How to Buy an Anniversary Gift

By eHow Weddings Editor

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The tradition of tying gifts to particular wedding anniversaries began in central Europe. Medieval German wives received silver wreaths on their 25th anniversary, gold ones on their 50th. Other traditions have added to the eight original gifts. (Diamonds, which originally marked the 60th anniversary, are now common gifts early in marriage.) Here's how to marry the old with the new.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1

Learn the "significant" anniversary traditions. Nearly every anniversary year has a traditional material associated with it. But familiarize yourself with one year (paper), five years (wood), 10 years (tin/aluminum), 15 years (crystal), 20 years (china), 25 years (silver, 30 years (pearl), 35 years (coral), 40 years (ruby), 45 years (sapphire), 50 years (gold), 55 years (emerald) and 60 years (diamond).

Step2

Educate yourself on some of the more obscure anniversary traditions that might be fun to explore. The third anniversary is the leather anniversary. The 11th anniversary is the silk anniversary. The fourth is fruits or flowers. Planting an apple tree, for instance, is a meaningful gift and fun to do as a couple.

Step3

Try to drop hints to get an idea of what they like or don't like. The 14th anniversary is the ivory anniversary. But if your spouse has a deep affection for elephants, this might not be a good idea.