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After 16 years, they still burn for each other. They’ve fanned a spark into a flame and tended the fire carefully. And those fireworks they share deserve to be recognized and celebrated, don’t they?The traditional gift is wax (think candles, wax seals, and more) and the modern gift is silver holloware. (metal serving pieces like bowls, serving trays, or teapots). The gemstone (Peridot) and color (silver) associated with the 16th anniversary also provides lots of gifting opportunities for gorgeous jewelry, sentimental trinkets, and other accessories they’ll love.
To help, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite gifts, from unexpectedly cool wax items to silver holloware that that’s both practical to luxurious, We promise you’ll find something that will make them light up.
Read on for the best 16th anniversary gifts.
What to look for in a 16 Year anniversary gift
You certainly don’t have to follow the gift-giving guidelines for the sixteenth anniversary, but the traditional gift (wax) lends itself to creative interpretation, and the modern gift (silver holloware) offers an opportunity to buy small items that your loved ones will actually use. The gemstone (peridot) and color (silver) associated with the sixteenth anniversary also leave you with a lot of opportunities to buy gorgeous jewelry and accessories or cute trinkets that they’ll love.
The traditional gift, wax
Wax is, of course, closely associated with candles; their flames represent the passion partners feel for one another. This does not, however, limit your gift options as you may think. There are plenty of wax-related gifts for lovers of beauty products, spa days, coats, shoes, bags, crafting, and more. So, feel free to think outside the box when searching for a “traditional” gift.
The modern gift, silver holloware
Holloware refers to metal serveware and includes an array of items like bowls, serving trays, teapots, and more. The only exception to this category are flatware and utensils. Silver holloware is a symbol of longevity and representative of time spent sharing meals together. Traditionally, it was made of sterling silver—today, it’s much more common to give silver-colored holloware, which is often made of stainless steel core.
When buying a holloware gift for someone, consider their tastes and needs. If they love antiques (and if you have the budget), you might consider looking for a vintage piece that actually is made of sterling silver. If they prefer modern pieces, you might look for a well-designed, high-quality piece made by a contemporary designer. You should also think about what they need. If they love to entertain, they might need a large beverage tub or pitcher. If they enjoy small family gatherings, you might consider a small serving bowl or even a champagne bucket for a romantic dinner.
The gemstone, peridot
Many people aren’t familiar with peridot, but it’s a beautiful, green gemstone with a distinctive, chartreuse hue. It has long been thought to be a source of strength, cheerfulness, balance, health, and peacefulness, all of which are incredibly beneficial to any marriage. If you’re shopping for someone who loves jewelry and other metal accessories, a peridot piece will be a lovely addition to their collection.
The color, silver
You can buy so many incredible gifts that are silver-colored or made of silver like jewelry, picture frames, and dinnerware. You could also repurpose a silver trophy or medal commemorating the “world’s best partner.” Consider wrapping your gifts in silver paper too, if you want to nod to a 16th anniversary theme.
Ultimately, you’ll want to choose a gift that will have meaning for your loved one—an activity they’ll enjoy, a household item they’ll make use of, or a token of affection that they’ll cherish.
Meet the Expert
Ariane Moore is based in Los Angeles and is the senior design editor for Hunker.
Why Trust Brides
Mckenzie Eggers takes gift-giving seriously, and she knows the practice can be a meaningful act of care and an opportunity to show someone you listen to them, see them, and value them. For example, her best friend used to complain that her feet were always cold. So, Mckenzie got her a pair of heated socks for her birthday to keep her feet nice and toasty.