If you're a traditionalist at heart, you might be searching for just the right gift for your spouse or favorite couple. Look no further. But how did the tradition of wedding anniversary gifts begin? When did copper become the gift for 12-and-a-half years of marriage? Anniversary Gift 1st Paper 2nd Cotton 3rd Leather 4th Fruit/Flowers 5th Wood 6th Sugar 7th Copper/Wool 8th Bronze/Pottery 9th Pottery/Willow 10th Tin 11th Steel 12th Silk/Linen 13th Lace 14th Ivory 15th Crystal 20th China 25th Silver 30th Pearl 35th Coral 40th Ruby 45th Sapphire 50th Gold 55th Emerald 60th Diamond

A German Tradition

The tradition of exchanging wedding gifts dates back to 18th century Germany, when wives were presented with a silver wreath on her 25th anniversary and a gold wreath on her 50th wedding anniversary.

The tradition didn’t catch on in English-speaking nations until later in the 19th century, during the reign of Victoria, whose husband Albert, Prince of Hannover, brought many of his German traditions with him to England.

Marrying for Love

Victorian England also ushered in a new concept in match-making: the idea of marrying for love. Because a marriage based solely on love ran a much higher risk of breaking up, people celebrated those that lasted with symbolic gifts.

By the mid- to late-1800s, reference sources like The (Old) Farmer’s Almanac and Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable included complete listings of materials and their corresponding years -- sugar at one month, paper at a year, tin at 10 years, copper at 12-and-a-half, and so on.

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