Your Irish Wedding Anniversary Gift Guide
Posted by Olivia O’Mahony on 10th Sep 2018
A wedding anniversary is a special time of year no matter how it’s celebrated, but, as with wedding themselves, a touch of tradition can really bring out the beauty of the whole affair. One of the most common anniversary customs is, of course, the exchange of sentimental gifts—but did you know that the idea of specifically-themed anniversary gifts can be traced back to the Holy Roman Empire?
Mentions of this delightful—and sometimes challenging—practise appear in the records of English-speaking countries only as recently as the 1800s. However, since that time its popularity has only grown, and rightly so; what better way to express your love and commitment for your spouse than by bestowing them with gifts that represent the beauty of your union at each and every stage?
Here, we’ve compiled a list featuring some of the most significant anniversary milestones, as well as some great gift ideas to fit the bill—and all with a romantic Irish twist, of course.
YEAR ONE: PAPER
Gold Plated Bird Brooch inspired by the Book of Kells.
Even though the exhilaration of your brand-new union is undoubtedly still ringing like wedding bells in your ears, avoid getting so caught up that you forget to acquire this first anniversary essential. Prepare to say “I love you” more sincerely, more powerfully and more traditionally than ever before, all with the help of… paper.
Yes, paper. Though on a surface level it’s not exactly the most glamorous vessel for the celebration your first full year of wedded bliss, the exchange of paper between yourself and your partner is important in that it necessitates creativity—a critical trait for any fledgling married couple. Why not do away with digital devices for a day to compose each other love-notes by hand, or surprise your spouse with a jar full of paper slips, each one describing a trait of theirs that you adore? Do you love their freckles? Their laugh? Tell them on paper, and preserve the sentiment forever.
In addition to taking these ideas on board, it’s important to note that, in today’s day and age, the traditional wedding gift list exists on the back of guidelines, rather than hard-and-fast rules. As such, no one could say you were breaking them if you were to cleverly evoke the idea of paper with this stunningly colorful gold-plated bird brooch, inspired by the artwork of the masterfully-illuminated ancient manuscript, the Book of Kells. Created by Irish monks sometime between the 6th and 8th centuries, the book now resides in Trinity College, Dublin—making this jewelry piece the ideal way to bring a little Irish flair to your one-year anniversary gift.
FIVE YEARS: WOOD
Since the beginning of time, the presence of wood has promised shelter, warmth, and sustenance. Wood is strong, reliable and smooth—but oh how easily the tables can turn, for as anyone with an interest in the ways of old Ireland can tell you, wood (and the trees that yield it) has long been purported to be the dwelling-place of fairy folk who can bless or curse us simple humans as they please. Why else would those prone to superstition often politely knock on wood after uttering a phrase they feel might tempt fate?
On your fifth wedding anniversary, cleverly-appease any mischievous fairies peeking in on your happily-married world by decorating your home with this gorgeous hand-bell, harkening back to the old Irish tradition of ringing bells after a bride and groom have sealed their vows with a kiss. The clanging of the bells was said to ward off any wicked fairies by sounding out the strength of the marriage, and, for years later, the couple was to keep the original wedding bell in pride of place in their home, to be rung during any disagreements to call a truce, end the argument, and remind those pesky sprites that their relationship was steadfast as ever, and not to be trifled with. This wooden-handled bell will make an enchantingly rustic addition to the decor of any home, and is a wonderful means of displaying your love and commitment before all who enter.
10 YEARS: TIN
Tin. Yes, tin—while it’s much like paper and wood in that many might think it a less-than-glitzy substance to celebrate ten blessed years of marriage with, tin is a stronger material than its predecessors, and shinier, to boot. And while a gift of tin may not at first glance evoke a monumental occasion marking ten years of love, laughter, and life as a pair, this is a fantastic opportunity to work an exciting and touching gift into the day: namely, this amusing leprechaun money box tin.
When first handed to your beloved, this cute little guy might spark confusion—but just imagine the look on their face when they realize that this is the money box in which you’ll begin saving for your anniversary vacation in the beautiful Emerald Isle! Better yet, get saving in advance, and hand over a money box already loaded with the funds for the trip of your dreams… plus airline tickets, pre-printed. Let the journey begin!
Nothing says “thank you for an amazing decade” quite like the promise of future adventure and travel; it tells your partner loud and clear that they are, and always will be, your perfect companion on the trip down the long and winding road of life. With ten years of fond memories behind you, waste no time on making new ones. Kick the beginning of the next decade off just right, and get saving. Ireland awaits!
20 YEARS: CHINA
After twenty years of marriage, there’s no doubt that yourself and your spouse have seen your fair share of moments that call for a well-brewed cup of tea. Of course, if you’re Irish, these moments could be happy or sad, exciting or calm; the magic of a cup of tea really is its constancy under every circumstance. Considering this, it’s easy to see why the traditional marker for a twentieth marriage anniversary is a gift of fine china.
Take up this tradition by surprising your beloved with a gift that reflects the happy home you’ve created together over the course of your relationship, and the many moments of contentment and comfort you’ve shared under that same roof.
Perfect for a special anniversary party or brunch with family and friends, this classic Belleek Irish teapot is a beautiful homage to the classic Irish cottage of the likes of Quiet Man fame. Patterned with delicate, hand-painted green shamrocks, it makes a proudly Irish addition to any table setting—and the ideal centerpiece to a ring of one’s nearest and dearest, gathered around to share a meal in the name of love.
25 YEARS: SILVER
Gent Silver Celtic Knot Wedding Ring from ShanOre Jewelry.
The twenty-fifth wedding anniversary is among the most significant, historically-speaking. In old Germany, were a couple to live long enough to celebrate twenty-five years of marriage, the wife was visited at home by her friends and neighbours. They would bring her a silver wreath in order to celebrate the good luck of the couple to have been blessed with such longevity. On the celebration of the fiftieth year, the wife would receive a similar wreath, only in this case, it was to be woven from gold.
Thankfully, nowadays a silver anniversary has little to do with celebrating the thwarting of death. Joined together in love for a quarter of a century, a married couple can exchange a token of silver to represent the beginning of the rest of their happy life together. A wonderful way to achieve this is through the gift of a ring, in homage to the wedding rings put on for the first time twenty-five years previously. This silver men’s Celtic ring would make a truly moving offering on the (new) big day.
30 YEARS: PEARL
Sterling Silver Trinity Pearl Earrings.
Formed in the depths of the ocean behind the protective jaws of a clam, a pearl is a precious stone of deeply symbolic beauty: its opulent glimmer does not come without time, patience, and a hefty amount of luck. Taking all of this into consideration, it’s simple to understand why pearl has secured its place as the traditional gift exchanged in celebration of thirty years of love and companionship. Finding a pearl in a bed of dark, slippery clams, after all, is just about as fortuitous as stumbling into the love of your life one unsuspecting day, and yet it happens all the same.
As pearl is the precious stone associated with the Cancer zodiac sign, it is also closely-tied with lunar imagery, and as such, the best circumstances to present this beautiful gift of nature to your spouse under are during a romantic moonlit walk. By the ocean, you say? Even better.
As for the gift itself, we might suggest that you show the jewelry-loving apple of your eye just how much they mean to you his unusual stunning pair of Celtic silver pearl rose gold earrings. The contrasting hues of the metal and unusually-colored pearl are sure to draw the eye of any onlooker, ensuring the world knows just how much you appreciate finding this incredibly special person—and that, nurturing as a clam and patient as the ocean itself, you intend to prize and praise him or her with all of the time you have left on this earth.
40 YEARS: RUBY
Silver & Green Trinity Knot Celtic Cross Necklace.
As gemstones go, ruby is often named as being one of the most striking. Its rich hue can range from deep burgundy to a sharp, almost fruity pink, making it a versatile stone whose charm is consistently irresistible, no matter the taste of the observer—and after forty years of marriage, secrets shared, moments savored, it’s the perfect gift with which to say in no uncertain terms that you are, always have been, and forever will be passionately in love with your spouse.
Thanks to its additional role as the birth stone tied to those born during the month of July, sparkling ruby is abundantly present in all manner of jewelry pieces. However, we’re particularly head over heels (or ruby slippers?) for this tasteful and charming Claddagh heart pendant inlaid with the gorgeous red stone. The Claddagh symbol is famous among all those with an Irish connection for its representation of love on multiple, equally-important levels: the heart stands for adoration, the hands that clasp it for friendship, and the crown that sits atop them both for loyalty. Make your fortieth wedding anniversary gift doubly special—with the help of vivid rubies and the time-tested Claddagh brand, you truly can’t go wrong.
50 YEARS: GOLD
Tree of Life Pendant from Solvar Jewelry.The golden anniversary — it’s iconic for a reason. After fifty years of marriage, most couples can truly claim to have seen it all. They’ve explored the world together, learned countless life truths, settled down, unsettled, settled again. Some have children, who might even have children of their own. Careers have taken off, swept down to comfortable lulls, and money has come and gone. But through it all, the constance of happy marriage has been a bedrock—precious, rare, but most importantly, nigh unbreakable.
To celebrate the golden fifty-year anniversary, one of the most coveted milestones in life for so many couples, a special gift is called for—one which transcends the worth of the expensive metal itself: bring a tear to the eye of your wonderful life partner by presenting them with this 10-carat gold and emerald Tree of Life pendant. One of the most prominent symbols from old Celtic tradition, the Tree of Life has been closely associated with immortality and abundance since ancient times, and is a fitting choice for anyone wishing to depict the everlasting nature of their love when handing over an anniversary gift.
Golden anniversaries are also a wonderful opportunity for families to come together in celebration of the couple of the hour. Every second Sunday of September the United States and many other countries celebrate Grandparent’s Day (falling on September 9, 2018), so why not surprise your doting grandfolks with an early gold anniversary gift in acknowledgement of the healthy, happy clan their love has built over the years?