| Almost everyone has heard about the traditions of | | | | diamond gifts on this anniversary as well, which |
| the silver and gold anniversary. These are incredibly | | | | makes it easy on the husband who prefers to just |
| important dates in the married lives of any couple. | | | | buy jewelry. |
| One could argue that these milestones have even | | | | Year Fifteen (Crystal): Crystal means that it is time |
| more significance today, with the rate of divorce | | | | for an updated dining set, one that will be used solely |
| higher in North America than ever before. | | | | on important occasions. The idea here, of course, is |
| The 25 (silver) and 50 (gold) year milestones of a | | | | that any kids are now past the age where they are |
| couple's wedding anniversary are not the only dates | | | | likely to get into cupboards and destroy expensive |
| that have meaning, titles, and symbols attached, | | | | dinner-ware. |
| however. In fact, there is a wedding anniversary | | | | Year Twenty (China): Hosting parties is becoming all |
| name for every year that a couple is married, and | | | | the rage at the two decade point in your marriage. |
| some sources will suggest that gifts exchanged | | | | It's time to update the china collection or, if you didn't |
| incorporate the materials the occasion is named after. | | | | get any for the wedding, to create one. Modern |
| To really impress your wife, you can not only | | | | traditions also say that platinum is an appropriate |
| remember your anniversary date but surprise her by | | | | material for this occasion, and you might want to |
| showing that you know what the year stands for, | | | | consider replacing your wedding rings or other types |
| societally speaking. | | | | of platinum jewelry. |
| For the purposes of this article, the materials have | | | | Year Twenty-Five (Silver Jubilee): Somewhere |
| been sorted on a five year cycle, with the exception | | | | between the twenty and twenty fifth anniversaries |
| of the first year. Keep in mind, though, that each | | | | is the second long rough patch that most couples |
| year up until year fifteen has a specific material. | | | | experience in their marriages. As with the fifth year, |
| After the fifteenth year, the intervals are in groups | | | | this is a time of significant change in the lives of most |
| of five years. You will no doubt find that some years | | | | couples, as kids have all or mostly moved out, or at |
| of marriage are more difficult than others; these | | | | the very least have grown up and are independent. |
| years are especially important when it comes to your | | | | Couple will often look at each other and find that |
| anniversary, as you will want to be reminded and | | | | they have to totally readjust to living on their own |
| remind your significant other that you can get | | | | again. |
| through the tough times. | | | | Year Thirty (Pearl): Pearls are one of the easiest |
| Year One (Paper): This is a very important | | | | options when it comes to material to incorporate as |
| anniversary year, and the reason why should be | | | | a gift, at least if you are the husband. It might be |
| obvious to anyone. In keeping with the traditional | | | | more difficult to find a pearl gift for the husband, so |
| label, you can give each other poems or stories, or | | | | ladies should consider the modern allowance for |
| simply a recounting of the highlights of the past year. | | | | another diamond gift. |
| Photographs also count as paper gifts. Some couples | | | | Year Thirty-Five (Jade): There are plenty of |
| choose to go the modern route for this anniversary, | | | | decorations and ornaments made from jade, so |
| and according to some sources the appropriate gift | | | | keeping the tradition of year thirty-five is easy for |
| for this occasion is a clock (including watches; alarm | | | | both husband and wife. You might even consider a |
| clocks are also appropriate). | | | | trip to an area of the world that is famous for jade |
| Year Five (Wood): The fifth year of marriage is | | | | production, such as India, as a great anniversary |
| generally regarded as the first really difficult one. It is | | | | getaway. |
| important on this occasion to really dig deep to make | | | | At this point in most people's marriage, they are too |
| this anniversary special. Most couples find that they | | | | comfortable to be worried about customary |
| have at least one child by this anniversary, so it is | | | | traditions and gifts. The next big date on the |
| important to arrange some time for yourselves. | | | | anniversary calendar is the gold anniversary at fifty, |
| Some gifts to consider might be items of furniture to | | | | with the emerald five years later and the diamond |
| update the look of your bedroom, or a set of tools | | | | celebrations five years after that. When outlined in an |
| to help with projects around the house for the handy | | | | article such as this, it may seem as though reaching |
| husband. Modern custom also allows for silverware to | | | | the 60 year, diamond jubilee is a piece of cake. |
| be given as a gift on this anniversary. | | | | Consider, though, that couples that marry very |
| Year Ten (Tin or Aluminum): By the tenth year, most | | | | young will still not see this anniversary until they are |
| couples are fairly balanced and have a good routine | | | | in their eighties, and the concept of special |
| going. Frames to hold family or even wedding | | | | anniversaries can be seen from a whole new |
| pictures, cookware, or an engraved plaque with | | | | perspective. All anniversaries are special occasions, |
| significant meaning are all special gifts on this occasion. | | | | and knowing the materials that mark the year will |
| Modern custom allows for couples to exchange | | | | make it all the more significant. |