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 48th wedding anniversary in countries around the world…
| Traditional Gift – UK |  | No traditional gift |
| Traditional Gift – US |  | No traditional gift |
| Traditional Gift – Spain |  | Feldspar |
| Traditional Gift – Germany |  | Amethyst |
| Traditional Gift – Russia |  | Amethyst |
| Traditional Gift – France |  | Amethyst |
| Traditional Gift – Italy |  | Feldspar |
| Flower Gift |  | Aster |
| Gemstone Gift |  | Feldspar |
| Modern Gift |  | Optical Goods |
About 48th Wedding Anniversaries
You will no doubt want to celebrate your 48th wedding anniversary with a sumptuous dinner and a bottle of fine wine – quite possibly your 35,000th-plus meal together.
Well, at least theoretically if you always lunch and dine together, by now you could have shared that many meals, which equates to approximately four years of contentedly eating and chatting about the highlights and special moments of your day.
And there certainly are many highlights, because you have been married for 17,520 days or 420,480 hours or 25,228,800 minutes – that is, over 1,513 million seconds. During this time you would have spent, on average, 131,400 hours of snuggle time (aka sleeping), and surely by now know everything there is to know about each other.
How to Celebrate a 48th Wedding Anniversary
Many anniversaries have traditional gemstone and flower themes associated with them, but not so much for this 48th celebration – at least not universally around the world.
So that brings us back to eating – and celebrating with an intimate dinner for two at your favourite restaurant. Or simply relaxing at home with a favourite take-away meal and a bottle of chilled Champagne.
Surely the stars are images of love.” Quoted by: Philip James Bailey
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48th Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas for Him, Her… and the Couple
If you would also like to spend some time away from your usual home base, why not plan a short break based on the modern-day “optical” anniversary theme – to a planetarium, for example.
If you decide on optical goods as a 48th wedding anniversary gift, you could buy your partner some fashionable new prescription glasses, or a chic pair of designer sunglasses.
As there are no specific flowers or gemstones associated with 48 years of marriage, surprise them with their own personal favourite – always a thoughtful gesture.
48th Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Him
What can I buy my husband for our 48th wedding anniversary?
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Use our anniversary gift suggestions here to help guide you when selecting a gift for your partner. We also have many more ideas on our other anniversary pages.
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48th Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Her
What should I buy my wife on our 48th wedding anniversary?
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There are no restrictions at all for gift selections this anniversary… here are a few more stylish gift ideas with a hint of indulgence.
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48th Wedding Anniversary Gifts for the Couple… or Parents and Grandparents
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These gift ideas are ideal for all couples celebrating their 48th wedding anniversary – including parents and grandparents.
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Travel & Experience Gifts
- Travel gift vouchers
- Three-course candelit dinner (try that restaurant that has great reviews)
- Luxury afternoon tea for two
- Relaxing spa day for two
- Boutique hotel and wine tasting
Jewellery
The traditional 48th anniversary gemstone (in some countries) is amethyst.
- Earrings
- Pendants
- Rings
- Necklace
- Tie Pin
- Cufflinks
Something Different & Unique
- On the optical theme… unfortunately, the Hubble Space Telescope is not open to the public, but you could still plan a visit to a planetarium – for example, the largest in the world, at Nagoya City Science Museum (Japan).
- Visit L’Hemisfèric in Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences (Spain), to view spectacular digital astronomical projections.
- If travel is not an option this year, buy a telescope and share many contented hours star-gazing together.
After so many years – and meals – as a married couple, it is not so much what you decide to do to celebrate your 48th wedding anniversary as simply making sure you enjoy it together. And, as always, with plenty of love and a touch of romance.
Next Anniversaries
49th wedding anniversary
50th wedding anniversary
51st wedding anniversary
52nd wedding anniversary
53rd wedding anniversary
Thank heaven for your compilation. I do not have to waste any money on my wife this August!
Hope you are still together because this is not nice !
Celebrating our 48th in August and a thoughtful gift is a must. It doesn’t have to be expensive but just something to say “I get you and I care”.
OMG 48 years how the hell did we manage it
Well plenty of rows and making up after
Never let a previous row be brought again when it’s over it’s gone.
If you love you don’t hold spite(until the next time) but then cuddles bring the senses back to tranquility
Aren’t I a soppy old 80 year old
What lovely sentiments Paul and you are not a soppy 80yr old but very wise! I am just a foolish 72 yr old and my hubby 74yr old but will remember your words.
Janet
June 1 was our 48. He got me a dozen long stem roses and I got him a new shovel. One of the traditional gifts was Home improvement items and he needed a new one. He loves it. Pam
Our 48 anniversary is coming up. My husband is 70. I just turned 64. I do not know where the time has gone.
That’s wonderful! Hope you have a lovely 48th anniversary 🙂
after 48 years of marriage i would believe the closeniss and love and love -making would just be fantastic !!!!!c no disagreement , no fights , no disagreements !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sorry , i’m really shocked by what i’ve just read here that fights just continues !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we only live once !!!!!!!!!!! please stop the fighting !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHH PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s May 15, 2019 and our 48th. We looked at our wedding album and both remembered each moment. Two sons, two granddaughters later and it still feels like yesterday. We spent the day planting our veg garden in the beautiful sunshine and having dinner with son and granddaughter. Perfect.
Go figure- 48th anniversary and no special gift for 48th and…. it is covid 19th-we can’t go out. Guess I will need to have a pop up card Oh no!!!! Hallmark is closed for sending and signing cards. This would be amusing IF IT wasn’t so sad. Oh well-here goes a homemade card for 48th and good ol hugs and kisses for 5-13-20
I was so happy when she said “Yes” over 48 years ago to my proposal. We were just kids (19 yrs old). I was so in Love with her and so young. I knew she was the one. I was just a poor uneducated kid that just wanted someone to love and to love me for me. She is the best thing that ever happened to me in my life. I would not have made it this far if it wasn’t for her. Beautiful, smart, ambitious, and never gives up. Her words to our Children and Grandchildren “never say can’t – find a solution and move forward”. Luckiest man in the world.
That’s a lovely comment John! We wish you a very wonderful 48th anniversary 🙂