With summer upon us, the wedding season is about to go full on. For those who’ve previously tied the knot and jumped the broom, however, the sunshine usually signals something else: a forthcoming anniversary politely waving for attention.
Which got me thinking: what does an anniversary actually mean? I know it’s a year on and a celebration of mutual love – but is it more than just a wedding day’s poor cousin?
In many ways, I think it is. So I was delighted to find this quote from W. Somerset Maugham, the eminent British playwright, and author, which neatly sums up why:
“We are not the same persons this year as last; nor are those we love. It is a happy chance if we, changing, continue to love a changed person.”
In short, anniversaries are pretty amazing events – things that defy the odds, are quite magical in their own right and deserve due reverence and revelries…
Your anniversary is more than just a milestone
When you think about it, an anniversary is so much more than just a milestone or a day in the calendar. That’s way too small a definition in my humble opinion. As our literary friend highlights, in a world where the only constant is change, two people staying together and remaining permanent is something worth taking time out to consider, recognise and celebrate.
The perfect excuse to stop and take stock
It’s also nice to stop for a while and get back in touch with the bedrock of our lives. Just for a day or so, you can let the world get on with whatever it’s doing while you recognise the significant other in your life…and they you. What could be lovelier than reminiscing about why you fell for another in the first place and how you arrived at where you are today?
So what’s your story?Whether it’s a one-year anniversary or a fiftieth, each has its own story. The latest chapter in that story is just as important and unique as the circumstances under which you first fell for one another’s respective charms. It’s not every day you get the excuse to think
It seems I’m not alone in believing anniversaries In America, for instance, gifts gain in value |
Traditional UK Anniversary Gifts | |
| 1 | Cotton | |
| 2 | Paper | |
| 3 | Leather | |
| 4 | Fruit & Flowers | |
| 5 | Wood | |
| 6 | Sugar | |
| 7 | Wool | |
| 8 | Salt | |
| 9 | Copper | |
| 10 | Tin | |
| 12 | Silk & Linen | |
| 15 | Crystal | |
| 20 | China | |
| 25 | Silver | |
| 30 | Pearl | |
| 35 | Coral | |
| 40 | Ruby | |
| 45 | Sapphire | |
| 50 | Gold | |
| 55 | Emerald | |
| 60 | Diamond | |
As you can see from the list alongside, in the UK it’s a mixture of both. But hey, who says you have to stick to the rules. I’m a firm believer in going freestyle when it comes to affairs of the heart : )
Ancient Romans did it, Victorians in love did it…
Whilst there’s evidence of anniversary gifting way back to ancient Roman times, it was in 18thCentury Germany and Victorian England that it started to become common practice. Silver and gold became associated with 25thand 50thwedding anniversaries in Germany as friends presented the wife with a garland crafted from the appropriate precious metal.
Later, in Victorian times, the notion of marrying for love rather than social position or prestige started to become the norm. (Shocking, I know.) As such, the idea of reinforcing romantic ties through tokens of love and affection became popular. And so anniversary gifts became part and parcel of everyday life.
A gift for each and every year
Nowadays, there’s an anniversary gift representing just about every year of marriage or partnership. Whilst it’s perhaps tempting to see this is part of the increasingly commercial world we live in, I’m not so sure.
Going back to our friend W. Somerset Maughan’s take on anniversaries, they are exceptional and deserve special treatment in my opinion. It doesn’t have to be a silver garland handcrafted in the forge and presented lovingly to a lucky recipient (but if you’re reading Mr. Beau Sheep…). Ideally, it should be something that’s a little out of the ordinary in acknowledgment of your special day.
Little Beau Sheep loves a good anniversary
With that in mind, may I gently point you in the direction of the Little Beau Sheep collection? Whilst wool is traditionally a seventh-anniversary gift, there are some good reasons Little Beau Sheep makes the perfect romantic gesture…
Natural, pure and made with 100% love, each and every item offers a fun way to mark the occasion of when you first got together. Nothing puts a smile on the day like our cute sheep dryer balls and essential oils, which are the most popular anniversary token in our flock of woolly-based gifts and goodies.
If you’d prefer to steer clear of laundry on your anniversary – and I admit it could be misinterpreted – then offer a more indulgent alternative. Full of naturally softening lanolin, this comforting collection is a lovely way to show how much you care.
Whatever you choose as a gift and however you choose to celebrate your next anniversary, may I take this opportunity to wish you and your loved one many more in the years to come. Here’s to anniversaries!
