
Traditional, Modern and Symbolic 40 Year 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 40th wedding anniversary in countries around the world…
Traditional, Modern and Symbolic Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift – UK | ![]() | Ruby |
Traditional Gift – US | ![]() | Ruby |
Traditional Gift – Australia | ![]() | Ruby |
Traditional Gift – Canada | ![]() | Ruby |
Traditional Gift – Spain | ![]() | Ruby |
Traditional Gift – Germany | ![]() | Ruby |
Traditional Gift – France | ![]() | Emerald |
Traditional Gift – Italy | ![]() | Ruby |
Flower Gift | ![]() | Nasturtium |
Gemstone Gift | ![]() | Ruby |
Modern Gift | ![]() | Ruby |
Discover the 40th year anniversary
- About 40th Wedding Anniversaries
- How to Celebrate a 40th Wedding Anniversary
- Common Questions About the 40th Wedding Anniversary
- 40th Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Him
- 40th Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Her
- 40th Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Couple and Parents
- 40th Wedding Anniversary Wishes & Quotes

Sea Glass Love Birds [Etsy]
“We are better together”. A wonderful framed unique design of a family of birds, also including a sweet quote, all made with genuine sea glass. The sea glass and pebbles are collected by the artist from the beautiful Mediterranean beaches in Southern Spain.
This makes a lovely frame as a unique anniversary gift.
About 40th Wedding Anniversaries
Words can barely pay sufficient tribute to the incredible milestone of celebrating a 40th wedding anniversary. Well, perhaps one… as this is popularly known as the Ruby Anniversary.
The ruby symbolises love and passion, unquestionably much-needed qualities for a couple who have spent 40 years together. It is one of the most coveted gemstones of all, and within its heart is said to lie a fire that grows brighter with each passing year – just like the flame of a 40-year marriage.
How to Celebrate a 40th Wedding Anniversary
One of the flowers representing a 40th anniversary is the nasturtium, which symbolises patriotism, conquest, victory and impetuous love – all important attributes for a couple spending four decades together.
Another flower is the gladioli, a symbol of strength of character and of attracting love. Both these flowers bloom in a multitude of colours, so – whether you are the special couple celebrating your 40th, or you have been invited to a 40th wedding anniversary party – a bouquet of 40 ruby red gladioli would make a stunning and thoughtful gift.
And the marvellous rose became crimson, like the rose of the eastern sky. Crimson was the girdle of petals, and crimson as a ruby was the heart.” Quoted by: Oscar Wilde

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40th Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Him, Her… and the Couple
Planning to host a party for your ruby anniversary celebration? Consider having table decorations comprising both gladioli and nasturtium, accompanied by a music playlist of songs that were popular the year you exchanged your vows.
If you have never taken a second honeymoon before, the 40th anniversary is a great time to rectify that oversight. If you already have, maybe it’s time for a third honeymoon!
Bearing in mind the significance of this celebration, jewellery is always a favoured gift for the 40th wedding anniversary. So maybe a heart-shaped ruby pendant for her and some ruby cufflinks for him? Or matching eternity rings mounted with rubies…
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 40TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Q: What is the 40th wedding anniversary called?
A: The 40th wedding anniversary is know as the Ruby Wedding Anniversary.
Q: What is the 40th wedding anniversary gemstone?
A: The 40th wedding anniversary gemstone is the Ruby. The ruby’s deep red colour also has ties to love, passion, and raw emotion. Long ago, humans believed that rubies contained drops of Mother Earth’s blood.
Q: What is the 40th wedding anniversary symbol?
A: The 40th wedding anniversary is symbolised by the Ruby, representing love and passion, it also shows how a couple celebrating their 40th anniversary are still committed to each other.
Q: What does the 40th wedding anniversary mean?
A: The 40th Ruby wedding anniversary means unquestionably much-needed qualities for a couple who have spent 40 years together.
Q: What are the traditional and modern gifts for a 40th wedding anniversary?
A: The traditional gift for a 40th wedding anniversary is the Ruby, with the modern gift also being a Ruby.
Q: What is the 40th year anniversary flower?
A: The 40th wedding anniversary flower has two, the nasturtium and the gladiola. Both symbolise loyalty and the strong devotion between a long-term married couple.
40th Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Him
What can I buy my husband for our 40th wedding anniversary? We’ve featured some of our top gift ideas below to help you find that perfect gift for your husband or partner. Check out our suggestions below:

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Yes, 40 years is a long time, and you are both now at a gracefully maturing age, but don’t be fooled into thinking your partner is past his active days. Buy him a gift that reflects his interests and activities, and help him stay young in both body and mind. Here are some further gift ideas to help you find that pefect present to celebrate your ruby anniversary:

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40th Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Her
What should I buy my wife on our 40th wedding anniversary? After 40 years you may be getting a little stuck with what you buy your wife for your ruby anniversary. Here are some of our top gift ideas to help you buy the ideal gift for your partner:

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Celebrate your 40th wedding anniversary with our great gift ideas. If you can’t find exactly what you are looking for here, remember we have hundreds more gift suggestions to choose from on our other anniversary pages and in our gift shop.

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40th Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Him, Her, Parents… and Other Couples
What to buy your parents or your grandparents for their rub wedding anniversary? After all these years, you may have run out of ideas as to what to buy. We’ve picked out some of our top gift ideas below to help you chose that perfect gift. Check out the gift ideas below:

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Additional Travel & Experience Gifts
If you’re still not sure what to buy as a gift for the ruby anniversary, here are some alternative ideas that may help to find that perfect travel or experience type gift:
- Location visit
- Travel and activity gift vouchers
- Adventure days
- Food and drink (luxury dining for two)
- Chocolate-making master class.
- Escape to the country (many locations to choose from)
- Luxury spa day for two
- Concert or cinema
- VIP foodies festival
Now for Something Different & Unique
- Plan a tour of Europe’s most alluring cities, some you’ve visited in years past, and others you’ve never had the chance to explore – until now.
- If you both enjoy golf, why not head further afield, to the Bahamas to play a round on the Ruby Golf Course?
- If you prefer to stay closer to home, book a luxury hotel getaway – and enjoy a relaxing and revitalising range of spa treatments during your stay.
- Never too late… how about signing up for dance lessons together?
- Arrange a weekend away to listen to some live jazz.
Clearly, a 40 yeare wedding anniversary is something truly special, and just about as good a reason as any to celebrate in grand style.
Hopefully, no need for you to organise a celebration party, as there’s a strong chance your children (and grandchildren?) are already hard at work arranging a surprise gathering of friends and family.
Therefore, after 40 wonderful years together, now would be the perfect time to make plans to re-visit a place that brings back treasured memories from your early days together.
Whatever you decide, this day will already be full of love and romance. So just pop the cork on a bottle of vintage Champagne and savour the remarkable experience of having been together for four decades.
Next Anniversaries
41st wedding anniversary
42nd wedding anniversary
43rd wedding anniversary
44th wedding anniversary
45th 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.
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