Traditional, Modern and Symbolic Anniversary Gifts & Symbols
Below is a list of both traditional and modern gift materials, as well as classic flower and gemstone symbols, which mark a couple’s 16th wedding anniversary in countries around the world…
| Traditional Gift – UK |  | No Traditional Gift |
| Traditional Gift – US |  | No Traditional Gift |
| Traditional Gift – Australia |  | No Traditional Gift |
| Traditional Gift – Canada |  | No Traditional Gift |
| Traditional Gift – Spain |  | Ivy |
| Traditional Gift – Germany |  | Sapphire |
| Traditional Gift – France |  | Sapphire |
| Traditional Gift – Italy |  | Ivy |
| Flower Gift |  | Pink Roses |
| Gemstone Gift |  | Peridot |
| Modern Gift |  | Silver Holloware |
Page Index
- About 16th Wedding Anniversaries
- How to Celebrate Your 16th Wedding Anniversary
- Common Questions About the 16th Wedding Anniversary
- 16th Anniversary Gifts for Him
- 16th Anniversary Gifts for Her
- 16th Anniversary Gifts for Them
About 16th Wedding Anniversaries
As there is no traditional gift or symbol associated with the 16th wedding anniversary in the United Kingdom or United States, neither is there an official “popular” name for this year’s celebration.
We have therefore dubbed it the “Sweet 16 Wedding Anniversary”, as we believe many couples will like the fact this harks back to an age associated with fun, excitement and evolving pleasures.
How to Celebrate a 16th Wedding Anniversary
Sweet 16 all over again! What a fantastic wedding anniversary to re-live some of your earliest memories. Perhaps not exactly the same memories as your loved one, all the way back to when you were both 16 and still (in most cases) didn’t know each other, but nevertheless to an age when you started to appreciate the importance of finding the right companion for a future life of married bliss.
So this year you need to pull out all the stops and feel like you really are 16 again: young, dynamic and care-free – and now also happily familiar with the infinite joys of marriage.
When love came first to earth, the Spring spread rose beds to receive him.” Quoted by: Thomas Campbell
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Common Questions About the 16th Wedding Anniversary
Q: What is the 16th wedding anniversary called?
A: Although the 16th wedding anniversary does not have a traditional symbolic name, we have called it “Sweet 16”.
Q: What is the 16th wedding anniversary gemstone?
A: The 16th wedding anniversary gemstone is peridot, one of the few gemstones occurring in only one colour (green).
Q: What is the 16th wedding anniversary symbol?
A: The 16th wedding anniversary does not have a traditional symbol; however, we suggest you choose the modern gift option of silver holloware for guidance.
Q: What is the 16th wedding anniversary colour?
A: For the 16th wedding anniversary we have a choice of colours: green, pink or silver.
Q: What are the traditional and modern gifts for a 16th wedding anniversary?
A: The modern gift for a 16th wedding anniversary is silver holloware – which can include serving pieces and tableware, or silver jewellery for a personal gift.
Q: What is the 16th year anniversary flower?
A: The 16th wedding anniversary flower is a pink rose.
16th Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Him
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Continuing on the “Sweet 16” theme, your partner might like his tastebuds to be titillated by chocolates from our selection of gifts. Or maybe he has a more savoury palate – or is a keen sports fan.
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16th Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Her
Spring flowers, pink roses and delicate innocence… these are what mark a 16th celebration. You wife will be over the moon when you present her with a bunch of beautiful pink roses and the modern international 16th wedding anniversary gift of silver holloware.
This may not sound all that exciting after 16 years of marriage – giving your wife a silver sugar bowl or milk jar as a present – but you can transform the idea into something truly special.
How about an elegant silver cake stand or tea pot with an “I love you – Happy 16th wedding anniversary” message engraved on it? You can then both indulge in some delicious cupcakes presented on the new cake stand, followed by a celebratory cup of Earl Grey tea – or a glass of chilled Champagne.
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The gemstone popularly associated with a 16th wedding anniversary is peridot, which is olive green in colour and often mistaken for an emerald. Finding an attractively designed necklace or bracelet with a stunning peridot stone makes a beautiful gift for her on your anniversary. Even better, it’s not an expensive stone – so it will be an affordable gift for any budget.
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16th Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Him & Her
Perhaps you would like to combine your resources and treat yourselves to a combined anniversary gift, celebrating a romantic evening or weekend together? If so, check out more great suggestions below.
If you want to celebrate with a larger event, and the weather allows it, think about planning a garden party where you and your family and friends can all enjoy an afternoon tea together.
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After 16 years of marriage, you will no doubt have already enjoyed many exceptional dinners with your closest friends, so this could be an alternative “sweet” option to celebrate your 16th wedding anniversary.
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16th Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Parents
Looking for anniversary gifts for your parents can be fun but also a daunting task. Plus your budget might be on the low side – so here are some relatively inexpensive gift ideas for Mum and Dad.
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16th Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Friends
The same as with parents, buying the right gifts for friends on their wedding anniversary can prove to be a little complicated. For starters, you could always buy a gift that relates to their common interests or hobbies.
Alternatively, for something with the wow factor, maybe team up with other friends to buy the couple a gift they would never dream of getting themselves – or look for a luxury novelty gift.
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Travel & Experience Gifts
- Location visit
- Travel gift vouchers
- Special 16th wedding anniversary location and meal
- Candlelit wedding anniversary dinner
- Luxury afternoon tea (with cupcakes) for two
Jewellery
The traditional 16th wedding anniversary gemstone is peridot.
- Earrings
- Pendants
- Rings
- Necklace
- Tie Pin
- Cufflinks
Something Different & Unique
- Arrange a self-guided tour of the John Bull sweet factory in East Riding Yorkshire.
- Book an overnight hotel stay by the sea at Brighton, and stock up on sweet Brighton rock for the return journey.
- Make an online order for Finland’s famous salty “salmiakki” liquorice.
- Head to Rome for the weekend and visit the city’s Roseto di Roma rose garden.
Now it’s time to prepare the cupcakes, fill the teapot and place the peridot stone necklace next to the table settings as a surprise gift for the evening. Get the mix all right and you are bound to have a memorable celebration – with all the hallmarks of a stupendously sweet 16th wedding anniversary.
Next Anniversaries
17th wedding anniversary
18th wedding anniversary
19th wedding anniversary
20th wedding anniversary
21st wedding anniversary
About The Author
This page has been written by Justin Aldridge. Justin is passionate about helping couples to make their anniversary as special as possible. Justin enjoys being creative and coming up with different and inspiring ideas for couples to celebrate their anniversary in style each year.
I love your take on the 16th wedding anniversary. We will be having ours on the 10th November 2017.
Mine is today. Nice touch this year. Sweet 16
Mine is today