We know how challenging it can be to come up with a unique gift every year, which is why we’ve compiled a list of traditional wedding-anniversary gifts for some of the major milestones. But be warned – some of these gifts are so great you might want to keep them yourself!
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PS: This is the kind of post you want to be reading while sitting next to your partner so you can say: ‘How awesome is that?’ or ‘Isn’t this a lovely gift?’
Traditional anniversary gifts to celebrate the milestones:
1st anniversary: paper
A personalised journal or notebook can be a great way to incorporate paper. We love this one from Macaroon. It’s available in A5 and A4, and comes in almost 200 different designs!
A5 Botanic Orb Rose Journal | Macaroon | R270
2nd anniversary: cotton
Although we wouldn’t say no to pure cotton sleepwear, towels or even a cotton throw, you don’t always have to think so literally. Spoil your spouse with a set of mugs or a coffee press in Le Creuset’s Cotton. Brilliant!
800ml Coffee Press in Cotton | Le Creuset | R1 060
3rd anniversary: leather
Help your partner travel in style with a pretty yet practical leather duffel bag – it’s perfect for all your adventures together. Made from good-quality leather, this is an investment buy that will last as long as your marriage!
The Franklin in Pecan | Freedom of Movement | R4 495
4th anniversary: fruit/flowers
While a beautiful bouquet is a lovely gesture, a fragrance is a gift that keeps on giving. With hints of orange blossom and soft notes of rose and lily, Kiehl’s Original Musk is one of our favourite fruity floral scents. It’s designed as a unisex fragrance, but this one might be too good to share, even with the person you love the most!
Kiehl’s Musk EDT Spray 50ml | Edgars | R790
5th anniversary: wood
This one usually throws people a little, but there are some really great and unique options in the wood category – think bonsai, engraved wooden jewellery boxes, wooded wines and so on. Our pick? These unisex sunnies from Hout Couture will ensure that your partner only has eyes for you….
Dru Sunglasses in Rose | Hout Couture | R1 800 to R2 499
10th anniversary: tin/aluminium
We bet you could get really creative with this one (have a look at Tintown’s site), but what better way to celebrate a decade together than drinking to it? So you’re probably wondering how we got from metal to wine. Well, Meerlust Estate offers a variety of fabulous wines in – wait for it – a collector’s tin.
Meerlust Rubicon Collector’s Tin 750ml | wine.co.za | R470
15th anniversary: crystal
While crystal is a really versatile item (from jewellery to glassware), we bet this will make the ultimate anniversary gift to celebrate 15 years of togetherness – a weekend at the Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge in Mpumalanga. Four-star accommodation, an in-house spa and restaurant, breathtaking views of the countryside … need we say more? Click here for their rates.
20th anniversary: china
We know you’re technically not supposed to give something for the home, but these new bone-china plates from Carrol Boyes’ ceramic range are too lovely to resist. They’ll look just as stunning on your dining-room table as they will on a wall.
Carrol Boyes Dancer Side Plates | Yuppiechef.com | R799 for a set of four
30th anniversary: pearl
You can’t go wrong with something timeless like pearl earrings, but we’ve got our hearts set on this gorgeous Lorus ladies’ watch with its mother-of-pearl face. (And yes, mother-of-pearl and pearl are two different things, but we like to think outside the, um, jewellery box.)
Lorus Ladies’ Mother-of-pearl Dress Watch | NetJewel | R1 200
Happy anniversary!
Image: iStock/isayildiz
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