Milestone Anniversary Gift Basket Ideas
Sources differ on when couples began exchanging anniversary gifts —it may have been as early as Ancient Rome—but we have hard evidence beginning in 18th century Germany. On their 25th anniversary, the German couple's friends often gifted the wife a silver wreath. As a 50th wedding anniversary gift, a couple got a gold wreath.
The traditions moved into the English-speaking world in the 1800s, when marrying for love became popular.
Milestone anniversary gift lists became widespread in the 20th century, though they've changed several times. Of course, marketing had a great deal to do with their proliferation and alteration, but etiquette experts also weighed in.
All that said, chances are you're here for anniversary gift basket ideas. So, let's discuss gift suggestions for milestone anniversaries.
Special Details to Consider for Anniversary Gifts
In addition to a traditional gift, wedding anniversaries have special colors, flowers, and gemstones or precious metals.
When choosing an anniversary gift for your boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, or a couple, consider adding touches reflecting the item or any other relevant elements to the product.
1st Anniversary Gift Basket Ideas
- Gift: Paper
- Color: Gold
- Flower: Orange blossom or pansy
- Gemstone/Metal: Gold
Paper as the traditional first-anniversary gift makes a congratulatory card perfect for this occasion. You could include the couple's favorite quote, a line from their wedding vows, or a memory from their wedding and decorate the card with gold accents or the anniversary's flowers.
Remember, all of Hickory Farms' wedding anniversary gift baskets, like our gold-detailed California Gourmet Wine Gift Basket, can include a note.
5th Anniversary Gift Basket Ideas
- Gift: Wood
- Color: Blue and pink
- Flower: Daisy
- Gemstone/Metal: Sapphire
- Gift: Wood
- Color: Blue and pink
- Flower: Daisy
- Gemstone/Metal: Sapphire
The fifth anniversary's traditional gift is wood, making Cheese Favorites & Board Gift Set or other cheese boards perfect. Just as wood represents the strength and deep roots of your marriage, this cheese board and its knife are made to last.
10th Anniversary Gift Basket Ideas
- Gift: Tin or aluminum
- Color: Silver and blue
- Flower: Daffodil
- Gemstone/Metal: Diamond
A common way to celebrate the 10th anniversary is with a "ring upgrade," meaning a bigger diamond. However, you're not limited to going with the gemstone. You can pick out an anniversary gift basket with silver or blue accents or a metal container, like the Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Bottle Gift Box that comes in a silver box.
15th Anniversary Gift Basket Ideas
- Gift: Crystal
- Color: Red
- Flower: Rose
- Gemstone/Metal: Ruby
Though it's been 15 years, your marriage is still sparkling—hence crystal being the traditional gift for this anniversary. Consider a new set of crystal glasses and a red wine anniversary gift basket for the couple. The red wine matches the year's color, flower, and gemstone. We suggest our Hearty Bites & Wine Gift Basket.
20th Anniversary Gift Basket Ideas
- Gift: China or platinum
- Color: Green
- Flower: Daylily
- Gemstone/Metal: Emerald
China was traditionally the 20th-anniversary gift, representing the relationship's beauty and delicacy.
However, platinum has largely replaced it, as this represents the strength of the relationship.
Since this year's theme is green, you could pick an anniversary gift basket for him that includes some of that color. The Cheers to You Wine Gift Basket may be perfect for this.
25th Anniversary Gift Basket Ideas
- Gift: Silver
- Color: Silver
- Flower: Iris
- Gemstone/Metal: Silver
The 25th anniversary is all about silver—even some shades of iris flowers have a silver tint in certain lights. To fit this theme, a fantastic anniversary gift basket for a couple could be the Silver Oak Wine Gift Basket.
You could also go with a selection of gourmet food this year, as hitting 25 years of marriage is worthy of only the best.
50th Anniversary Gift Basket Ideas
- Gift: Gold
- Color: Gold
- Flower: Violet
- Gemstone/Metal: Gold
As with the 25th anniversary, the gift, color, and metal for the 50th anniversary are all the same: Gold. You'll never find a better reason to throw a party than someone's 50th anniversary, so go all out on the gift baskets and snacks to share with the couple's loved ones.
Start with the California VIP Wine Gift Basket, which has a little bit of everything—just like a half-century marriage would have. The Dom Perignon Champagne Gift Basket is ideal as well, as it has hints of gold, and nothing says "celebration" quite like a bottle of Dom Perignon.
Hickory Farms has a wide array of anniversary gift baskets to choose from.
Whether you're shopping for an anniversary gift for a couple or your significant other, you can use the traditional themes, colors, flowers, and gemstones or metals to guide you in your search.
While these traditions refer to marriage, you could also use them to inspire your anniversary gifts for your boyfriend or girlfriend.
As the icing on the cake (and we do have cakes!), you can ship our products to anyone you're sending your love from afar. Wish your favorite couple a Happy Anniversary with a tasty gift this year.