1st Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas

To some people, making it to a 1st year wedding anniversary may not seem like much of an accomplishment. Then again, we live in a society where many marriages are measured in months, days, or, in Britney Spears' case, mere hours. The 1st wedding anniversary is definitely something to celebrate. Of course, there is the hope it is the 1st wedding anniversary of many.

So, what is the best way to honor and celebrate a 1st wedding anniversary? Men in search for gift ideas for women should start with the basics:  flowers and a card. Men can never go wrong with these gift ideas. It is smart to choose flowers that will suit the wife. If he does not know his wife's favorite flower, then he can choose her favorite color. He can always choose pansies, the 1st wedding anniversary flower; she will be impressed with his knowledge and research.

Of course, flowers and a card are only a start. A real gift is in order, as well. Gift ideas for men and women can always follow the guidelines for 1st wedding anniversary gifts. Traditionally, the gift for the 1st anniversary is paper. Gift ideas for women include fancy or personalized stationary, a framed portrait, or her favorite board game. Paper gift ideas for men for the 1st wedding anniversary include tickets to a concert or sports event, a signed or early edition of his favorite book, or a fun puzzle.

The modern gift for the 1st wedding anniversary is clocks. This suggestion is pretty straight forward, but there are many options. Consider buying a wife or husband a new watch, a grandfather clock or a mantle clock. For women, men can never go wrong with jewelery. If the wife already has a nice watch, consider a pearl bracelet or pearl earrings; pearls are the 1st wedding anniversary gemstone.

It is most important to keep the husband or wife in mind when choosing a 1st wedding anniversary gift. Personalized stationary may seem like a great idea, but if she has horrible penmanship and prefers email, then it may not be the most thoughtful. Likewise, many men would die for court-side tickets, but if he is more of a music man, then tickets to the symphony would be more appropriate. It is also imperative to remember paper and clocks are only 1st wedding anniversary suggestions. Nowhere is it required a husband or wife buys their beloved a gift that falls into these two categories. Cliché, but true; it's the thought that counts.

So celebrate the 1st anniversary away. Keep in mind, far too many couples never make it to a 1st wedding anniversary. Toast yourselves and pledge many more years of marital bliss to come.


Sources:
"Exotic Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas." Anniversary Ideas. 1998-2006. 14 August 2007. http://www.anniversaryideas.co.uk/idea.asp?Yr=1&am p;Sid=1.

Stritof, Sheri and Bob. "Top 10 Traditional 1st Year Anniversary Gifts—Paper." About.com. 2007. 14 August 2007. http://marriage.about.com/od/1stweddinganniversary /tp/1annivtrad.htm.

Hancock, Stephanie. "Setting the Tone of Marital Bliss." Happy Anniversary.com. 1999-2007. 14 August 2007. http://www.happyanniversary.com/anniversaries_cele brated/01/setting_tone_marital_bliss.html.