On May 25, 2011, I will have been married 20 years. First and foremost, I can't believe it has been that long. I feel too young to be able to say that I have been married 20 years.
Since, I need to figure out an anniversary gift for my husband, I thought I would share the list of suggestions for the typical couple. My husband is not typical, so I will list what I have given him or what he would appreciate.
Traditional Modern My Gift to my Husband
Year 1 Paper Clocks, Plastic, Gold jewelry Gold Claddaugh ring (wedding ring)
Year 2 Cotton China, Cotton, Garnet, Calico Cotton t-shirt (will only wear cotton)
Year 3 Leather Crystal, Glass, Pearls Photo album
Year 4 Fruit, Flowers Appliances, Linen, Silk, Blue Topaz Olives
Year 5 Wood Silver, Sapphire
Year 6 Sugar, Iron Wood, Candy, Amethyst Chocolate Truffles
Year 7 Wool, Cooper Brass, Desk Set, Onyx Cooper Church Key
Year 8 Bronze, Pottery Appliances, Linen, Lace, Jewelry Beer Mug
Year 9 Pottery, Willow Leather, Lapis Jewelry Whiskey glass
Year 10 Tin, Aluminum Diamond Jewelry Card w/ Aluminum embellishment
Year 11 Steel Fashion, Turquoise Jewelry Card
Year 12 Silk, Linen Pearls, Jade Card
Year 13 Lace Textiles, Fur, Citrine Card
Year 14 Ivory Gold Jewelry, Opal Card
Year 15 Crystal Glass, Watches, Ruby Card
Year 16 Silver Hollowware, Peridot Card
Year 17 Furniture, Watch Card
Year 18 Porcelain, Cat's Eye Jewelry Card
Year 19 Bronze, Aquamarine Card
Year 20 China Platinum, Emerald Irish Whiskey Truffles & Chine TEAPOT
Year 21 Brass, Nickel
Year 25 Silver Sterling Silver
Year 30 Pearl Diamond
Year 35 Coral Jade
Year 40 Ruby Ruby, Garnet
Year 45 Sapphire Sapphire
Year 50 Gold Gold
For our first anniversary, I kidnapped my husband, rented a car, booked a cabin (turned out to be a hotel room with ants) and took him to Forest Lakes, AZ. We also took a day long drive along Route 66. I enjoyed the trip, my husband didn't enjoy it as much. It turns out he doesn't really like to be in the woods and when we drove up on a Saturday early evening it was foggy. It looked cool to me.
From about our third anniversary on, we have been having and raising kids which has been quite the rollercoaster ride. We were blessed and surprised right out of the gate with twin daughters and then 5 years later a son. Kids are fun but they take a good chunk of your play money and time. In the long run they are worth it, but that is why it got to be that I was lucky to be able to give him a card. Somehow on our 10th anniversary we were able to take a cruise with 2 other couples. We were all celebrating the same anniversary year!
Have fun with the list of Anniversary gift items. Be creative and get a gift that is sort of related keeping in mind what your spouse enjoys.
I will update this blog post after our Anniversary with my actual gift.
