Many of us stitch samplers to commemorate special anniversaries. Here's info on which anniversary is which, in case you forget (I know I will!).

Gems

20 - platinum (technically not a gem, I know; maybe choose something else?)
25 - silver
30 - pearl, diamond
35 - coral, jade
40 - ruby
45 - sapphire
50 - gold
55 - emerald
60 - diamond, yellow diamond (again! who can have too many diamonds?!)
65 - blue sapphire
70 - platinum
75 - diamond
80 - diamond, pearl
85 - wife's birthstone

For anniversaries other than the "milestone" ones, the tradition is to use the gem of the previous milestone. For example, for the 42nd anniversary: use ruby. Or, choose whatever you like!

Flowers

Anniversaries also have associated flowers.

1 - carnation
2 - lily of the valley
3 - sunflower
4 - hydrangea
5 - daisy
6 - calla lily
7 - freesia
8 - lilac
9 - bird of paradise
10 - daffodil
11 - tulip
12 - peony
13 - chrysanthemum
14 - dahlia
15 - rose
20 - aster
25 - iris
28 - orchid
30 - lily
40 - gladiolus
50 - yellow rose

I suppose the same tradition of "intermediate" anniversaries applies here. (Note: I don't know why the 28th year has aspecified flower, when others between 25 and 30 do not.)

Traditional Gifts

Here is another list of anniversaries and gift type traditionally given. Maybe you like the "topic" of these better? I note that not a one of them is chocolate - - maybe that's because -every- anniversary is a chocolate anniversary!

It sort of sounds like these are sort of the "traditional" ones, but not quite. I will keep poking around and see if I can find the old-fashioned, traditional ones.

1 - paper
2 - cotton
3 - leather
4 - fruit and flowers
5 - wood
6 - candy (ok, it's close enough)
7 - wool
8 - bronze
9 - pottery
10 - tin (this is sounding like an archaeologist's anniversary list!)
11 - steel 12 - silk, colored gems, pearls
13 - lace, furs
14 - ivory, gold jewelry (Of course, nobody gives ivory, anymore!)
15 - crystal
16 - sterling holloware (platters, gravy boats, bowls, tea services, etc.) 17 - furniture
18 - porcelain
19 - bronze
20 - china
21 - brass
22 - nickel
23 - copper
24 - opal, silver plate (that is, not sterling silver)
25 - silver
30 - pearl
35 - coral
40 - ruby
45 - sapphire
50 - gold
55 - emerald
60 - yellow diamond
65 - blue sapphire
70 - diamond, gold
75 - diamond, pearl
80 - oak
85 - wine

Yvonne Craddock sent me the English traditional/new. This list looks like the "traditional ones," I think. Yvonne noted that where her list shows iron for year 6, she'd likes the candy version better! Ha! Don't we all? Thanks, Yvonne.

1 - paper/clocks
2 - cotton/china
3 - leather/crystal and glass
4 - fruit and flowers/appliances
5 - wood/silverware
6 - iron/wood
7 - wool and copper/desk sets
8 - bronze and pottery/linen and laces
9 - pottery and willow/leather
10 - tin and aluminum/diamond jewelry
11 - steel/fashion jewelry
12 - silk and linen/pearls
13 - lace/textiles
14 - ivory/gold jewlery
15 - crystal/watches
20 - china/platinum
25 - silver/silver
30 - pearl/diamond
35 - coral/jade
40 - ruby/ruby
45 - sapphire/sapphire
50 - gold/gold
55 - emerald/emerald
60 - diamond/diamond

copyright 1998-2013, Martha Beth Lewis
Contact me about reprint permission.