familiar with the taste of a person you are giving your gift too (and know the size, of course).

4th wedding anniversary: flowers/fruit.

Fruits and flowers symbolize blossoming and fruitful marriage.

Get a fruit basket and some flowers and you are all set.

5th wedding anniversary: wood.

Wood represents strength and solid relationship, so if you were eying new wooden furniture, but didn’t get your spouses approval yet, this may be the time to get it and test how strong your relationship really is.

On a serious note, you may get a pendant or a small wooden statue.
Wedding Anniversary Traditional Gifts part 2

Wedding Anniversary Traditional Gifts part 3