1st 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 1st wedding anniversary in countries around the world…

Traditional Gift – UK		Paper
Traditional Gift – US		Paper
Traditional Gift – Spain		Paper
Traditional Gift – Germany		Paper
Traditional Gift – Russia		Cotton
Traditional Gift – France		Cotton
Traditional Gift – Italy		Paper
Flower Gift		Pansy
Gemstone Gift		Pearl
Modern Gift		Clock

About 1st Wedding Anniversaries

Congratulations on your 1st wedding anniversary. You might very well be thinking to yourself, where did that time go? It only seemed like yesterday you were making a commitment to spend the rest of your life with the one you love.

In many countries (including the UK and US) the 1st wedding anniversary is traditionally known as the Paper Anniversary. One gift idea, sure to be cherished, would be a love letter or poem written on quality paper.

A new trend is for partners to give each other adult colouring books, certainly unusual although perhaps a little too out of the (paper) box for some people.

How to Celebrate a 1st Anniversary

This is, in many ways, the most significant wedding anniversary you will celebrate – the first of anything invariably provides an indelible snapshot of wonderful memories for your photo album.

After 12 months together as a married couple, you will know your partner, and their interests, much better. So how about combining a romantic holiday together, in an exotic setting, with an excursion and associated activity that accommodates your shared tastes and preferences.

Perhaps visit a cultured pearl farm by the sea and a take a skin-diving course together so you can later search for your own precious gemstones.

Closer to home, modern-day gifts for him or her could be a concert ticket or a night at the theatre, followed by a candlelit dinner near a river or lake. Clinking Champagne glasses as the flickering flames reflect off the glistening waters – with oysters as a sumptuous aperitif, of course.

If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk in my garden forever.” Quoted by: Alfred Lord Tennyson

1st Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Him, Her… and the Couple

Clocks are also an excellent gift with modern connotations but traditional appeal. Whether it is an antique clock, a novelty timepiece or an alarm set, the tick-tocking sound will start marking off the wonderful times in your new marital relationship – helping to register the many great memories since you exchanged your vows.

Gold is – perhaps surprisingly – a typical precious metal for those celebrating their 1st wedding anniversary. Pearls are the traditional jewellery: a smooth, lustrous gemstone representative of the first 12 months of your married lives together.

The classic pansy is a relatively small and fragile flower, which marks 1st wedding anniversary celebrations in perfect fashion. Like a pansy, the beginning of a marriage can prove to be quite delicate.

1st Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Him

What should I buy my husband on our 1st wedding anniversary?

A first year gift for him can be romantic yet simple.

We have a selection of anniversary gifts to suit all budgets and interests.

1st Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Her

What should I buy my wife on our 1st wedding anniversary?

Gift ideas for your wife to celebrate your first year together can follow the traditional paper theme, or be more modern – such as a cool clock, a chic watch or some elegant pearl jewellery.

To mark this special day, plant some flowers in your garden or in a planter (the traditional 1st wedding anniversary flower is the pansy). Or maybe put together a framed print of another treasured moment together. Check out our other gift suggestions below…

1st Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Him & Her

Travel & Experience Gifts

• Location visit (romantic and passionate)
• Tickets (concert, sports event, museum, musical, etc.)
• Short romantic hotel stay
• Restaurant (candlelit dinner for two)
• Glamping break for two
• Spa day for two

Jewellery

The traditional 1st wedding anniversary gemstone is pearl.

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

Something Different & Unique

• Learn a new craft or take a course involving a shared interest.
• Enjoy a surprise holiday getaway.
• Initiate a traditional celebration (theatre, adventure day, etc.).
• Arrange an animal experience day (falconry, zoo, horse riding).

So why were certain materials chosen as presents to symbolise specific anniversaries? To a certain extent, the reasons and meaning are clouded in mystery.

However, it is generally believed that increasingly durable gifts were chosen for successive years to represent the progressive strengthening of the marriage relationship. As the years go by, gifts increase in strength and value – from paper to diamond.

In whatever way you decide to celebrate your 1st wedding anniversary with your partner, make sure it is accompanied by oodles of romance and love.

A Short Ride Through the History of Horses

Scientists believe that horses originated from much smaller animals, and have been evolving over the past 50 million years.

• Horses are believed to have been domesticated 5,500 years ago – being ridden and milked on the northern Kazakhstan plains. 
• However… the Brahmins of India claim to be the first horse riders, while the Chinese refer to historical reports that they started riding horses as early as 4000 BC (or BCE). 
• Domestic horses have an average lifespan of 25 years, although a 19th century horse named “Old Billy” was said to have lived for 62 years.
• Currently, it is estimated that there are around 60 million horses in the world.
• A male horse is called a stallion and a female horse is a mare, while their young counterparts are a colt and filly, respectively.
• Horses can trot shortly after birth, and when older gallop at up to 44 km/h (27 mph).
• The fastest recorded sprint speed of a horse was 88 km/h (55 mph).
• Horses can sleep both lying down and standing up.
• They are herbivores (plant-eaters).
• Horses have larger eyes than any other mammal living on land, and – because their eyes are on the side of their head – their potential vision is 360 degrees.

Next Anniversaries

2nd wedding anniversary
3rd wedding anniversary
4th wedding anniversary
5th wedding anniversary
6th wedding anniversary