Wooden anniversary gifts – The story behind the fifth anniversary’s traditional material.
The giving of a wooden anniversary gift to your loved one on your fifth anniversary is a symbolic gesture that started in the twentieth century.
Wooden rings made with mulga and ebony.
Wood has long been associated with strength, love and wisdom, and in many cultures has been given as a gift between lovers. Today wood marks one of eight important milestones in a couple’s partnership.
The origin of wooden anniversary gifts in western countries dates back to Germany in the 1600th century. Norway too has a historical association between wood and marriage. Newlyweds often ate from intricately carved wooden spoons which were linked together. These exquisitely crafted pieces symbolised their connection.
Wooden cufflinks made with ebony, pink ivory wood, tagua nut and kingwood.
For those of you who are interested, here’s a list of the other seven traditional anniversary gifts.
- First anniversary – Paper
- Fifth anniversary – Wood
- Tenth anniversary – Tin
- Fifteenth anniversary – Crystal
- Twentieth anniversary – China
- Twenty-fifth anniversary – Silver
- Fiftieth anniversary – Gold
- Sixtieth anniversary – Diamond
It’s said that the order of traditional anniversary materials is drawn from the idea of durability, from paper in the first year, to diamonds in the sixtieth. It’s a beautiful concept, and longevity is something very important to my own approach to making wooden jewellery that has substance and is lasting.