The Perfect First Anniversary Gift

Comment Written by jenny on June 11, 2010 – 5:00 am

The tradition of presenting gifts made of a certain material is thought to be based on an old Germanic tradition that goes as far back as the Middle Ages.

“The practice of giving peculiar gifts on various wedding anniversaries originated in Central Europe. Among the medieval Germans it was customary for friends to present a wife with a wreath of silver when she had lived with her husband twenty-five years. The silver symbolized the harmony that was assumed to be necessary to make so many years of matrimony possible. On the fiftieth anniversary of a wedding the wife was presented with a wreath of gold. Hence arose ‘silver wedding’ and ‘golden wedding.’ “  – Source: George Stimpson, Information Roundup (1948), ElegantAnniversary.com

The Victorians took this concept and formalized it further to create the traditional order we know of today (see here for a  full list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_anniversary)

However, a gift of paper seems completely un-romantic.  That is, unless you put some thought into it!

Remember the past year and look forward to the year ahead

The first year of marriage can be both exciting and challenging.  It might have been a breeze or it might have been a struggle, but either way, you should celebrate how far the two of you have come.  The first anniversary is a perfect time to reflect on the year that just passed, but also to look ahead to the year that is coming.

That’s why a great first anniversary gift made of paper is a photo calendar of your wedding!  It’s been one year since your wedding and while the excitement of the wedding is over, it doesn’t mean you can’t relive it.  Using the photos from your wedding, you can create a gorgeous photo calendar for your spouse.

Photo Source:  Zazzle (http://www.zazzle.com/)

There are plenty of tools available online to help you make a calendar with your digital photos.  Some provide software that allows you to edit and print your calendar from home.   Others let you edit online and have it professionally printed and sent to you.  You can also take your digital photos to many Walmart stores across the country and have your calendar made while you shop!

Here are a few resources for making photo calendars:

http://www.zazzle.com/custom/calendars
http://www.createphotocalendars.com/
http://www.apple.com/ilife/iphoto/print-products.html
http://photos2.walmart.com/walmart/storepage/storePageId=Calendars+NEW

If you’re not married yet, this is one reason why you should definitely get the digital rights to your photos from your professional photographer AND collect the candid shots from your guests.  Having a supply of photos to choose from will let you make the most personal and thoughtful anniversary gift ever.

-Jenny