Do you know someone who is about to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary? Fifty years is a big milestone and deserves to be celebrated with special care.Traditionally, the 50-year mark is celebrated with gold, topaz, and violets.
Gold was chosen to represent 50-year anniversaries because it symbolizes optimism and wealth. White gold can be used to celebrate 50 years, but yellow gold is more traditional since it’s easily recognized as gold.
If you can’t afford to buy someone gold jewelry, don’t worry because there are other options. When you need a 50th wedding anniversary gift for a couple, here are some affordable ideas.
1. A custom golden anniversary gift
Anytime a special occasion rolls around, customized gifts are a great option. Personalized gifts make people feel amazing because they show that someone took the time to think of them as an individual, rather than just giving them a box of “stuff” grabbed without much thought from the store.
In addition to the wine and snacks you’re probably already including, consider gifting a personalized golden anniversary plaque. These crystal plaques are timeless and inscribed in gold to represent the traditional 50th anniversary.
With these plaques, there’s a spot to engrave the couple’s names along with a special, personalized message. You can also place the couple’s special date at the bottom and the names of people presenting the gift.
2. A personalized meal at a restaurant
Food makes an excellent gift for any occasion. However, when you’re celebrating a 50th anniversary, not just any meal will do.
Find out what restaurant the couple enjoys visiting and call to find out if you can arrange something special for them. For example, see if you can reserve a table and have the chef make a personalized meal experience. Stop by the restaurant ahead of time to decorate the table and surrounding area. If the couple isn’t easily embarrassed, ask the staff to announce their anniversary out loud.
See if you can bring in a live band or have the restaurant play some special music just for the occasion. These are just a few ideas, so get creative and think about how you can create an extra special dining experience.
3. A surprise party
Surprise parties aren’t just for little kids. Adults celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary will be thrilled to have a surprise party. However, if they’re retired and don’t leave the house often, you’ll need to get crafty to set up a surprise party for them.
The easiest way is to set up the party at a friend’s house. Just before the party, have a plan to pick up the couple, telling them you’re going somewhere else. On the way out, tell them you have to first stop in and see a friend who wants to give them a gift. That way, they won’t stay in the car and will walk right into their surprise party.
4. Gift cards
Gift cards are perfect for everyone, as long as you know what kind of stores the couple prefers. If you’re not sure where they shop, you can’t go wrong with general gift cards like a Visa gift card, an Amazon gift card, or one from the local grocery store.
5. A vacation
Who doesn’t need a vacation these days? If the 50th anniversary couple hasn’t been on a vacation in a long time, or if they’re trying to save money, chip in with some friends to get them a vacation.
You don’t have to send them far away. Sometimes spending the weekend at a local 5-star hotel with a sauna and massage room is the perfect vacation.
6. A full house cleaning
Hiring a house cleaner for someone who doesn’t have time to clean their own home is one of the best gifts you could give. Everyone wants a clean house, but doing the work is exhausting and it can be expensive to hire a cleaner on a regular basis.
Find a reputable house cleaner and pre-pay for a cleaning job. When you present the gift to the couple, let them know they can connect with the cleaning company to set the date and that everything is already paid.
7. A customized golden plaque for parents
Another cool plaque idea is this personalized 50th wedding anniversary gift for parents. Parents who are celebrating 50 years of marriage deserve a gold medal; it’s not easy being a parent. A customized golden plaque isn’t a medal, but it’s the next best thing.
Show your appreciation for the couple and acknowledge them for being parents. Being a parent is a thankless job and they will feel even more appreciated when you acknowledge that.
8. A personalized gift with quotes or scripture
When you give a custom plaque as a gift, the recipient will treasure it forever. Most people will keep their plaque in a spot where it’s visible at all times. This makes plaques with quotes or scripture the perfect gift.
Does the couple have a favorite author or poet? Do they have a favorite verse from the Bible? If you know what they’d like, have it inscribed on the plaque. If you’re not sure what authors, poets, or scripture they enjoy, find an uplifting, positive quote you think they’d like.
Browse our selection of personalized 50th anniversary gifts
If you’re still looking for the perfect anniversary gift for a special couple in your life, browse our selection of awards. We offer a variety of crystal plaques in all shapes and sizes that can be customized with personal messages, names, and dates.
The 50th anniversary – also known as the golden anniversary – is a very special occasion. Fifty years is an incredibly long time to remain married and couples who make it this long deserve to be celebrated. If you have a couple in your life celebrating this amazing milestone, give them a plaque that will make them feel loved and honored every time they walk by or glance at your gift.
