Fifth Anniversary Gifts
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A fifth anniversary is one of the first major benchmarks in a marriage. It commemorates a bond that has grown to be strong and stable and one that has evolved through hard times and celebrations. This resilience and strength is reflected in the traditional gift of wood. Silverware, the modern gift, is representative of unity through the gathering of family and friends over food. Lastly, there are always flowers and jewelry, but did you know that champagne is also recommended for giving on fifth anniversaries? Choose one with the same year that you were married, preferably with a great name that will make it more memorable. You may also
like to pick a wine from a place that you visited together.
Wood Gifts
Wood is a majestic gift that can take on just about any form (except for clothing). It can make gifts both large and small, classic or contemporary, pricey or inexpensive. Choosing which direction to take has a lot to do with your spouse and what he or she is most interested in. The following are some ideas to lead you towards choosing the best fifth anniversary gift. If you want something simple, such as jewelry or flowers, one way of keeping it traditional is to get a wood box in which to put the jewelry. Flowers for this anniversary are not that impressive (daisies and pansies), so it would be best to get a nice wood vase to put them in if that's the way you want to go. Alternatively, if your spouse is a gardener, you could buy the seeds and a nice planting box or pot.
Outdoor
Outdoor gifts can be large or small, fun or serious. They can even be romantic if paired the right way with other gestures, such as dinner or spending time together. Patio furniture and other large items should be approached cautiously as they can be dull if the other person is not into spending their Sundays lounging outside with a good book, hosting backyard parties or the outdoors in general. It can also seem less romantic, so try to give a reason for the gift, such as a way to spend weekends sipping lemonade and playing chess together on the new furniture.
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Wicker Furniture |
From patio sets to chaise lounges, willow rockers |
If you are both light at heart and enjoy lawn games, such as Bocce or badminton, give croquet a shot. It can make for a nice time together either at home or in a park. It's also great if you have children. |
Set the mood by putting several tiki torches up around the backyard or patio and create a romantic evening together over a dinner prepared by a professional chef. |
If your spouse is an avid bird watcher, gardener, or even just enjoys seeing birds around, then a bird house is the perfect gift. People who collect them may also like one to keep indoors as decoration. |
Other Outdoor Options
- The man or woman with a thing for golf might appreciate a set of new golf clubs
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- An option that involves a larger investment is building a wood deck. It would be a nice place to have some romantic dinners together.
- A fence might be something you both need, but it's hardly romantic. Make sure that giving a new fence isn't a big mistake before going down that road.
- A walk in the woods is inexpensive and romantic, but a weekend getaway to a secluded wood cabin is even better.
Indoor
Indoor gifts have even more reach than outdoor gifts. They start with big furniture, good for complimenting the bedroom and living room, and wind up being very small to accent every room in the house. There is even wood jewelry and kitchenware. Consider your spouse's tastes above all. If you can discover a way that this gift will help you spend more time together or to elaborate on an activity that you both enjoy participating in, all the better.
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Think armoires |
Antiques can range from large and bulky to small and light. This is great if your spouse collects or decorates with antiques. |
From tall to small, wine racks can hold the basics to several cases. If you want to get intense, consider a wine cellar. |
Choose from a picture of the two of you, your spouse's favorite piece of art, or a mirror and put it in a nice wood frame. |
From mantle clocks |
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Backgammon |
More Indoor Options
- A breadboard
- A dollhouse
- A wooden massager
- A musical instrument made of wood, such as a guitar
, cello, or violin, is an excellent choice for the musician, or if someone wants to take up an instrument.
An Eco Approach to Wood Gifts
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For those who would rather keep trees around rather than cutting them up for commercial purposes, may enjoy taking their fifth anniversary as a chance to plant a tree. You can pick from any variety, but certain ones may have more meaning than others. For example, an oak, which is one of the strongest types of wood, can represent solidarity, strength, and endurance, whereas a pine may symbolize long-lasting love, loyalty and stability. Choose a Japanese Maple if you were married in fall and want to be reminded of your passion for each other every year when the leaves turn a vivid red hue. Bonsais are another way to go, and they don't require any planting on your part, but they do require that your spouse have a green thumb. Learn more about tree types and what types of trees grow best in your area at the Arbor Day Web site.
For a more romantic alternative, but not quite as eco-friendly, is kindling and fire wood. Sure it sounds silly at first, but pair it with a moonlit bonfire together roasting smores, enjoying a fine bottle of wine, sleeping under the stars or on a weekend camping trip and you have yourself one thoughtful gift alternative that you can both share.
Silverware Gifts
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Silver Trays |