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Celebrating your 15th anniversary soon and have no idea where to begin your gift shopping? After spending more than a decade with your loved one, you want to get something special and personal but endless options online don’t necessarily make the hunt any easier. This is when the anniversary gift themes come in handy—they give you a starting point and you can tweak and modify your search from there.
The traditional gift for the 15th anniversary is crystal. Like your time-tested marriage, crystal is bright, clear, and long-lasting. Champagne glasses and crystal jewelry may first come to mind, but etiquette expert Lizzie Post says you can find modern, quirky gifts that still fit into the traditional theme.
Meet the Expert
Lizzie Post is the great-great-granddaughter of famed etiquette expert and author, Emily Post. In addition to being an etiquette and author herself, she is also the co-president of the Emily Post Institute.
Read on for the best crystal anniversary gifts.
What To Look For in a 15th Anniversary Gift
Purpose
Post says that one of the most important factors when shopping is to consider if the recipient will actually use and enjoy the gift. Sure, a set of fancy crystal wine glasses looks nice, but if your partner isn’t a wine drinker, the gift has no purpose.
“Whenever you are buying for someone else you want to keep them in mind. Beautiful stationery for someone that will never use it doesn’t make sense,” says Post. “Look for things that they will appreciate.”
While surprising someone with an unexpected present can be fun, there’s no shame in asking your partner if there’s anything they’ve been eyeing (even if it’s not a traditional anniversary gift!). They’ll appreciate your intention and attention to detail.
Symbolism
How do you buy an anniversary gift that follows the traditional anniversary theme yet still feels personal? Besides considering purpose, Post recommends going for symbolic and commemorative items. Not all gifts need to be practical and instead, you can look for something that highlights a significant memory. Framing an important picture you already have printed in a crystal frame can bring just as many smiles as a new piece of jewelry or accessory.
Why Trust Brides
Emily Cieslak is constantly reading and researching new products and gifts as a commerce producer for Dotdash Meredith. While interning at The Knot, she found her passion for writing about all things weddings and anniversary gifts.