Anniversary Gifts and Traditions

An anniversary with your loved one is an exciting occasion. It shows how much you and your significant other have been through together, and how your love has grown over the years. You may be curious where this tradition came from — and you’re probably wondering what you should get them as a gift. Read on to find out more about this sentimental celebration and see our favorite picks for anniversary gift ideas.

What Is an Anniversary?

An anniversary is a celebration of a particular date. Usually, within a relationship, couples will reminisce on the day of their first date, their wedding, or the day they officially became a couple. It’s usually celebrated by exchanging gifts, sharing a nice meal, going on a trip, throwing a party, or another form of recognition. Anniversaries offer the opportunity to celebrate the life you’ve built together.

Where Did Anniversary Gift Lists Come From?

Throughout the Victorian era of the 1800s, more anniversary gifts by year were designated, with wood becoming the traditional gift associated with the fifth year of marriage, and diamond being related to the 75th. After Queen Victoria called her 60th year on the throne the “Diamond Jubilee,” the 60th wedding anniversary was also associated with diamonds. The Victorians were extremely fond of categorizing and classifying, so the idea of a list of gifts for each anniversary year quickly became popular.

If you’re confused about which gift matches up to which year, it may come as no surprise — there are a number of well-known anniversary gift lists that have gained traction over time. Emily Post listed eight traditional anniversaries in a 1922 publication, the “Blue Book of Social Usage,” while the American National Retail Jeweler Association also issued a comprehensive list in 1937. Here, the gifts increased in value over time, representing an ever-strengthening relationship. Currently, there are lists associated with flowers, colors, metals, jewelry, and more for each anniversary milestone. We happen to think jewelry always makes for the perfect gift!

Anniversary Rings

The tradition of giving anniversary rings to mark milestone wedding anniversaries has grown in popularity in recent years. But what exactly is an anniversary ring, and how does one wear it with their existing bands?

An anniversary ring is a band given to celebrate your years as a married couple. It usually mimics the look of a wedding band or engagement ring. While there’s no “right way” to wear an anniversary ring, there are a few popular ways these gifts are styled.

Switch It Out

One choice is to replace your wedding ring with an anniversary band, or otherwise switch them off depending on the day. If you have a particularly plain band, it may be fun to switch it out for something with a little more sparkle or a vintage-inspired feel.

Stackable Styles

Another option is to wear it along with your engagement ring and wedding band. You can create the look of “stackable” rings by getting something that matches nicely with your current rings, or, if you choose to only wear your engagement ring on special occasions, you can pick out an anniversary ring to match your traditional band for everyday wear. Shop stackable rings if you’re looking to add more than one to the mix.

A Whole New Look

You can also choose to wear the anniversary ring on the other hand entirely — this allows it to shine on its own and means you don’t have to worry about it clashing with your current style. Unlike a wedding or engagement ring, there’s no “traditional” hand or finger for an anniversary ring.

More Anniversary Gift Ideas

In addition to anniversary rings, there are many other jewelry options to consider when purchasing an anniversary gift. Check out a few of our favorite suggestions:

Anniversary Gifts by Year

Did you know each anniversary is associated with a specific gemstone or metal type? The practice of giving certain silver and gold gifts for anniversaries is believed to date back to medieval Germany, when silver wreaths represented the 25th anniversary and gold wreaths represented the 50th. Since then, certain jewelry gifts for anniversaries have become more popular in the past century. Learn more about anniversary gifts by year.

Engravable Jewelry

Another idea for a sweet anniversary gift is engravable jewelry. With this option, you can choose from necklaces, rings, and bracelets and add your own personal message to the piece. You might, for example, get an engraving of your anniversary date on the piece. You can also choose to incorporate any relevant anniversary gemstones and metals to make it extra meaningful.

Lockets

A locket is special because you can put a photo of the two of you inside. If you’re celebrating a wedding anniversary, a wedding photo would make for a special sentiment. You can also include a small memento or note. Many of the locket styles at Shane Co. are also engravable, so you can include both a photo and an inscription.

Tennis Bracelets

Tennis bracelets got their famous name in the 1980s, but they were originally thought of as “eternity bracelets” due to the endless loop of diamonds. This meaning indicates that, as a gift, a tennis bracelet represents your forever love. Tennis bracelets are often considered a status symbol, and they’re highly sought after due to their shine and sparkle. If you’re looking for an anniversary gift with a big “wow” factor, a tennis bracelet is a great choice.

Why Shop Shane Co.

With hundreds of exclusive styles made just for you at Shane Co., you’re sure to find the right anniversary gift for your special someone. You may want to consider our upgrade program if you’re looking to upgrade an original piece of jewelry as an anniversary gift. With non-commissioned sales associates and the largest selection of high-quality jewelry, Shane Co. is the best place to shop for all your anniversaries to come.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in July 2019 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.