Anniversaries
| Couples often keep the anniversary cards they give to each other, and the resulting collection becomes a chronicle of their love over time, according to Hallmark consumer research. |
| 50th anniversary cards are popular and have been since 1991 when World War II couples began reaching their 50-year milestone |
| A Hallmark wedding-vows renewal card was first offered in 2001, reflecting the trend in vow renewal ceremonies. |
| Traditional anniversary gifts include:
1st – paper; 5th – wood; 10th – tin; 15th – crystal; 20th – china; 25th – silver; 40th – ruby; 50th – gold; 60th and 75th – diamond. |
Product Features
- More than 360 Hallmark anniversary cards address a variety of relationships including to husband or wife, and to family members and their spouses such as grandparents, parents, daughter or son, granddaughter or grandson, sister or brother, aunt and uncle, and niece or nephew.
- Hallmark anniversary cards also address stepfamily relationships.
- Hallmark offers specific milestone cards for 1st, anniversary and in five year increments from 5th to 75th anniversaries. One card has a concealed wheel that can be turned to reveal the appropriate anniversary number in a die-cut window on the front of the card.
- A wedding-vows renewal card marks this special event in a couple’s marriage.
- Hallmark Gold Crown® stores offer a variety of anniversary gifts including albums, guest books, an anniversary mug set that says “I Do” and “I Still Do,” 25th, 40th and 50th anniversary photo frames, 25th and 50th anniversary memory books, and candle sleeves for 25th and 50th anniversaries.
- Hallmark wedding/anniversary gift wrap comes in classic white and ivory colors dressed up with gold, silver and pearlized finishes, embossing, glitter and more. Jumbo gift bags are perfect for large gifts such as coffeemakers and other kitchen electrics, towels and linens. Gift enclosures and gift trims will add the final finishing touches to the perfect gift for the couple.
- Party Express From Hallmark paper party supplies help celebrate anniversaries. Some specifically mark 25th or 50th anniversary. In addition to traditional round plates, square and heart shapes also are available in a variety of colors and patterns.
- An extensive collection of thank-you notes enables the celebrated couple to say thank you to those who helped them mark their special day.
Celebration History
Celebrating anniversaries has always been a popular custom. Early reasons to celebrate were linked to cycles of life: seed-time, harvest-time, the changing of seasons, and life events – the wedding, for example. The anniversary of the wedding day became a legitimate reason to celebrate.
According to Hallmark research, the custom of associating silver with the 25th wedding anniversary and gold with the 50th wedding anniversary appear to have originated in the Germanic region of Middle Europe. The silver anniversary included a husband giving his wife a silver garland when they had been married 25 years.
Currently two diamond anniversaries are celebrated – one at 60 and one at 75 years. The 75th anniversary is the original diamond anniversary and the 60th was added when Queen Victoria (English Empire Monarch) celebrated her Diamond Jubilee on her 60th anniversary of accession to the throne in 1897.
In Stores
Hallmark anniversary cards and gift wrap are available at Hallmark Gold Crown® stores nationwide and wherever Hallmark products are sold. A variety of anniversary gifts and accessories also are available at Hallmark Gold Crown stores. Use the store locator on Hallmark.com to find the nearest Hallmark Gold Crown store.