Anniversaries: Silver and Gold

No one knows for sure when the first silver giftcouple is adorned with a golden crown during the
was bestowed. But as early as 3,100 B.C.,ceremony, and amalgamation of symbolic rites.
ambassadors from Crete were already bringingThe symbolic value of gold varies greatly around
silver vases as gifts for Egyptian rulers. Silver'sthe world, even within geographic regions. For
popularity has even influenced our languages andexample, gold is quite common in Turkey but
customs. A silver spoon has symbolized greatconsidered a most valuable gift in Sicily.
fortune and privilege since the 17th century whenFrom most ancient times, gold has been
the Spanish writer Cervantes cleverlyconnected to religion and spirituality, especially
acknowledged that not everyone was born withassociated with the Sun. It was also seen as the
one in his mouth. As best we can tell, the traditionbest material to decorate religious imagery, all
of the "silver anniversary" dates back toover history.
Germany where it was customary to present aThe 50th anniversary which is gold and you have
silver wreath to a woman after 25 years ofspent half a century together. What better cause
marriage.for a celebration? Golden weddings have been
Sterling silver is a favorite medium for todaysmarked for many years. In medieval Germany,
most innovative designers due to its affordabilitymen would present their wives with a golden
and malleability - it can be shaped into almost anywreath on their 50th anniversary. This was said to
form imaginable. A special gift of silver is asymbolize harmony.
touching and lasting expression of affection,Going for gold is the obvious choice for a 50th
friendship, celebration, congratulation or thanks.wedding gift and you may want to use the
The 25th anniversary is represented by silver.opportunity to buy each other new wedding rings
Silver weddings have a long tradition. In Medievalto add to your old ones. You could even have
Germany, husbands gave their wives a wreath ofspecial inscriptions made inside the rings to mark
silver when they had been married for 25 years.the occasion.
"Sylver brydells" are mentioned in an EnglishNobody can say with any amount of certainty
church record of 1624, and the term "silver feast"when the tradition of giving anniversary gifts
is attributed to the Germans in a letter to Drstarted. Most probably it evolved over time.
Samuel Johnson in 1806.Traditionally, each wedding anniversary is
Couples may want to buy something to special tocelebrated by giving a gift made from a different
commemorate this major milestone in theirmaterial. The first anniversary is symbolized with
relationship. You can choose from a huge selectionpaper, and subsequently anniversary gifts become
of silver items to celebrate your 25 yearsmore precious or scarce to reflect the growing
together - this could be a lovely silver frame fornumber of years a couple has remained together.
one of your wedding photographs, or even aSome say calling the twenty-fifth anniversary
piece of jewelry for each of you. There are noSilver Anniversary and the fiftieth anniversary
specific traditions other than the gift beGold Anniversary may have originated in medieval
constructed of silver, and that makes it a prettyEurope, where wives were given a silver wreath
interesting tradition but also leaves a lot of roomto celebrate their twenty-fifth year of marriage
for creativity.and a gold wreath for their fiftieth anniversary.
Wedding rings are traditionally made of gold; sinceDiamonds are traditional in both the sixtieth and
it is long-lasting and unaffected by the passage ofseventy-fifth years
time, it is considered a suitable material forAlex consults for a gift shop offering cheap
everyday wear as well as a metaphor for thewedding favors and gifts for her. Alex is recently
relationship. In Orthodox Christianity, the weddedmarried.