| Most people are familiar with the traditional | | | | The modern anniversary materials list presents us |
| materials list that good etiquette requires us use | | | | with a contemporary, easier to use alternative. |
| as a guide when selecting a gift to commemorate | | | | The modern list has no clear beginning, but like the |
| a wedding anniversary. If you are like most | | | | original, each year's gift is more precious than the |
| people, you might find it a bit challenging to | | | | last. This arrangement is intended to honor the |
| convert the materials on the list into an | | | | longevity of the commitment. The new list retains |
| acceptable gift idea. There may be more choices | | | | the spirit of the traditional list, but loses the some |
| available to you than you realize. Do you know | | | | of the sense of etiquette in the original. Although |
| that an updated "modern" gift list is available which | | | | more convenient, the modern list sacrifices the |
| is becoming more and more popular? This article | | | | thoughtfulness previously required to make a |
| touches on the history of the traditional list, | | | | good gift from the more mundane materials on |
| highlights the differences between the modern | | | | the old list. However, the modern list is more |
| and traditional lists, and helps you decide which is | | | | extravagant (expensive) than the original, which in |
| right for you. | | | | some cases may be more appreciated than a |
| Parts of the traditional list have existed since | | | | thoughtful but humble gift from the traditional list. |
| medieval times. Historians can trace the origins of | | | | The following is the widely accepted modern list, |
| silver and golden anniversaries to medieval | | | | through the 60th year: |
| Germany, where garlands made of these metals | | | | * First - Clocks |
| were presented as gifts for the 25th and 50th | | | | * Second - China |
| years of marriage. The rest of the list may not | | | | * Third - Crystal/ Glass |
| be as traditional as you think. I was surprised to | | | | * Fourth - Appliances |
| learn that the traditional list, as we know it today, | | | | * Fifth - Silverware |
| did not exist until 1937. In that year, the American | | | | * Sixth - Candy/Iron |
| National Retail Jeweler Association published a list, | | | | * Seventh - Desk Sets |
| which associated a material for each Anniversary | | | | * Eighth - Bronze/Pottery |
| up to the 15th year and then each fifth year | | | | * Ninth - Linen/Lace |
| after that up to the 60th Anniversary. The | | | | * Tenth - Leather |
| following is the materials list from 1937, through | | | | * Eleventh - Jewelry |
| the 60th year: | | | | * Twelfth - Pearls |
| * First - Paper | | | | * Thirteenth - Textiles/Furs |
| * Second - Cotton | | | | * Fourteenth - Gold Jewelry |
| * Third - Leather | | | | * Fifteenth - Watches |
| * Fourth - Fruit/Flowers | | | | * Twentieth - Platinum |
| * Fifth - Wood | | | | * Twenty-Fifth - Silver |
| * Sixth - Candy/Iron | | | | * Thirtieth - Diamond |
| * Seventh - Wool/Copper | | | | * Thirty-Fifth - Jade |
| * Eighth - Bronze/Pottery | | | | * Fortieth - Ruby |
| * Ninth - Pottery/Willow | | | | * Forty-Fifth - Sapphire |
| * Tenth - Tin/Aluminum | | | | * Fiftieth - Gold |
| * Eleventh - Steel | | | | * Fifty-fifth - Emerald |
| * Twelfth - Silk/Linen | | | | * Sixtieth - Diamond Jubilee |
| * Thirteenth - Lace | | | | For most couples, I recommend using the modern |
| * Fourteenth - Ivory | | | | list. When selecting a gift from the modern list |
| * Fifteenth - Crystal | | | | you have the benefit of more specificity, for |
| * Twentieth - China | | | | example a desk set is much more clear than |
| * Twenty-Fifth - Silver | | | | copper/wool. With the modern list, you won't risk |
| * Thirtieth - Pearl | | | | insulting your spouse by rewarding 10 years of |
| * Thirty-Fifth - Coral | | | | companionship with a pitiful tin or aluminum gift. |
| * Fortieth - Ruby | | | | Believe me, she won't be satisfied with the |
| * Forty-Fifth - Sapphire | | | | excuse of tradition. Also, good luck finding the |
| * Fiftieth - Gold | | | | ivory candlesticks for year 14! Unless you really |
| * Fifty-fifth - Emerald | | | | enjoy the creative challenge of using the |
| * Sixtieth - Diamond | | | | traditional list, try the modern list this year. |