Here is what we did for our first 5 years of marriage just to give you some ideas!
1st Anniversary - Paper
Tickets to Ama Luna by Cirque du Soleil
For our first anniversary, we went to see Ama Luna by Cirque du Soleil and it worked out as tickets to the show count as paper. We didn't realize this until we were planning what we should do for our second anniversary, so that was lucky! You can also do movie tickets, tickets to a sporting event, etc. Some other fun paper ideas would be to make origami together, write love letters, books, or a romantic coupon book.2nd Anniversary - Cotton
Socks and Underwear
We were pretty lame with this one and just went with socks and underwear, but we did make sure that the package indeed said they were made of cotton! Clothing is definitely an easy option for this traditional gift!
3rd Anniversary - Leather
Coasters
For leather, we got each other coaster sets as we couldn't agree on one design! I got him a set featuring the loon (Minnesota state bird) and he got me the set with our state on it (Minnesota). If you're a Minnesotan, you can get these coasters from Great Lakes Northern Outfitters. Otherwise, there are plenty of options on Etsy if you want another state or are looking for something else! Some other leather ideas you could do are key fobs, belts, wallets, jewelry,. and purses.
4th Anniversary - Fruit and Flowers
Pumpkin and Flowers
Our anniversary is in October, so this worked out perfectly! I got my husband a giant pumpkin so he could decorate our front door because guess what, a pumpkin is technically a fruit! He got me flowers, so simple and who doesn't love receiving fresh flowers? Some other fun ideas you could do are a fruit basket, order an edible arrangement, plant flowers or grow from seeds if you have a spring anniversary, or plant a fruit tree.
5th Anniversary - Wood
Point Driver Tool and Picture Frame
At this point, my husband had gotten into woodworking, so he decided he was going to make me a picture frame, but in order to finish it, he needed a Point Driver, so I bought him one. He basically gave me the picture frame without the glass and I gave him the tool so he could use the tool to finish the picture frame! Some other ideas you could do are jewelry or keepsake boxes, rocking chairs, wooden spoons, wood watch, and cutting boards.
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Some of our Anniversary Gifts |
I was surprised with paper airlines tickets for our first wedding anniversary. It is always fun to carry a theme through when celebrating anniversaries.
ReplyDeleteFinding good anniversary gifts is always struggle - I mean you are with the person every day and you want it to be the perfect gift... great starting place this list.
ReplyDeleteI need to start something like this, I love the idea this year will be our 8th anniversary. So I think I need to start looking around for something.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea these were the traditional gifts! I'll have to keep this in mind going forward!
ReplyDeleteThese are top knotch ideas. I loved the gifts I got.
ReplyDeleteTickets for the 1st anniversary is a genius idea!
ReplyDeleteI really like the first and fourth anniversary gifts. Tickets to any show is a great gift and a giant pumpkin reminds me Charlie Brown.
ReplyDeleteI love that you are sticking to tradition when it comes to anniversary gifts. The only ones I was aware of before were 25 and 50, I will have to check out the list for all the years!
ReplyDeleteI have been married for nine yeas and am bummed we never did this!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a fun tradition to carry out! I would love to do this.
ReplyDeleteReally great ideas!! I love how you incorporated exchanging gifts to fit the tradition like the wood! SO sweet! Now I'm looking forward to all the other years! :)
ReplyDeleteThe ideas are so practical snd implementable. Sharing it with my friends.
ReplyDeleteYou know, when I was married, we didn't do anything the traditional way, with the exception of the ceremony. I always looked as the anniversary gift tradition as a little obscure. However, after reading through your list, I can see how much easier it is than I thought it would be. I love the idea of concert tickets for paper, especially!
ReplyDeleteI love these ideas! My husband and I just celebrated our third anniversary last week and we were wondering what the traditional gift was. So funny that it's leather. Definitely have to keep these in mind for the future. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting married this fall, so this post is super helpful for anniversary gift ideas. I can't wait for our first year, I know exactly what tickets I'll be getting him :)
ReplyDeleteAwe, congrats!
DeleteI've never heard of using leather coasters before, do they work well against water? very cute gift ideas post:)
ReplyDeleteYes, they work very well, we still use ours!
DeleteThese are great ideas as I'm in my fist 5 years still :)
ReplyDeleteI love the modern ideas for the classic gifts! I just had my first wedding anniversary and I suppose taking our (much belated!) honeymoon was the gift--so our plane tickets and itinerary counted :)
ReplyDeleteThis is great to know! I'll definitely be reminding my husband that our upcoming 3rd anniversary gifts are supposed to be leather. I'd love a new pair of leather boots or a cute leather purse :)
ReplyDeletexx Tatyanna
http://www.apopoflife.com
This is cool! I always thought the traditional anniversary gifts seemed weird, but I think it's because I wasn't being as creative as you guys were. I like this idea a lot!
ReplyDeleteThese are great anniversary gift ideas. We definitely didn't follow the traditions lol
ReplyDeleteI love these ideas! Plane tickets are great for paper! I wish my husband and I had started this from the beginning, but maybe we can pick up at year nine!
ReplyDeleteThese are such great anniversary ideas! The plane tickets are the most creative and thoughtful gift for paper! I was always stumped about how thoughtful paper gifts could be! I wish we followed these traditions as we've already been married for 5 years.. but you've inspired me to begin starting from next year! <3
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This is such a classic and fun idea! And great twists on the ideas too!
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas! We have never done traditional gifts, but might have to start!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to use the traditional gift guide! I always struggle with what to get my hubby for anniversaries. This year we ended up going on two dates. I have to say, I loved the idea of "experiences" as gifts vs material gifts!
ReplyDeleteWhile one can overhaul the market, surf the net and burn a hole in the purse, choosing the perfect gift requires some thinking and a little homework family tree gifts Personalised baby gifts are the most thoughtful gifts for babies
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