How to Buy a 50th-Year Wedding Anniversary Gift

The momentous occasion that celebrates fifty years of marriage is traditionally symbolized with gifts of gold.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gift Ribbons
• Tissue Paper
• Anniversary Greeting Cards
• Electronic Greeting Cards
• Flowers
• Gift Bags
• Gift Bows
• Storage Chests
• Wrapping Paper
• A Fine Chardonnay
• A Gold Key Chains
• Jewelry
• Gold Tasting Spoons
• Gift Certificates
• Spa Gift Certificates
• Travel Gift Certificates
• Tissue paper

1. Follow tradition and give gold for the 50th jubilee; try to think creatively, though, not literally.

2. Put extensive thought into selecting a gift for your spouse. When shopping for a couple, consult people who know their tastes and preferences, especially for this big celebration.

3. Interpret gold as treasure. A gold key for key rings, golden caviar and tasting spoon or a storage chest or wooden box make ideal gifts.

4. Consider a nontraditional gift, perhaps something for you and your partner to do together such as trip to the Golden Door Spa, gold mining in Northern California or a Gold Coast getaway. Such a present would also work well for a couple.

5. Enclose a personal gift card recognizing that 50 years of marriage is a big milestone.

Tips & Warnings

• Real gold in small objects like a tiny gold treasure box reflects the spirit of the occasion.
• Jewelry is an obvious, and good, choice when looking for gold-themed gifts--especially when the item itself is unique. A fine Chardonnay is a fun play on the theme. And don't forget that flowers are always a welcome means to herald the event.
• Usually only the immediate family buys expensive anniversary presents.

on 8/8/2006 Collect small gifts (if you can afford it, get 50) with the theme word "gold" e.g. Gold Blend Coffee, Golden Grahams, anything with a gold wrapper, Golden wonder crisps, etc. Fill a gold basket by first filling the base with gold paper that you have put through the shredder, then arrange the items in the basket, scatter golden sugared almonds around, wrap the basket in florists plastic and tie with a big gold bow and a gold tag ... voil!

I did this for a friend's golden wedding and got together with a few friends each given the task to find a specific number of presents with no repeats, I have also done them for new babies, weddings etc.

on 6/30/2006 My grandparents 50th anniversary is a month away, and for their present my mother found a bunch or old photos of them and restored them on the computer. She's compiling all the pictures into a scrapbook that will also include all the children and grandchildren, basically their whole lives together.

on 11/22/2005 For my parents 50th year wedding anniversary I gathered as many pictures as I could of their life together, starting with their dating and ending at the present. I included their wedding, pictures of them with their parents, pictures of them with their children and grandchildren - taking care to mark special occasions such as weddings, graduations, christenings, etc. I scanned them all and I then created a slide show on Microsoft Powerpoint. The pictures were in chronological order, and I added an introductory slide with a title. I made sure the transition between slides was a fade out/fade in, for a softer effect. I then added music (easy to do in Powerpoint). I chose classic and also more current songs ("Can't Help Falling in Love with You" by Elvis, "Still the One" by Shania Twain). The music was really the key, it really stirred the emotions and narrated the show.

At the big family celebration, we turned down the lights and ran the slide show. My parents were crying within 10 seconds of its starting! By the time it was done, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. My parents were speechless, seeing their life together flash right in front of their eyes. I made copies for everyone.

This is easier than it sounds. I'm no pro at Powerpoint, but it's so user-friendly. It is quite time consuming, but it is definitely worth the time.

on 11/22/2005 When my father was reaching 50, we browsed the family photo box and selected 'typically Dad' photographs: starting from him (age ± 8 yrs) hanging over his (20+ yrs old) brother's motorbike, ending with the photo of his 25th wedding anniversary. All photos, together with important newsflashes that we dug up, were scattered randomly on an A3-size wrapping paper and placed in a picture frame. The picture frame was shown to every visitor before they even got the chance to congratulate him.

on 11/22/2005 For my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary, I collected photographs from all of their immediate family members and scanned them to create a slide show. We played this slide show at their wedding anniversary party. The show had pictures from the last 50 years of their life and with everyone who was at the party. Everyone, including my in-laws, were delighted to see the pictures. This gift was appreciated by all.