
Fifty years is a long time. It would be a long time for a business to have existed or a product to be on the market. It is especially worthy of recognition when it describes the number of years a marriage has endured and flourished. This is an achievement that few can claim and it is a golden opportunity for those couples.
A half century of marriage denotes experience, trust, cooperation and grace. It is symbolic of a couple who have committed to themselves, the institution of marriage and their families that their relationship will stand the test of time. The 50th Wedding Anniversary gets special attention because it is immediately recognized as an achievement and commitment that is unique.
Anniversaries all have a symbolic substance that they are named after and which provides a theme for celebrations or gifts. As a marriage reaches longer and longer milestones, the underlying substance that represents that length of marriage reflects greater value. The golden anniversary is no exception.
Gold symbolizes greater value than silver and is a fitting substance to represent 50 years of marriage. Accepted worldwide as a source of real value, gold is seen as being more valuable than paper money.
Ironically the substance that represents the first anniversary is paper. The golden wedding anniversary is symbolic of pure gold and gold is the fitting symbol for the 50th wedding anniversary.
The golden wedding anniversary gets its name from an early German custom. After 50 years of marriage, the husband would place a ring of gold garland or a wreath of gold onto his wife's head. This tradition was also performed on the silver anniversary. Then and now, the 50th wedding anniversary is an achievement that deserves all the attention it gets.
Birthday gifts represent a form of congratulations and Christmas gifts are a holiday tradition, but a gift for a 50th anniversary shouts 'well done' for commitment, beating the odds and representing a role model to family and friends.
The easiest approach to an anniversary gift for a 50th wedding anniversary couple is to purchase an item made from gold. This is the traditional approach and you just can't go wrong going this route. Every time the couple is in the presence of that gift, its meaning and symbolism will be clearly remembered and appreciated.
Good examples of gold gift ideas include a formal portrait of the couple or a certificate or custom poem framed in a gold frame. A gold clock, pen set or gold coins in a presentation box are other ideas that will be lasting reminders of the event.
Beyond the gold gifts are gifts that are more personal to the couple celebrating a 50th wedding anniversary. Articles that remind the couple of the time period when they met will certainly bring back some wonderful memories. Music from the era or popular films will both help return the couple to those early days when they met and married.
Recognizing the couple's favorite hobby or pastime, and buying a gift that can be used for that pastime, is sure to be appreciated. An anniversary present that is personal and useful is always certain to be cherished. Personalized anniversary gifts like a wall plaque, champagne glasses, picture frame, table top sculpture or porcelain plate with gold trim are all ideal, unique ideas.
A couple's golden wedding anniversary offers the perfect excuse to show that couple how much you value their commitment to each other. An anniversary gift that rewards this commitment provides as much joy to the giver as it does to the recipient.
When it comes to a reason for celebration, a couple's 50th wedding anniversary has to be at the top of the list. Fifty years of marriage and devotion is certainly cause for a gala event marking the occasion. Ideas for 50th Anniversary parties range from theme events to formal dinners, barbeques to pool parties.
Some couples will choose to take a low key approach to the big event, but others will allow friends and family to mark the occasion with a real celebration. The organisers have to determine the married couple's preferences and then decide how they are going to approach the event; a small gathering, a dinner at a favorite restaurant or renting a facility for a larger event.
The invitations are one of the first challenges and offer lots of opportunity for creativity. A picture of the anniversary couple when they got married can be featured on the cover with an updated picture on the inside. The cover of the invitation can ask if the viewer knows who the couple is. Invitations can be part of a theme that includes cultural elements from the time the couple was married. These can include music, movies, products and movie stars. Invited guests can include the members of the original wedding party as well as other original wedding guests.
Some couples will pass on anniversary gifts, while others will take in every aspect of the occasion and its significance. This means that anniversary presents can be a part of the event, which offers the giver the challenge of traditional or contemporary choices. The party organizer should provide a separate table for gifts that is prominently exhibited. Some of the golden anniversary wrappings will become part of the decor.
Every design element at a 50th anniversary party should be gold. There can be contrasting colours included, such as with balloons, to provide a consistent colour theme. Balloon weights, table center pieces, seating cards, table glitter and streamers should all be trimmed in gold at the very least. This extends to the couple's champagne glasses.
When the 50th wedding anniversary is a toned down event, a list of close friends and family can be assembled for a dinner out at the couples' favorite restaurant. Decorations can be organised with the restaurant ahead of time to carry over a theme to the dinner surroundings. Big event or small, any celebration of a golden wedding anniversary is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to recognize the commitment of two people.
John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe and Jimmy Stewart were big Hollywood stars in the fifties and they can reappear at a themed golden anniversary party. Cut-outs of these famed performers can stand among the other decorations to the delight of the anniversary couple and guests. This is only one idea when an anniversary celebration takes on a theme.
Johnny O'Keefe and Elvis were big music entertainers in the '50s. Their music and images would bring back memories of dances and old time radios to those who dated and married during this era of great music.
With the sound of Mr. Sandman reverberating through the party, a 50's themed party or Hollywood themed party can take the anniversary couple and their guests back on a journey of memories. Whether the surroundings look like a Sock Hop or Drive-In, the result will be fun and good times for all. And what better way to remind the anniversary couple of the days when they first fell in love. A music themed party can make for the perfect 50th anniversary.
A '50s or Hollywood theme begins with the invitations and carries right on through to the napkins and party favours. Everything is available for these specialty events and found on the Internet.
The violet is the symbolic flower of the golden wedding anniversary. The violet is seen as representing faithfulness and virtue. For this reason, violets should be part of the decor of any 50th anniversary party or gathering.
Although it may not provide for a very extravagant meal, the food eaten on the anniversary couple's first date can be a source of great memories. This could be one of the primary choices for the event meal. It may be a hit with many of the anniversary couples' contemporaries.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with throwing a 50th anniversary party around the theme of a golden anniversary. The resources for accomplishing this theme are many and varied. Gold decor items, table decorations, streamers and glitter are all readily available. Gold balloons and balloon weights and gold-trimmed glasses will round out the theme.
Just as people who buy gold are optimistic that it will go up in value, people who celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary have reason to be optimistic that their marriage will continue to endure.