Give tradition a unique spin!
The western practice of giving anniversary gifts dates back to the Middle Ages. There's a lot of debate over where some of these "traditional" gift expectations came from, but they've been observed for at least a century. While the "traditional" expectations for anniversary gifts are optional, we looked at some interesting and charming gifts for your partner to celebrate your special day.
First Anniversary: Paper
Karakuri is the Japanese art of making simple moving machines out of paper. If you're both looking for a memorable anniversary gift, then these Karakuri Craft Kits are just the thing for you. Just like a stack of paper that will eventually become a mechanical dog, your marriage is something that you constantly build and refine. Also, maybe you want to keep your marriage out of the rain like these adorable paper inventions? Not all the metaphors track; just focus on this adorable kit that makes a Shiba Inu!
Second Anniversary: Cotton
Two words: Dog Socks. There are no gift-giving situations where socks this adorable and comfortable won't be appreciated. They even have little paws that grab your ankle! These also mark one of the few instances in which staring down at your feet will actively make you feel better.
Third Anniversary: Leather
There's something profound about giving or receiving a journal. Keeping one is a long-term commitment that's pretty personal and introspective. Giving someone a journal indicates a deep degree of emotional investment in somebody because it's showing someone that you care about how they emotionally grow in the future. These handmade journals feature a beautiful design that adds a certain authentic flair.
Fourth Anniversary: Fruit
This is another no-brainer: the avocado blanket. It's perfect for any situation. Want to express your love of guacamole? Boom, avocado blanket. Looking to bundle up on the couch during a cold winter night? Boom, avocado blanket. Want to communicate to other people at the picnic site that you're quirky, but in a fun way? Boom, avocado blanket. Short of a need for actual, edible guacamole, there's no situation where this blanket doesn't work.
Fifth Anniversary: Wood
These perpetual calendars are a beautiful addition to any environment. Not only that, but they come in kits that require solving puzzles to put them together. Not only does this yield an interesting looking decoration, but it also lets you tap into the innate but seldom celebrated romance in assembling a complex mechanical calendar together.
Sixth Anniversary: Iron
"I don't know. What do you want to do?" Take the guesswork out of date nights with these handy date dice! Simply roll 1 die for a short date or 2 dice for an all-day event! Rolling both gives you 36 possible combinations, so it'll take a while before you've exhausted all of the date options that these dice can provide. Once you're done, you can always retire these to a Monopoly game box to ensure some fierce litigation on the rules sometime later.
Seventh Anniversary: Wool
If you find yourself having laundry-oriented disagreements, this is the perfect gift to diffuse them. If your laundry is still completely diplomatic, this is a great chance to be pre-emptive. These adorable sloth dryer balls are made from wool and are sure to make for a welcome addition to your laundry room. They look so friendly in that special, slightly vacant sloth way.
Eighth Anniversary: Bronze
This bronze print shows the soundwave of the phrase "I love you." Having something like this cast in metal is a good visual reminder of how strong your marriage is, and how strong it'll be in the future. If you want a custom message, there's an opportunity in this print to get one of those framed instead. Either way, this is a subtle but effective decoration to remind your partner that you care about them.
Ninth Anniversary: Pottery
Waterfall incense burners look really, really cool. Although they have a basic design, these are a great way to add a little mystique to any room. Designs can range from simple to complex, and this particular model feels like a nice middle ground. There's something borderline hypnotic about watching the smoke gently billow, and this is a great way to circulate whichever incense scents you like the most.
Tenth Anniversary: Tin
Okay, we know, we know. A tin of delicious chocolate-covered pretzels is certainly more about the pretzels than the tin. We would also argue, however, that chocolate-covered pretzels are a lot more enjoyable of a gift than a metal who's most famous for being the lamer 50 percent of bronze. At the very least, these pretzels taste better.
Do you know any particularly fun or memorable wedding anniversary presents? Let us know in the comments below!
