11th Wedding Anniversary

Traditional, Modern and Symbolic Anniversary Gifts

Below is a list of both traditional and modern gift materials, as well as classic flower and gemstone symbols, which mark a couple’s 11th wedding anniversary in countries around the world…

Traditional Gift – UK		Steel
Traditional Gift – US		Steel
Traditional Gift – Spain		Steel
Traditional Gift – Germany		Steel
Traditional Gift – Russia		Steel
Traditional Gift – France		Coral
Traditional Gift – Italy		Maple
Flower Gift		Tulip
Gemstone Gift		Turquoise
Modern Gift		Fashion Jewellery and Accessories

About 11th Wedding Anniversaries

After the excitement last year of celebrating your first decade of happy marriage, renewed congratulations for your 11th wedding anniversary. The steely resolve of your shared lives is highlighted during this year’s celebration, popularly known as the Steel Anniversary.

Steel is the traditional gift as it is one of the strongest, most durable metals in the world, and therefore a fitting symbol for the 11th wedding anniversary.  The cords binding your marriage together can no longer be broken easily – if at all. Strength and permanence define this milestone anniversary.

How to Celebrate an 11th Wedding Anniversary

One of the symbolic flowers for a 11th wedding anniversary is morning glory, which bursts into bloom in the morning sun and fades and dies in the afternoon.

It is a symbol of the single day each year when mythical lovers Chien Niu and Chih Neu could meet. According to the traditional Chinese tale, when the pair fell in love they angered the gods by neglecting their duties looking after water buffalo and sewing. They were punished by being separated on opposite sides of the Silver River, and only allowed to meet one day a year.

The other flower is the tulip, symbolising elegance, grace, perfect love and fame. Eleven beautiful tulips in a slender stainless steel vase would make an ideal anniversary gift.

11 Fun Facts about Tulips

Tulips are part of the Liliaceae family (also including lilies, onions, garlic and asparagus), and in total there are more than 150 species and over 3,000 different varieties. 

1. Tulip flower buds are almost perfectly symmetrical.
2. Tulips generally sprout a single flower bud, although some varieties have up to four on a single stem. 
3. They signal the arrival of spring, but bloom naturally for just three to seven days during the season. 
4. In spite of being especially identified with the Netherlands, tulips are actually a wild flower native to central Asia (Persia).
5. In the 16th century tulips came to the Netherlands via Turkey, where the name (“tulipan”) is a derivative of the turban (from the Persian word “delband”, in reference to the flower’s turban shape).
6. Tulips can be found in every colour of the rainbow except for pure blue varieties, and it is said that distinctive-coloured tulips have distinctive meanings. 
7. Red tulips, for example, symbolise love and (together with roses and chrysanthemums) are the most popular flowers to give to a partner on your wedding anniversary or other romantic occasion such as Valentine’s Day. 
8. Purple tulips represent loyalty and are for wishing someone a happy new start – hence their widespread use in bridal bouquets.
9. If you need to apologise to anyone, you can do it in style with white tulips, which symbolise respect and mean, “I’m sorry”. 
10. Tulips are edible (replacing onions in some recipes), and the petals make good garnishes if not treated with chemicals, but beware: the bulbs can be poisonous. 
11. Between 1634 and 1637, tulips reportedly cost nearly 10 times the average annual wage of a working-class man – and the period was popularly known as “Tulip Mania”.

Happiness is NOW! It isn’t tomorrow. It isn’t yesterday. Happiness is like a morning glory: yesterday’s won’t bloom again; tomorrow’s hasn’t opened yet. Only today’s flower can be enjoyed today. Be happy this very moment, and you’ll learn how to be happy always.” ” Quoted by Goswami Kriyananda

11th Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Him, Her… and the Couple

For a more personal anniversary gift, think about incorporating steel with the anniversary’s symbolic colour and gemstone, turquoise. The other 11th wedding anniversary gemstone is citrine – and both stones make extremely attractive fashion jewellery for both partners.

The stones can be set in stainless steel and fashioned into a beautiful arm band or tie-pin – creating truly one-of-a-kind hand-crafted treasures.

11th Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Him

What can I buy my husband for our 11th wedding anniversary?

Steel is a traditional gift symbol for this anniversary, but you can always opt for something different. Check out our other gift suggestions below and on our other anniversary pages.

11th Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Her

What should I buy my wife on our 11th wedding anniversary?

Buying gifts for a partner to celebrate your anniversary can be difficult at times, so here we offer you some invaluable guidance with our diverse range of suggestions.

11th Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Him & Her

Travel & Experience Gifts

• Location visit
• Travel gift vouchers
• Special 11th wedding anniversary getaway and meal
• Short romantic break 
• Beginners’ silver jewellery class in London
• Luxury spa day for two

• Test your metal with an adrenaline day.

Jewellery

The traditional 11th wedding anniversary gemstone is turquoise.

• Earrings
• Pendants
• Rings
• Necklace
• Tie Pin
• Cufflinks

Something Different & Unique

• Have a wine set engraved with your special date.

• Buy a beautifully hand-crafted steel sculpture.
• Enjoy a quiet romantic meal for two at a new restaurant in town.
• Arrange a weekend getaway to the Netherlands – home of the tulip.

Celebrate your 11th anniversary together with a bottle of chilled Champagne, bring out the wedding photos and video, and re-live that cherished day more than a decade ago now.

As always, simply enjoy your celebrations in a way that brings pleasure to you both.

Next Anniversaries

12th wedding anniversary
13th wedding anniversary
14th wedding anniversary
15th wedding anniversary
16th wedding anniversary