60th Wedding Anniversary Symbols, Gifts, and Ideas

Celebrating Six Decades Together

It is quite an accomplishment to celebrate a 60th wedding anniversary. Six decades together entails quite a marital journey, and the couple will typically be in their 80s or even older. Here are some 60th wedding anniversary ideas and symbols to help in choosing gifts associated with the 60th marriage anniversary.

Gifts and Symbols for the 60th Anniversary

The tradition of celebrating a 60th anniversary became popular after Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee. Before this event, the diamond was associated with the 75th anniversary.

The word diamond comes from the Greek "adamas, " which means unconquerable and enduring. Many also believe that the fire in the diamond symbolizes the constant flame of love. Indeed, this is a good symbol for this significant anniversary. As you may suppose, the gifts, colors, and gemstones associated with this anniversary are all linked to diamonds:

• 60th Anniversary Traditional Gift:Diamond

• 60th Anniversary Contemporary/Modern Gift:Diamond

• 60th Anniversary Gemstone:Diamond

• 60th Anniversary Color: Diamond white

• 60th Anniversary Flower:There are no flowers traditionally associated with this anniversary. Put together a bouquet with one different white flower for each decade together. There is also a lovely lavender thornless rose bush called "Diamond Anniversary" and another called "Diamond Wishes."

Ways to Celebrate Your 60th Anniversary

Use sparkly glitter or crystal rhinestones on flowers, cards, centerpieces, gift wrap, balloons, etc.

Those in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries can request a telegram from the queen or king on this anniversary, on your 65th, 70th, and any subsequent anniversary. For those in the United States, request a greeting from the White House . In Canada, receive a message from the Governor-General. If you are Roman Catholic, you can apply for a Papal blessing through your local dioceses.

Gift Suggestions

When considering gifts for the 60th anniversary, think twice before purchasing anniversary plates, jewelry, and knick-knacks, as many senior citizens are trying to reduce clutter and possessions.

Experiences are where memories are made. Dinner at a special restaurant, tickets to a show, a trip, coupons to help with chores, etc., will probably be more appreciated.

Gifts to buy include:

• Plan a romantic vacation to one of your favorite cities for your anniversary. Check out travel deals to Rome, Italy, on TripAdvisor.com .

• A new front-load washer and dryer will help keep your home tidy. 

• A comfy new mattress will give you and your loved one a better night's rest.  Buy the Casper Memory Foam Mattress on Amazon.com . 

• A new programmable slow cooker can be used to make home-cooked meals.  Buy a Crock-Pot Programmable Slow Cooker on Amazon.com .

• A programmable drip coffee maker lets you always have coffee ready in the mornings.  Buy the Mr. Coffee Programmable Coffee Maker on Amazon.com .

• A treadmill will keep you and your spouse in shape in the comfort of your own home.  Buy the Weslo Cadence Fold-Up Treadmill on Amazon.com . 

• A vacuum-cleaning robot will keep your floors clean with just one push of a button.  Buy the iRobot Roomba Vacuum Cleaning Robot on Amazon.com .

• Diamond-shaped crystal tumblers are perfect for making an old-fashioned or another bespoke cocktail in honor of the anniversary couple.

• Envelop the lovely couple in comfort with a quilt designed with diamond-shaped baffles.

• Purchase a diamond-patterned rug in diamond white.

• Get a subscription box for the couple all year—tea, coffee, knitting, bourbon, and more—there's a subscription box for practically every hobby.

• Plant a tree (or a grove of trees) in honor of the couple.
  

Organizations like the Arbor Day Foundation, a Living Tribute, and Seeds of Life will plant trees or groves to reforest areas depleted by forest fires or other environmental devastation. Depending on the organization, you can choose where the tree or grove will go, and some organizations, based on the donation, will create a plaque marking the spot.

Gifts to make include:

• Put together a CD or playlist with songs from the year you were married.

• Assemble a memory photo album with pictures highlighting 60 years together. Include the wedding, children, grandchildren, friends, trips taken together, homes lived in, etc. A nice addition is to include stories from children and friends.

• Create a time capsule of the wedding day. Include a list of popular songs, movies, news headlines, and events.

• Make a keepsake video featuring clips of friends and family extending special wishes for the anniversary couple.

• Create a custom family storybook; several companies (like StoryWorthy) develop a book-bound collection of the couple's memories collected over a year.

• Paint or hire an artist to illustrate the family home in a framed piece of art.

• Commission the creation of a star chart in honor of the wedding date; several companies (like Under Lucky Stars or The Night Sky) will create a framed star map tied to a given date and design the framed star map with poignant sayings, other highlights from that date, and more.

• Host a gathering of friends and family to celebrate the happy couple.