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