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